Blackpink, G-Dragon, and Le Sserafim are set to bring the heat to major concerts in Hong Kong, joining recently held shows by Coldplay and Jay Chou, driving a tourism surge and boosting retail spending, according to East Week magazine, sister publication of The Standard.
Blackpink's ‘Deadline’ Tour at Kai Tak Stadium Sells Out Instantly
Next year, global K-pop sensation Blackpink will bring their world tour “Deadline” to Kai Tak Sports Park, with tickets for both shows selling out instantly—highlighting the city’s growing appeal as a regional concert hub.
More K-pop in Hong Kong: Le Sserafim, Twice, and G-Dragon Performances
Meanwhile, Twice, the nine-member girl group under Korea’s JYP Entertainment, is set to mark their 10th anniversary with a concert at the stadium in December. Le Sserafim, a rising Korean girl group under Hybe’s Source Music, will hold two concerts at AsiaWorld-Expo later this month, with tickets already in high demand.
The appeal of Korean artists remains undeniable. Alongside the MAMA Awards, which will make its Hong Kong debut at Kai Tak, Kwon Ji-yong – better known as G-Dragon – will stage two solo concerts in early December.
Local and Regional Stars Join the Lineup
Adding to the excitement, local singer Gloria Tang Tsz-kei, known professionally as GEM, will make a highly anticipated return after eight years. She will also become the first female artist to perform at Kai Tak Stadium.
On August 9, it will be Andy Lau Tak-wah’s turn to take the stage, with his “You Are My Pride” concert.
Since its official opening on March 1, Kai Tak Sports Park has hosted more than 15 concerts at its main stadium and indoor arena.
Earlier this year, Coldplay attracted fans from around the globe with sold-out shows, followed by Taiwanese band Mayday, Nicholas Tse Ting-fung, JJ Lin, and Jay Chou, creating a steady influx of overseas concertgoers.
Last month, Jay Chou brought his Carnival World Tour 2025 to Kai Tak for three consecutive nights, with each show packed to capacity. Fans from across Asia and beyond, including organized fan groups, flew in for the shows. Chou invited special guests Aaron Kwok Fu-shing and Japanese heartthrob Yamashita Tomohiro, electrifying the crowd.
Concerts Revive Nightlife, Boost Retail and Dining
The concerts injected energy into Kai Tak and surrounding areas, with nearby malls, restaurants, and shops bustling with concertgoers. Fans snapped up artist merchandise, packed eateries before shows, and hit late-night spots afterward—giving a boost to the nighttime economy in Kowloon City and Tsim Sha Tsui.
Terence Chong Tai-leung, director of the Lau Chor Tak Institute of Global Economics and Finance at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said the city’s upgraded venues are helping attract more top-tier international performers.
“While this creates a lively atmosphere, the real economic impact depends on ticket revenue after costs, as well as spillover benefits for dining and accommodation. The key is to keep drawing top performers,” Chong said.
Tourism Sees Major Lift: Over 4 Million Visitors in May
According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, visitor arrivals in May jumped 20 percent year-on-year to 4.08 million. Mainland Chinese tourists made up 3.12 million of that figure, marking a nearly 19 percent increase from the same period last year.
For overnight visitors, the first five months of 2025 saw a 7.4 percent year-on-year rise, reaching 9.64 million. Mainland tourists grew by 3.2 percent, while non-mainland arrivals rose more than 16 percent.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said that major events in the first half of the year are expected to attract 840,000 visitors, generating HK$3.3 billion in spending and HK$1.8 billion in economic value for the city.
The government’s push to promote large-scale events and concert tourism is beginning to pay off. After more than a year of sluggish performance, Hong Kong’s retail sales have finally bounced back.
Retail Recovery Signals Economic Turnaround
Data from the Census and Statistics Department shows retail sales in May rose 2.4 percent year-on-year in both price and volume—outperforming market expectations of a 1.8 percent decline. On a seasonally adjusted basis, total retail sales value rose 7 percent month-on-month, while sales volume increased 1.9 percent year-on-year.
The Hong Kong Retail Management Association expects further improvement through June and July, with more categories either rebounding or narrowing previous declines. Members remain cautiously optimistic about the months ahead.
Investor sentiment has also improved, with landlord stocks benefiting from stronger foot traffic and rising valuations.
Concert Economy Also Powers Macau’s Gaming Boom
Meanwhile, Macau is also cashing in on the concert economy. Following Jacky Cheung Hok-yau’s six-show run at Galaxy Arena, the city’s gross gaming revenue in June surged 19 percent year-on-year to 21.1 billion patacas (HK$21.7 billion), beating analyst forecasts.
Brokerages have responded by upgrading Macau gaming stocks, with MGM China and Melco International Development soaring 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively, over the past month.
Citigroup forecasts concert-driven tourism will continue boosting Macau’s numbers, conservatively projecting 5 percent year-on-year growth in July, pushing gaming revenue to 19.5 billion patacas.
STAFF REPORTER
