Kai Tak Sports Park's debut year elevates city's pride

The Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) has marked a triumphant debut year after its HK$31.9 billion construction, quickly establishing itself as the city’s premier venue for sports and leisure. Not only become a pivotal site for international competitions, such as the Hong Kong Sevens tournament and the National Games, the park has also contributed to the growth of the city’s sports and cultural sectors. Commissioner for Sports George Tsoi Kin-pan revealed that the park’s schedule is nearly full for the next two years, reflecting its growing influence on both Hong Kong’s economy and athletic scene.

In its first year, the park welcomed more than 840,000 visitors across over 200 days of sporting events. Tsoi credited the park’s success to the adaptability and indomitable spirit of the Hong Kong people. He also pointed to the Kai Tak Stadium’s innovative turf system, which enables overnight switches from sports to entertainment setups, maximizing the venue’s flexibility and revenue potential.

He recalled that the park has demonstrated agility in accommodating a last-minute request from a sports team by rescheduling the venue preparation of an entertainment event to overnight.

The flexibility contributed to record-breaking ticket sales, with Kai Tak Stadium ranking first in Asia last year for both ticket volume and revenue among large-scale venues.

Major international events have reinforced the park’s reputation. The Hong Kong Sevens set a new attendance record after relocating to Kai Tak Stadium, with over 110,000 fans. The stadium also hosted several top international football clubs for exhibition matches, boosting its global profile.

Tsoi emphasized that by blending sports, cultural performances, and community activities, the park has promoted integration and synergy. The new venues and support for school sports programs have brought sports and culture into the community’s core.

He added that events such as the annual “Kai Tak GET SET GO!” carnival—which attracted over 10,000 participants in February—have successfully promoted accessible sports and encouraged the integration of sports into everyday life.

The Sports Commissioner said the park aims to deepen cooperation with Greater Bay Area cities through joint sports competitions and cultural exchanges. As the government has set high expectations for the venue, Tsoi is seeking to boost its professionalism and influence across the region in the years ahead.