Kai Tak Stadium Confirmed As Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 Venue

Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) has confirmed that the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025, will be hosted at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Spots Park Stadium from 28-30 March 2025.

Feature Photo: Cathay / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens to kick off in Kai Tak in 2025 [L To R:} HKCR CEO James Farndon, HKCR Women’s Sevens Captain Chloe Chan, Edward Bell, General Manager, Brand, Insights, and Marketing Communications at Cathay, John Sharkey, Project Director, Kai Tak Sports Park, Zarina Wan, Assistant Secretary Sports and Recreation, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Daniel Drew, Chief of Staff, Hong Kong, HSBC; HKCR Men’s Sevens Captain James Christie, and HKCR Chairman Chris Brooke.

A media event was held near the new stadium at the new Dorsett Hotel Kai Tak with Mr John Sharkey, Project Director of Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) in attendance alongside the Chairman of Hong Kong China Rugby, Mr Chris Brooke, and the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong China Rugby, Mr James Farndon.

Mr Chris Brooke said, “Hong Kong China Rugby is extremely proud to be staging one of the key international events at the Kai Tak Sports Park during its opening period, creating what promises to be another significant milestone in the decades-long association between the rugby world and the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.”

Kai Tak Sports Park Stadium – New Home Of The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens

Also in attendance were Zorina Wan, Principal Assistant Secretary (Sports and Recreation) at the Culture, Sports and Tourism Board (CSTB), Edward Bell, General Manager, Brand, Insights and Marketing Communications at Cathay and Daniel Drew, Chief of Staff Hong Kong at HSBC, representing the event’s long-time sponsors, as well as Chloe Chan and James Christie, captains and members of the Hong Kong China Men’s and Women’s representative 7s teams.

Brooke added, “We have been working closely with World Rugby, KTSP and relevant representatives of the Hong Kong Government for over five years in preparation for this move and are confident of being able to deliver a fitting international sporting event in the new stadium during KTSP’s opening period.

It is the fans that have made, and will continue to make, the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens a unique event in the world sport calendar, and we look forward to the new traditions that will arise around the event at the new Kai Tak Stadium.”

Cathay / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens set to light up Kai Tak. For the first time in over 30 years, the Cathay / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens will move to a glittering new stadium in 2025, at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium from 28-30 March 2025.

John Sharkey, Project Director of KTSP, said: “As Hong Kong’s new pride of home venue, we are truly honoured and excited to host this globally prominent sports event at KTSP. For Hong Kong, this sporting occasion not only promotes the development of local rugby but also showcases the city’s capability to host world-class events, enhancing its status as a mega events capital.”

• The Kai Tak Stadium is also one of the few venues globally designed specifically for rugby and features 20 changing rooms to accommodate the needs of the multiple teams, referees and other personnel as well as a dedicated dining and rest areas for players.
• The renowned ‘South Stand’ will be fully upgraded at the Kai Tak Stadium.
• A large event platform, combined with a glass curtain wall, connects the stadium to the views of Victoria Harbour, enhancing the atmosphere of the Sevens.
• The stadium is equipped with a soundproof retractable roof, allowing events to proceed regardless of weather conditions.
• The stadium’s bowl cooling system ensures a comfortable viewing experience from every single seat.
• The Kai Tak Stadium features more than 30 dining facilities and 33 concession outlets (including  one of the longest bars in Asia).

Kai Tak is a 10-15-minute walk from the Kai Tak MTR and Sung Wong Toi MTR stations, with multiple bus routes near the Sports Park.

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What The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Partners Said

Edward Bell, General Manager, Brand, Insights, and Marketing Communications at the event co-title sponsor Cathay, commented, “Cathay has been a proud sponsor of the Hong Kong Sevens for over 40 years and naturally we are delighted to extend our partnership as the event moves to its new, state-of-the-art home at Kai Tak Sports Park. The venue is especially meaningful to Cathay as Kai Tak was our home for more than 40 years.

We are thrilled to welcome back both local and overseas visitors who’ll join Rugby’s Biggest Party, with official overseas travel packages able to be booked at Cathay.com from mid-October. As we always say, nobody does rugby like Hong Kong!”

Daniel Drew, Chief of Staff Hong Kong at event co-title sponsor HSBC, also shared their delight as they have  partnered with the Hong Kong Sevens for more than a decade. “This world-class sporting event, set in a world-class stadium, promises to be a game-changer. We are thrilled to share this experience with fans in Hong Kong and around the world.”

Kai Tak Spots Park & HKCR

James Farndon, CEO of HKCR, explained, “Our purpose at Hong Kong China Rugby is to optimise positive social impact for Hong Kong through rugby. The Hong Kong Sevens event, and this bold new era at Kai Tak Sports Park, creates the ultimate wow factor for fans and the perfect opportunity for us to continue to inspire.”

Kai Tak Sports Park will be ready to offer a “post-match party” with over 230 retail outlets including 70 restaurants within walking distance. There are also eight diverse concept restaurants at the Dining Cove and a range of cuisines.

Rugby Sevens fans will be treated to 72 matches of Sevens rugby across the three-day weekend in Hong Kong in what will be the start of a new era for at Kai Tak Stadium.

Left to right: HKCR Women’s Sevens captain Chloe Chan, HKCR CEO James Farndon, Zarina Wan, Assistant Secretary Sports and Recreation, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, John Sharkey, Project Director, Kai Tak Sports Park, HKCR Chairman Chris Brooke and HKCR Men’s Sevens captain James Christie.

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Long Lunch 2024

The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Long Lunch will be held on 8 November 2024 and retired Australian rugby star Michael Hooper will headline the Long Lunch panel.

More guests will be confirmed and proceeds will go to Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the official charity partner of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

SVNS 2024-2025

In August 2024, World Rugb confirmed the forst half of the new 2024-2025 SVNS season but details on the remaining HSBC SVNS 2025 events, including the Grand Final, will be confirmed by World Rugby in the forthcoming weeks. 

International Rugby Sevens News

• Thailand Rugby Union Women’s Sevens Head Coach Yohei Shinomiya – I Want The Thailand Women To Be The Top Team In Asia.
• 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens – What You Need To Know.
• UAE And Hong Kong China Men’s XV To Host November 2024 International Tests.
• Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy 2024.