The WFDF said it was "simply not feasible" to plan cross-border tournaments due to the "varying regulations and restrictions" caused by the global health crisis.

All Continental Ultimate Championships have been cancelled along with the World Ultimate and Guts Championships in the Netherlands and the World Under-24 Ultimate Championships in Ireland.

The WFDF has also confirmed the postponement of the World Beach Ultimate Championships and the World Overall Flying Disc Championships – which were both scheduled to be held in the United States this year – as well as the 2021 World Team Disc Golf Championships in Croatia.

After all flying disc events were either cancelled or postponed last year, WFDF President Robert Rauch had hoped to see competitive action return in 2021.

But Rauch felt the "slower-than-expected" distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine was unable to ensure a return to a "new normal".

"The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present incredible challenges for the planning of international sporting events and especially for large championship events bringing athletes from countries across the globe," said Rauch.

"While the development of several safe and effective vaccines is good news, the limited availability and slower than expected distribution plan guidance by Governmental authorities suggests that a return to whatever our ‘new normal’ will be on a global basis is not going to occur until late this year.

"After taking into consideration all of the data available to us, in consultation with our event organisers, our review of World Health Organization and other international guidelines, the status of the distribution of a vaccine, and the advice of our medical team, WFDF has concluded that it will not be possible to run large-scale events in 2021 in a way that protects the health and safety of all participants, and it is not even clear that travel and other Governmental restrictions will be lifted until late in the year."

Rauch admitted the cross-border tournaments would be the "slowest to return" but was "hopeful" National Federations would be able to stage domestic competitions within the next six months.

"While athletes have been able to continue to participate in individual disciplines like disc golf, which grew exponentially this last year, we expect a gradual phase-in of team and large event activity, starting with personal training, socially distanced team practices, smaller local events, to full blown competitive events and tournaments," added Rauch.

Charlie Mead, chair of the WFDF Disc Golf Committee, confirmed the bidding process for this year’s regional team disc golf events would continue as planned.

"Once bid proposals are received on January 23, the WFDF will evaluate the hygiene concepts put forward by the bid candidates and will only proceed with regional events if safe and responsible to do so," added Mead.

In a separate statement, the WFDF revealed its "tentative" calendar for 2022, starting with the World Beach Ultimate Championships in April in the United States.

The US is then expected to stage the World Overall Flying Disc Championships in July.

There are also plans for the World Masters Ultimate Club Championships in either June or July while World Junior Ultimate Championships and World Ultimate Club Championships are both provisionally scheduled to be held in July or August.

Flying disc is due to feature at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham in America from July 7 to 17 before Croatia holds the World Team Disc Golf Championships in August.

A statement from WFDF added: "WFDF urges all member National Federations and participants in 2022 events to acknowledge that the calendar remains tentative at this time.

"WFDF will continue to monitor the situation and effects of the pandemic, including without limitation, governmental and travel restrictions, and may make alterations or changes as it deems advisable to protect the health and safety of all people."