The 2020 Balmoral Show has been cancelled after attempts to explore alternative options failed to produce a workable solution.

The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) originally rescheduled the event for late August 2020, but Northern Ireland’s hallmark show has now been fully called off.

In a statement, the RUAS said: “Please be assured that we did not come to this decision lightly. However, after several meetings and the exploration of all alternative options, it became clear that we would have been unable to run the 2020 show on the rearranged August dates during these unprecedented times.

Disappointing news

“We understand that this news will be disappointing to many. However, as the global COVID-19 pandemic endures, we believe that as a society, we have an obligation to protect the health and wellbeing of all our staff, members, competitors, visitors, volunteers, trade exhibitors, sponsors, contractors and suppliers.

There are over 120,000 visitors to Balmoral Show each year. Organisers felt everything was stacked against them trying to run the show in August as farmers, businesses and visitors face financial uncertainty.

Balmoral Show plans to return next year and is scheduled to take place from Wednesday 12 May to Saturday 15 May 2021.