January 10 – Hong Kong’s ambitious Kai Tak Sports Park project is entering its final stages, with the state-of-the-art facility expected to open later this year. The development, situated on the northwestern part of the former Kai Tak Airport, is set to redefine Hong Kong’s sporting landscape with a multi-purpose venue capable of hosting a wide range of events but with a focus on football.
When plans for the park were first announced in 2017, the project raised eyebrows with its ambitious scope. Designed by architecture firm Populous, the complex will include Hong Kong’s largest stadium, a 50,000-seat venue, alongside a 10,000-capacity indoor arena and a 5,000-seat community stadium with an athletics track. This will eclipse the current 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium.
Although the new stadium won’t have a resident football team, it has already been confirmed as the host venue for Hong Kong’s first-ever rugby sevens tournament in March.
Recent photos of the stadium showcase rugby posts, underlining its versatility as a multi-purpose facility capable of accommodating both rugby and football events.
Charles Cheung Yim-yau, General Secretary of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA), sees the park as a game-changer. “Kai Tak Sports Park will be a significant upgrade for Hong Kong’s hosting capabilities. It will position us as a major destination for global sporting events,” said Cheung.
The HKFA has said that several ‘prominent promoters’ are in discussions to bring world-class clubs to the city, with sources indicating Tottenham Hotspur are close to finalising a deal to play at the new stadium in July.
In addition, Manchester United and FC Barcelona have been floated as potential participants for the summer fixtures, creating the possibility of multiple blockbuster matches to christen the new venue.
Cheung expressed optimism about the summer lineup:”There’s significant interest from promoters looking to host top-tier clubs in Hong Kong. While we haven’t finalised the teams that will participate, we are looking forward to making an announcement as soon as more details are available. It’s quite possible we could see more than one match take place during this exciting period.”
The opening of Kai Tak Sports Park symbolises Hong Kong’s aspirations to become a major hub for international sports in Asia.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1736532999labto1736532999ofdlr1736532999owedi1736532999sni@g1736532999niwe.1736532999yrrah1736532999.
