Basketball matches to test Kai Tak Arena capacity

Cheng Wong

The Kai Tak Arena will host two basketball games on Saturday to test the indoor venue's capacity before the sports park opens in 2025.

The two test events will take place at 3pm and 5pm, respectively, with an estimated 2,000 spectators allowed to enter starting at 1.30pm. Tickets have been distributed and will not be sold at the arena on the day of the events.

The sports venue located at Kai Tak Sports Park is designed to host major international tournaments, including badminton, basketball, gymnastics, tennis, table tennis and volleyball.

Commissioner for Sports George Tsoi Kin-pan advised spectators to use public transportation, noting that it is a seven-to-eight-minute walk from Exit D of Kai Tak MTR station.

There will be six to eight security check counters and depending on the foot traffic, Tsoi said flexible management will be implemented.

"Long umbrellas and food and beverages, including empty bottles, are not allowed," Tsoi said, adding that spectators without a bag can use a dedicated corridor to speed up security checks.

Both test matches and stress tests will be conducted "step-by-step," as Tsoi indicated that more tests are expected to begin in January at the park's main stadium.

Strategic planning director of Kai Tak Sports Park, Tang King-shing, said the arena's Grand Hall has a seating capacity of up to 10,000 people, while its side venue Sports Hall can accommodate up to 500.

The retired police chief said that up to 80 percent of the seating is retractable or removable to accommodate various uses and requirements. When the seating is removed, the venue can provide an open area equivalent to the size of 40 badminton courts.

"I hope the flexible venue will align with the government's goals to promote sports in the community, support elite sports, promote the city as a center for major international sporting events, develop sports as an industry and enhance professionalism," Tang said.

The park's Youth Sports Ground hosted a first test football match on October 26 to inspect the venue's operations, with nearly 1,000 spectators. Tests will continue until February next year as the park prepares for its opening in the first quarter of 2025.