New Venue Gets HK 7s Coming-Out Party

Sparkling Kai Tak Sports Park will host iconic rugby tournament for the first time

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HONG KONG - The famously raucous Hong Kong Sevens taking place from March 28 will be a big test for the shiny new stadium at the heart of a major US$3.85 billion (S$5.2 billion) sports park in the city.

Officials are keeping their fingers crossed that the premier event in Hong Kong's sporting and social calendar goes off without a hitch at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak stadium. Following that, the sevens will move to Singapore on April 5 and 6.

Hong Kong organisers hope to entice major European football teams to visit in the next few months, with reports in December saying that English Premier League giants Liverpool were in talks about a pre-season tour.

Coldplay will perform there in April, all part of Hong Kong's bid to re-establish the city as a hub for international sport, culture and entertainment.

The biggest event in rugby sevens, with organisers saying they have sold a record over 130,000 tickets for the tournament from March 28 to 30, is seen as key to restoring Hong Kong's reputation.