Rain Forces Second Portsmouth Vs Ipswich Postponement

It was supposed to be one of those classic, high-stakes EFL Championship nights at Fratton Park. Portsmouth and Ipswich Town—two sides with very different ambitions, but both desperate for points—were set to battle it out under the floodlights on February 3, 2026. Instead, as fans made their way to the historic stadium, news broke that the match had been postponed. Again.

Persistent overnight rain had left the Fratton Park pitch waterlogged, and with more rain forecast right up until the scheduled 19:45 GMT kick-off, the ground was deemed unplayable. For the second time in a month, this fixture was called off—first for a frozen pitch back in early January, and now for water. The disappointment was palpable, not just for the teams, but for the fans who had already rearranged their lives, travel, and wallets for a game that simply wouldn’t happen.

“Following heavy overnight rain, this evening’s game away at Portsmouth has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch,” read an official Ipswich Town statement. “The decision was made following an agreement between the two clubs this morning, along with the EFL, with the Fratton Park pitch unplayable. The club pushed the EFL for a decision to be made as early as possible in order to give fans clarity regarding travel for this evening’s fixture. This was especially important given the events of last month, when the original staging was called off at late notice due to a frozen pitch, with supporters already en route to Portsmouth.”

For supporters, the news was more than just a minor inconvenience—it was a blow to their plans, their pockets, and their patience. Ipswich fan Tim Kenny was already deep into his journey when he got the word. “When I saw the messages I did think it was a bit of a wind-up, but then I had a bit of time in the queue on the QE2 bridge to let the anger subside a bit,” Kenny told the BBC. “I’m not sure now whether I’m going to just keep going and have a night out in Portsmouth with my nephew or turn around and go home. I’m not an expert but there’s got to be some kind of minimum standards for pitches, or sanctions if they can’t reach those standards.”

He wasn’t alone. Andy Cumbers, another Ipswich supporter, lamented the loss of his last day of annual leave and the mounting frustration. “I took a half-day off from my last day of annual leave, so I’ve lost that now and it’s frustrating,” Cumbers said. “It is unbelievable and I couldn’t believe it because I didn’t know the game was at risk at all – it makes it difficult to plan your life around. Portsmouth’s pitch is just not up to modern-day requirements for professional football, especially at this level.”

Paul Munnings, who had just booked a non-refundable hotel, counted himself lucky when the hotel agreed to refund him. “For the last game we left really early and had virtually arrived in Portsmouth when the game was called off. It can’t be that hard to put covers on if you know rain is forecast,” he remarked, echoing a sentiment shared by many fans who felt the club could have done more to protect the pitch.

Even local podcaster Craig Finbow, who presents the Blue Monday podcast, couldn’t hide his exasperation. “It’s not unknown in this country for it to rain a little bit, and we’ve managed to play football games up here, even amateur matches,” he said. “So you wouldn’t have thought there’d be two games cancelled for a waterlogged pitch in this day and age. I don’t think you’re going to get any [money back] from Portsmouth if they can’t afford to employ a few blokes with pitchforks to get the water off the pitch.”

The statistics behind the scenes were striking. According to Portsmouth FC, the average January rainfall in the city over the past five years has been 90mm. In January 2026, that figure more than doubled to a soaking 205mm. Before these two recent postponements, the last time Portsmouth had a home game called off due to weather was back in January 2013 against Notts County—a testament to just how unusual and extreme the conditions have been.

On the pitch, the stakes were high for both teams. Portsmouth, sitting 20th in the Championship, had just come off a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over West Brom. Every point mattered in their fight to avoid relegation. Ipswich Town, meanwhile, was riding high in fourth place, seven points off the pace of leaders Coventry and Middlesbrough, and squarely in the hunt for automatic promotion. The clash was billed as a key tactical battle, with Portsmouth’s direct, urgent style set to test Ipswich’s patient, controlled approach.

The rivalry had already been stoked by Ipswich’s hard-fought win in the first round at home, leaving Portsmouth eager for revenge. The anticipation for this match was intense, with both sets of fans and players eyeing it as a potential turning point in their respective seasons. As one pre-match preview put it, “Portsmouth will look to impose their rhythm and direct style of play, trying to unsettle their opponents emotionally and territorially, while Ipswich will try to slow the game down, take control of the ball, and strike at the right moments.”

But as the rain continued to fall and the ground remained saturated, all that tension and excitement fizzled away, replaced by frustration and uncertainty. The EFL Championship is renowned for its relentless, unpredictable drama, but few could have predicted that the weather would become the deciding factor—twice!

With a new date for the fixture yet to be announced, both clubs must now regroup and refocus. Supporters, too, are left waiting and wondering when they’ll finally witness this much-anticipated match-up. For now, the story of Portsmouth versus Ipswich Town is one of delays, disappointment, and the enduring unpredictability of English football—where even the best-laid plans can be washed away by the weather.

As they say in football, you can prepare for everything except the unexpected. For Portsmouth, Ipswich, and their loyal supporters, the wait for this crucial clash goes on, with hopes that third time’s the charm—and that the next chapter will be written on the pitch, not in the clouds.