Bryan Rennie Is Excited For The 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens – “This Will Be An Elevated Fan Experience”

rugbyasia247 Posted On March 10, 2025

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Bryan Rennie Is Excited For The 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens

Hong Kong China Rugby Executive Director of Commercial and Business Operations, Bryan Rennie, can’t wait for the 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. With the move to the new Kai Tak Stadium capturing the headlines, the 5th stop of the HSBC SVNS Series this season remains a bucket list event after building up its well-earned reputation from nearly 50 years of legacy (having first been held in 1976).

Kai Tak Stadium – A New Opportunity to Grow The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens In 2025

“It is a big move to have it at a brand new stadium but the Hong Kong Sevens is a bucket list event and after being held at the Hong Kong Stadium for three decades, it’s now a pivotal moment for us,” said Bryan Rennie, who has been involved in the tournament’s organisation since early 2019.

The former professional rugby player said, “We’ve outgrown the Hong Kong Stadium where we’ve regularly sold out 40,000 tickets per day. We needed a bigger venue that could help accommodate the amazing entertainment that comes with the Hong Kong Sevens, and we really pride ourselves on being a full-scale sport and entertainment product.

“The rugby is amazing and there’s some incredible matchups going on, but the entertainment we put together every year to create that Mardi Gras-type party atmosphere with the fancy dress singing, dancing and drinking in the stands is a key part of what makes it work.

“So we’re really excited about this evolution and the move to a new stadium, and we are looking to do all of the established positive things that we’ve managed to do in the past and for which we have built up a good track record over the past few decades.”

Rennie says that ensuring there is a seamless transition for the fans is important as well as for the corporate partners and sponsors but the brand new purpose-built sevens rugby stadium is generating excitement.

“We’re really excited to see so many overseas visitors already snap up our travel packages and are looking to come back to Hong Kong. We’re proud of the role we play within tourism and the wider economic impact that our event brings to Hong Kong, not only over the three days but that whole week leading into the Sevens.”

The Hong Kong Sevens Week is famous for its chaotic plethora of events, which range from golf events, breakfasts, long lunches, team welcomes, charitable or gala dinners as well as conferences and seminars around the sport. Rennie confirmed there are approximately 35 events planned in the week leading up to the actual 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens when the rugby kicks off on Friday 28th March at the Kai Tak Stadium.

Photo Credit – HKCR – Bryan Rennie – Executive Director of Commercial and Business Operations

Why Does Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Hold Such An Appeal To Fans?

“That legacy and that history the tournament has created – people still want to come to Hong Kong and be part of it and experience it. There are a lot of like-minded individuals who enjoy the great party atmosphere and the reputation the event has built,” explained Rennie.

“It’s an event that holds a special place in many people’s hearts, and it’s been on their calendars for many years. The amount of times I get phone calls from people saying, ‘this will be their 40th Hong Kong Sevens’ or whatever it is, they keep coming back!”

Rennie said that they have researched to assess the number of repeat customers and that the average attendee has been to the Hong Kong Sevens six or seven times

“We’re still able to incorporate and attract new fans coming to the event, particularly new Hong Kong-based fans. But it’s unique to have that many repeat customers who jump on a plane and want to come to Hong Kong because they’re meeting up with friends and family from around the world, and want to return to the city and enjoy the party atmosphere that we offer.”

Why Does Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Hold Such An Appeal To Fans

Photo Credit – HKCR

What Can Fans Expect At Kai Tak Stadium?

Part of the marketing energy has been conversations to allay any doubts or fears about the change of venue and the narrative and views have been positively changing.

“You can’t help but be impressed by the new stadium. As soon as you walk in, you can see it is world-class and it is absolutely incredible. It’s exactly what Hong Kong needs. We’ve been fortunate in being involved in a number of the test events and our community has been out there and witnessed it and experienced it.”

Those tests started with Hong Kong China Men’s 15s playing a test match against Brazil in November 2024 at the nearby Youth Sports Ground, which Hong Kong China men won to turn around a first-leg deficit.

The worries about public transport to reach the stadium have also been addressed and Rennie says it’s a half an hour’s commute to get to a world-class facility.

“The fact that everything is available on site within the precinct area and that there’s no reason to leave again bodes well.” Rennie points to the market research they have done which suggested that fans were spending nine hours a day inside the stadium before, and that was with little else to do in the vicinity around the old site.

“Now, people can go into our Fan Village, or they can visit the retail park, and enjoy such a greater variety of F&B dining options with all these terrific views and open spaces,” he said.

Photo Credit – HKCR

Rennie is adamant that fans who crave tradition and want to head to popular social areas after the rugby can still easily reach the likes of LKF (Lan Kwai Fong) or Wan Chai but expects fans to be in for a pleasant surprise at the new facilities.

“They will be blown away because there’s an elevation in the fan experience. It’s a much cleaner stadium. It’s smart. It is tech-enabled, and the F&B offerings are incredible. There’s air conditioning and the stadium roof can be closed – there’s all sorts of benefits that are an elevation of what we’ve had in previous years.”

Of the new Fan Village, he explained, “It will be a big part of the experience and it is going to be an extension of the stadium. We’re using that for live entertainment over the three days, for sponsor activations, and for numerous rugby activations, coaching clinics etc. It will evolve into an area where people can hang out after the stadium closes, socialise and enjoy entertainment such as DJs and live bands. It will naturally become a congregating spot after the tournament, and if people choose to, they can move on and disperse as they head to where they need to get to.”

A big part of the operations are the vast increased number of stakeholders involved and Rennie says there has been a constant dialogue between the stakeholders and across the government in Hong Kong.

The testing to date have also been used to stress-test the capabilities and they are confident of ensuring a smooth event across the three days of rugby in March.

“We fully trust the protocols that are being put in place and we have been working very closely with the various teams to ensure it will be a big success. We want to ensure that we get the fundamentals right, and we leave a bit of room for growth as well. This means we can explore different commercial opportunities around how we grow the event in the future.

“But for us now, the main focus is ensuring the smooth delivery of the tournament, and ensuring that the elevation of what we’ve successfully delivered and run in the past.”

You can purchase tickets and experience the 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens here.