Hong Kong Stadium

Hong Kong Stadium is the main sports venue of Hong Kong. Redeveloped from the original Government Stadium, it reopened as Hong Kong Stadium in March 1994. It has a maximum seating capacity of 40,000, including 18,260 at the main level, 3,173 at executive level, 18,510 upper-level seats and 57 seats for wheelchair users.

The stadium is located in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island, in valley of Caroline Hill. It hosted the inaugural AFC Asian Cup finals and the AFC Women's Asian Cup for four times. Most international football matches held in Hong Kong are held at this stadium. Between 1982 and 2024, it hosted the Hong Kong Sevens annually. Hong Kong Stadium has also hosted the Rugby World Cup Sevens twice, in 1997 and 2005. The stadium is home to the Hong Kong national football team and hosts international matches for Hong Kong Premier League club side Kitchee SC.

History

So Kon Po was formerly the burial ground for the 1918 Fire at Happy Valley Racecourse. Then the Hong Kong Government moved all the tombs to Aberdeen. The old Government Stadium was a U-shaped constructed by 1953 and had a capacity of 28,000<ref>Takungpao, 1956-09-05, page 8</ref> with partially covered seating.

The old Government Stadium was only partially covered, without sufficient seats or lighting systems. In the 90s, the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club proposed a reconstruction plan so that Hong Kong can have a world class sports stadium.Template:Citation needed

1994 Re-construction and Wembley International

In the early 1990s, the Government Stadium was reconstructed into a 40,000-seat rectangular stadium. No running track was built due to the restricted land size. This forced the schools to look for alternative venues.

The stadium's management contract was won by Wembley International, a foreign subsidiary of Wembley Stadium, against strong competition, in March 1994.

From the first day there have been serious problems with the pitch. The owners of the stadium, the Urban Council, were disappointed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It came under fire from local football officials, sports promoters and even Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, who said, before the exhibition match between Manchester United and South China AA on 20 July 1997, "The pitch is cutting up. The surface is just sand-based and the turf doesn't hold well. Injuries can occur."<ref>Major overhaul on the cards for troubled stadiumTemplate:Dead link</ref>

The government had hoped that the stadium could be used as a music concert venue in order to bring in more rental income. But nearby citizens complained endlessly about 'noise levels', leading to restrictions on noise levels that effectively rendered the stadium unsuitable for concerts. This reduced greatly the income levels of the stadium and the management company, Wembley, ran into financial troubles.

1998 Hong Kong government takeover

Wembley's management tenure at the stadium was abruptly terminated by the Provisional Urban Council (PUC) on 26 May 1998. PUC also asked Urban Services Department (USD) to assume temporary management of the Hong Kong Stadium and has also agreed to USD's proposals to return the entire pitch of the Hong Kong Stadium.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The fundamental issue between the parties was the care and maintenance of the stadium pitch, but also a complaint about an unauthorized bungy jump by Canadian Paul G. Boyle.

In the end, the Hong Kong government was judged to have wrongfully terminated the management agreement and had to pay over HK$20 million in damages to Wembley Plc.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Hong Kong Stadium is now managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong, after the Urban Council was disbanded.

Football

Local matches

Hong Kong Premier League

Hong Kong Premier League clubs South China, Kitchee, Pegasus and Eastern had used Hong Kong Stadium as home.

Full house

The first full house official football match (i.e. non-exhibition match) at the Hong Kong Stadium was the 2009 AFC Cup semi-final second leg between South China AA and Kuwait SC.<ref>Template:In lang 資料庫：正賽爆棚　紅旗再現 Apple Daily. 22 October 2009.</ref> This was added to in the same year by the 2009 East Asian Games football final between Hong Kong U23 and Japan U23. Although there were empty seats in the stadium, all tickets were sold or distributed.<ref>Template:In lang 持票者甩底　大球場未滿座 Apple Daily. 13 December 2009.</ref>

International matches

Hong Kong Stadium had hold numerous exhibition games. Notable national teams include Argentina and England. For clubs, all Premier League Big Six clubs—Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur have played in the stadium. Other famous clubs include Aston Villa, Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven, Juventus, Leicester City, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and São Paulo.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

