Maria Luise Rainer, sports director for the International Luge Federation (FIL) has revised the 2020-2021 calendar due to travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

All the World Cup races will be taking place in Europe except the final which will be staged on the new track for Beijing 2022 in Yanqing in China.

Competing without spectators, the season - which begins in Innsbruck in Austria from November 28 to 29 - will feature races in men’s and women’s singles, doubles, team relay and sprint.

Altenberg, Oberhof, Winterberg and Königssee in Germany have been selected as World Cup venues along with Sigulda in Latvia and Innsbruck.

The highlight of the season is set to be the World Championships, which is scheduled to take place from January 29 to 31 2021 in Königssee after Whistler in Canada was unable to host the event due to COVID-19.

This will then be followed by the World Cup series final in Yanqing from February 19 to 21 2021.

A statement from FIL read: "Special conditions require special measures.

"In order not to endanger the 43rd World Cup winter of the FIL - during the worldwide pandemic with the coronavirus - extensive protective and hygienic measures were decided upon.

"According to the current state of affairs, there will be no spectators at the tracks.

"The number of participants, training runs, officials and media was severely restricted.

"The races will take place almost exclusively in Europe and under strict protection and hygiene measures.

"But all races will be broadcast on TV and/or can be watched live online."