Concerns for the spread of COVID-19 in the United States has led organizers to cancel live audience attendance at this weekend's FInal Kombat. The late announcement includes the complete cancellation of Saturday's Last Chance Qualifier event, and a closed broadcast of the Top 16 tournament and reveals.

NetherRealm Studios issued an online statement Friday night via social media platforms [pictured below], offering a full refund on General Attendance and Last Chance Qualifier tickets. Attendees who incurred non-refundable hotel and airfare expenses can also seek compensation by contacting organizers at mk@intersportnet.com.

The Final Kombat Pro Kompetition Finals will go ahead as scheduled, pitting the Top 16 Mortal Kombat 11 players against one another in a live streamed finale. There will also be a previously announced broadcast of the first official Spawn gameplay trailer, and red band trailer for April's Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge animated feature.

The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to unprecedented global response in an effort to curb communal transmission. The BBC reports the virus has caused around 3,000 deaths since December 2019, but World Health Organization officials observe containment efforts successfully slowing the contagion.

Public safety precautions have already claimed several events, with this year's Game Developers Conference postponed and SXSW announcing its cancellation. Even James Bond couldn't beat the virus, delaying the release of No Time To Die by some seven months.

The late cancellation puts a crimp in Final Kombat, but the show will go on. Will you be watching live? Tell us in the comments below to share your thoughts and spread to the Mortal Kombat 11 forum for more.