rainout

Rainout is the cancellation or postponement of an outdoor event due to rain or unsafe weather conditions. The term is commonly used in sports, concerts, and other outdoor activities. A rainout can result from ongoing precipitation, lightning, high winds, or water accumulation that makes play unsafe or unplayable.

Decisions about rainouts are typically made by event officials, groundskeepers, or league administrators based on forecasts, current conditions, and safety guidelines. Common responses include delaying the start, halting play, covering fields with tarps, rescheduling for a later date, or canceling the event entirely. In many cases, if a game or event cannot be completed, it is postponed or declared a makeup date, rather than simply called off.

In sports, rainouts have specific procedures. Baseball and softball often use rain delays and may suspend a game to be continued later, or they may reschedule a makeup date. Soccer and football matches may be postponed or abandoned and either replayed or completed later, depending on the competition rules and time constraints. In cricket, rain can shorten or abandon a match, with outcomes determined by the competition’s rules for weather-affected play. Outdoor concerts and festivals may issue refunds or exchange tickets when weather makes attendance unlikely or unsafe.

Economic and logistical impacts include lost revenue for venues, travel and accommodation costs for fans, and potential changes to broadcast schedules. Safety considerations, including lightning risk and field integrity, are primary factors in rainout decisions.