Ekka 2020 cancelled: 'Impossible to continue' in COVID-19 pandemic

This year's Ekka has been cancelled in the best interests of public health amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision announced on Monday marks the third time in the Royal Queensland Show's 143-year history that it has not gone ahead.

The Ekka, as well as other RNA events, normally injects $200 million into the state's economy.

The Ekka has been cancelled for the third time in its 143-year history.Credit: AAP

RNA chief executive Brendan Christou said it was impossible for the Brisbane event to continue as planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"From an RNA perspective, the health and wellbeing of the people of Queensland come before the Ekka and with the social distancing requirements as well as the announcement from the Premier last week that we will be a standby hospital, it is impossible for the Ekka to continue in 2020," he said.

He said the decision to cancel the event, which was set to be announced in June, was brought forward to give exhibitors, sponsors and volunteers plenty of notice.

"This is just the third time in the RNA's history that the show won't go ahead," he said.

"The first was in 1919 with the Spanish influenza, the second one was in World War II and the third one of course in 2020 because of COVID-19."

Mr Christou was hopeful that some competitions such as feedlot and carcass competitions could continue as they did not breach social distancing requirements.

However, he said efforts would shift towards keeping the exhibition alive virtually and preparing for Ekka 2021.

"So our focus now would be on creating innovative ways to connect the city and country through a digital means of course and we will be working on that and announcing those in the coming weeks," he said.

Mr Christou said the decision to cancel the event was sensible because of the uncertainty of if and when the showgrounds would be used as an emergency hospital for coronavirus patients.

He said this made the option of postponing the event unfeasible.

RNA chief executive Brendan Christou announces that the Royal Queensland Show will be cancelled for 2020.Credit: Jocelyn Garcia

"Over the past 144 years, the Brisbane Showgrounds have been used to help the community in times of need, including being used as a treatment centre in 1919 for those suffering from Spanish influenza to an evacuation centre for those impacted in the 2011 Brisbane floods," he said.

"The RNA is dedicated to providing all the assistance and support it can to government and health authorities in these ever-changing and uncertain times."

Mr Christou said there had only been on-site activity in the planning stage to assess infrastructure such as IT and telecommunication systems and inspecting commercial kitchens and facilities.

"We do have indoor facilities that have airconditioning and are well serviced but then again, they might use the marquees if they need to do some remote set up. We're not really sure at this stage," he said.

Mr Christou said anyone who had paid for Ekka entry and competition fees would receive refunds.

Key Ekka facts

• The first exhibition was held at Bowen Park in 1876
• The first Ekka ride - a merry-go-round - was introduced in 1877
• Sheepdog trials were held in 1889
• The first fireworks display occurred in the Main Arena in 1894
• Ekka was cancelled due to the influenza epidemic in 1919
• The show was cancelled in 1942 as the grounds were used as a staging depot during World War II
• Food traditions such as Ekka fairy floss, butter board sandwiches, strawberry sundaes and dagwood dogs were introduced in 1950
• Animal nursery at the Ekka introduced in 1964
• Ekka won awards in the 2013 International Association of Fairs & Expositions Awards