Hong Kong Sevens tickets selling at steady pace, rugby bosses hope ending Covid quarantine could bring in overseas fans
- Some 4,402 of the 10,000 tickets that went on general sale to the public last week have been sold
- With 16,500 already snapped up by city’s rugby community, officials say prospect of 21,000-strong crowd already ‘a win’
Tickets for the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens are selling at a steady pace after going on general sale last week, with 4,402 of the 10,000 made available to the public for November’s showpiece already snapped up.
With the 16,500 already sold to the city’s rugby community in a presale, the 40,000-seater Hong Kong Stadium has reached 64 per cent of expected capacity, which is around 34,000 because of Covid-19 regulations.
Most of the corporate boxes have been sold as well, while the Hong Kong Rugby Union has added additional sponsors, including the whisky brand Famous Grouse.
With crowds nearing 21,000, officials are expecting an atmosphere befitting the city’s landmark three-day sporting event and one said the number was already “a win”.
Organisers also hope the prospect of watching Hong Kong take on Australia in the final match of the opening games on Friday, November 4, will entice more people to attend.
Robbie McRobbie, the union’s CEO, said he was encouraged by the progress and had “expected demand would be impacted by the uncertainty surrounding the event in the build-up”.
“This has been the case, but we are pleased with the response so far,” he said, adding that the removal of quarantine for arrivals could encourage some overseas fans to make a last-minute trip.
“With details surrounding the fan experience now largely confirmed, we expect sales will accelerate further given the event has been absent for nearly three years,” McRobbie said.
