Upcoming Event: How do I sort database by custom date field, but ignore past dates?

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I am using an events plugin and struggling to get my database query to be perfect. The query is on the event-single.php template. What I need the query to do:

  • Query the “events” custom post type for upcoming events
  • Sort by _event_start_date meta_key to show earliest date (nearest event)
  • Not display PAST events
  • If “current event”, show next nearest event

Here’s my current $args.

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<?php $args = array(
    'post__not_in' => array($donotrepeat),
    "post_type" => 'event',
    'meta_key' => '_event_start_date', // name of custom field
    'orderby' => 'meta_value_num',
    "order" => 'ASC',
    "posts_per_page" => 1
   );
?>

Defining $donotrepeat earlier 

$donotrepeat = get_the_ID();

So far, the query successfully

  • Queries custom post type
  • Ignores the “current” event
  • Sorts by earliest date.

I cannot figure out how to ignore ‘past’ dates though. There is another meta key ‘scope’ created by this plugin that contains values like ‘past’ and ‘future’ – so that could be promising.

I’ve tried using meta_query to sort through the past date issue, but I just can’t seem to get it to work. I think this is probably the way to go, but I’m open to other ideas. I’m sure this isn’t THAT difficult… can anyone help?

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1 comment

  1. You’re pretty close, but I wouldn’t be distracted by the ‘scope’ meta key. The following is untested.

    <?php
$args = array(
    'post__not_in' => array($donotrepeat),
    "post_type" => 'event',
    'meta_key' => '_event_start_date', // name of custom field
    'orderby' => 'meta_value',
    "order" => 'ASC',
    "posts_per_page" => 1,
    'meta_query' => array(
        array(
            'key' => '_event_start_date',
            'value' => date('Y-m-d'),
            'compare' => '>=',
            'type' => 'DATE'
        )
    ),
);
?>

    The meta_key is only present for ordering – meta_query controls the actual selection.

    Note that I left your posts_per_page as is, even though it will limit the selection to one record.