HONG KONG – Hong Kong inaugurated the massive Kai Tak Sports Park on March 1, marking a major milestone in the city’s efforts to reestablish itself as a premier destination for international sports and entertainment. The centrepiece of the HK$30 billion (S$5.2 billion) complex is a 50,000-seat stadium, which played host to an opening ceremony attended by officials, celebrities, and thousands of spectators.
Built on the former site of the iconic Kai Tak Airport, the 28-hectare sports park is a transformative addition to the city’s landscape. The stadium, with its striking purplish facade dubbed the “Pearl of the Orient,” features a retractable roof and is set to host major events, including the Hong Kong Sevens in March and Coldplay concerts in April.
City leader John Lee hailed the launch as a “state-of-the-art new stage for Hong Kong,” with officials hoping the high-profile venue will elevate the city’s global standing. Hong Kong has faced setbacks in attracting major events, losing Taylor Swift’s 2024 Eras Tour to Singapore and seeing the NBA sign an agreement with Macau.
First proposed in the early 2000s, the ambitious stadium project faced delays before construction finally began in 2019. The completed complex includes a 10,000-seat indoor sports centre, a 5,000-seat public sports ground, and three shopping malls.
The grand opening featured more than just speeches and performances, with martial arts star Donnie Yen squaring off against Olympic gold-medallist fencer Vivian Kong in a unique showcase of sports and entertainment.