Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park off to smooth start after ‘precious’ trial run

Snacks relatively cheap compared with Hong Kong Stadium, but can of beer still costs HK$40; fans upbeat over transport arrangements

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The invite-only fixture welcomed about 1,500 spectators. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 4:21pm, 27 Oct 2024Updated: 10:17pm, 27 Oct 2024

Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park got off to a smooth start by completing its first trial run on Sunday, with 1,500 spectators for a football match largely dispersed within 10 minutes of the final whistle.

Some spectators told the Post they were satisfied with the transport arrangements, while players praised the quality of the pitch. Drinks and snacks were also cheaper than those being sold at Hong Kong Stadium during mega-events.

The second division match between Sai Kung and Wong Tai Sin kicked off at 4.30pm at the HK$30 billion (US$3.8 billion) park’s Youth Sports Ground. The park is expected to open early next year for a series of mega-events, including the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament and concerts by British rock band Coldplay.

For Sunday’s invitation-only game, spectators took up one-third of the capacity of the Youth Sports Ground, which is near the main stadium and seats 5,000.

The city’s No 2 official, Eric Chan Kwok-ki, said the trial run was “smooth and orderly”, noting that as many as 300 signs and 300 staff members had been deployed to provide support.

The chief secretary said crowd management, transport, security checks and ticket validation were among the main elements being tested.

The park’s main stadium sits in the background of the youth ground’s pitch. Photo: Sam Tsang