英格兰诺福克和萨福克地区的Anglian Combination League因极端干旱导致球场条件恶化，已决定将2026/27赛季的开始日期从8月初推迟至8月29日[1]。联赛主席Dale Brown表示，大多数俱乐部的球场已干硬如混凝土，这一决定是为了保护球员和工作人员的安全[1]。目前已有多场热身赛因球场条件取消，已进行的比赛也导致多人受伤[1]。
这一延期反映了英格兰当前面临的严重干旱状况。7月份成为英格兰自1836年有气象记录以来最干燥的月份[1]，英格兰和威尔士半数地区已宣布干旱[1]。应对水资源短缺，Anglian Water公司自7月11日起实施了禁水管禁令[1]。气象预报显示下周气温将达36°C，且无降雨迹象[1]。
The Anglian Combination League, which operates in Norfolk and Suffolk, England, has delayed the start of its 2026/27 season to August 29 to address hazardous playing conditions caused by an unprecedented drought [1]. League chairman Dale Brown explained that most member clubs' grass pitches have become rock hard due to extreme dryness, creating a safety risk for players and staff [1]. Multiple warm-up matches have already been cancelled, and injuries have occurred during fixtures that did take place [1].
The postponement reflects the severity of drought conditions across England. July marked the driest month on record since 1836, with half of England and Wales now under drought declarations [1]. The crisis has prompted water authority Anglian Water to impose hosepipe bans beginning July 11 [1]. Forecasts indicate temperatures could reach 36°C next week with no expected rainfall, offering little prospect of relief [1].