(Video) Kai Tak Stadium raising the roof with retractable cover debuts tonight

The retractable roof of Kai Tak Stadium opens for the first time on Tuesday during a stress test involving a football match to evaluate the noise levels when hosting mega-events.

A total of 50,000 participants, including 44,000 civil servants, government employees, and community organization personnel, will participate in a test match featuring Kitchee SC against the Northern District in the Hong Kong Premier League under-22 competition to be staged at the sports park tonight.

The retractable roof is designed for optimal noise insulation, taking just 30 minutes to open or close. Technicians will thoroughly inspect the tracks and other components to ensure there are no blockages that could jam the roof.

The upper cover and principal steel trusses are built of 15,000 tonnes of steel and span 180 meters. The cover weighs over 4,800 tonnes and has eight bogies that are operated by four 71mm-thick steel cables via a winch system.

For sound insulation, the roof is equipped with sound-proofing fabric and a cement canopy to ensure that the audience enjoys an immersive experience while minimizing noise pollution for the surrounding residential areas.

Tang King-shing, the Strategic Planning Director of Kai Tak Sports Park, stated that the roof could be modified based on the performance needs, but it could not be opened or closed during the event for safety concerns.