Opinion | How Hong Kong can host iconic sports events without copying others

Hong Kong’s allure goes beyond its status as an international financial centre, offering a unique blend of tradition and modernity, East and West and urban and natural landscapes. To further invigorate its spirit and economy, the city aims to become an “events capital”, with sporting events poised to inject fresh vibrancy.

Developing Hong Kong’s sports event economy can yield significant economic benefits. The UN World Tourism Organization estimates that sports tourism accounts for about 10 per cent of global spending on tourism, with an anticipated annual growth rate exceeding 17 per cent from 2023 to 2030.

However, some neighbouring countries and regions have already earned strong reputations for hosting international sporting events by improving venue standards, cultivating sports talent and securing the necessary funding. Hong Kong faces challenges in these areas, and this is further complicated by a lack of usable land.

To become a competitive and attractive destination for sporting events, the approach to development must be tailored to Hong Kong’s unique nighttime cityscape and its abundant natural beauty.

One of Hong Kong’s stand-out features is its cityscape, which serves as a scenic backdrop for events such as the Hong Kong Marathon and International Dragon Boat Races. To further capitalise on this asset, the city’s nighttime skyline could be leveraged to add an extra “wow factor” to sporting events that appeals to tourists.

A prime example is Singapore’s Formula One Grand Prix. Sixteen years ago, Singapore took the bold step of hosting the first nighttime event in F1 history. Set in a new street circuit against the city’s illuminated skyline, it quickly became one of the most dramatic and atmospheric races on the F1 calendar, drawing more than 550,000 international visitors and generating about S$2 billion (US$1.6 billion) of incremental tourism receipts since its inception.