The games were originally scheduled for September 26-October 4, but have been postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis and associated rules around public gatherings and social distancing.

The Transplant Games will now be held from April 10-17 next year, after the board of Transplant Australia acted on expert advice to postpone the event.

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"The health and wellbeing of our community is our priority," Transplant Australia chief executive officer Chris Thomas said.

"Postponing the games until 2021 will enable our members to focus on their health and safety within the comfort of their own home environment.

"By holding the games in April next year, we hope they will form a welcome respite from the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus in 2020."

Mr Thomas thanked Events Tasmania, the City of Launceston and Tourism Northern Tasmania for their "understanding and flexibility" in accommodating the postponement.

According to Transplant Australia, the Transplant Games seeks to demonstrate the "living proof" of the lifesaving importance of organ and tissue donation.

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Hundreds of transplant recipients participate in the games, which take place every two years and include activities ranging from athletics and swimming to ten-pin bowling and petanque.

The games will be held at venues including the Launceston Leisure and Aquatic Centre, the Silverdome, Symmons Plains Raceway and Royal Park.

Tasmania boasts the second highest rate of donor registration in the country - behind only South Australia - with 48 per cent of adults registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register. For comparison, the national average is just 33 per cent.

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