AFC Asian Cup

The inaugural AFC Asian Cup finals was held in Hong Kong Stadium from 1 September to 15 September 1956 as a four-team round-robin competition with no final. It was won by South Korea, while Hong Kong finished third place.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The stadium has also hosted the AFC Women's Asian Cup for four times, including the inaugural in 1975, 1981, 1986 and 1989.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Lunar New Year Cup

The stadium has hosted matches of the Lunar New Year Cup. Notable visiting national teams include Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Mexico, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, and FR Yugoslavia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

1997–98 Asian Club Championship

The semi-finals and final of the 1997–98 Asian Club Championship were held at Hong Kong Stadium.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Hong Kong v Real Madrid

Luis Figo scored the first goal for Real Madrid from the penalty spot after Roberto Carlos was brought down in the area during the pre-season friendly match against Hong Kong select XI at the Hong Kong Stadium on 8 August 2003. Real Madrid won the match 4–2.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Kitchee v Manchester City

On 24 July 2019, Hong Kong Stadium held a club friendly match between Premier League champions Manchester City and Hong Kong Premier League club Kitchee. where Manchester City won 6–1.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Hong Kong v Inter Miami

On 4 February 2024, Hong Kong Stadium held a friendly match between Hong Kong League XI and Inter Miami CF, led to a controversy due to Lionel Messi's absence.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Premier League Asia Trophy

The ground has hosted the Premier League Asia Trophy for four times, including the 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2017 edition, more than any other stadium.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Saudi Super Cup

Hong Kong Stadium hosted the Saudi Super Cup in 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Notable football matches held at Hong Kong Stadium

Notbale football matches held at Hong Kong Stadium
Date	Home	Result	Away	Tournament	Attendance	Ref
1 September 1956	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong	2–3	Template:Flagicon Israel	1956 AFC Asian Cup	30,000	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
6 September 1956	Template:Flagicon South Korea	2–2	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong		25,000
8 September 1956	Template:Flagicon Israel	1–2	Template:Flagicon South Korea		25,000
9 September 1956	Template:Flagicon South Vietnam	2–2	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong		20,000
12 September 1956	Template:Flagicon Israel	2–1	Template:Flagicon South Vietnam		10,000
15 September 1956	Template:Flagicon South Korea	5–3	Template:Flagicon South Vietnam		13,000
14 June 1976	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong	0–0 4–3 Template:Pso	Template:Flagicon Japan	1976 AFC Asian Cup qualification Group match	26,801	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
21 June 1976		0–1	Template:Flagicon China		28,550
20 September 1979	Template:Flagicon Seiko	3–3	Template:Flagicon New York Cosmos	Exhibition game	27,612	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
5 December 1980	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong	1–0	Template:Flagicon Australia	International friendly	9,548
28 December 1980	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong	2–2	Template:Flagicon North Korea	1982 FIFA World Cup qualification First round Group stage	27,629
31 December 1980	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong	0–0 Template:Aet 4–5 Template:Pso	Template:Flagicon China	1982 FIFA World Cup qualification First round Zonal semi-finals	27,582
10 January 1982	Template:Flagicon Seiko	0–2	Template:Flagicon Boca Juniors	Exhibition game	28,000	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
17 February 1985	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong	0–0	Template:Flagicon China	1986 FIFA World Cup qualification First round Group stage	20,935
22 September 1985	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong	1–2	Template:Flagicon Japan	1986 FIFA World Cup qualification Second round Second leg	28,000
5 April 1994	Template:Flagicon South China	4–2	Template:Flagicon São Paulo	Exhibition game		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
4 February 1995	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong League XI	1–3	Template:Flagicon Colombia	1995 Lunar New Year Cup	30,745	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Template:Flagicon FR Yugoslavia	1–0	Template:Flagicon South Korea
7 February 1995	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong League XI	0–1	Template:Flagicon Poland	1996 Lunar New Year Cup	32,019	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Template:Flagicon Japan	1–1 4–5 Template:Pso	Template:Flagicon Sweden
19 February 1995	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong	0–3	Template:Flagicon Japan	1995 Dynasty Cup Group stage	29,753	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
26 February 1995	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong	1–1 3–1 Template:Pso	Template:Flagicon China	1995 Dynasty Cup Third place match	27,668
26 May 1996	Template:Flagicon Golden XI	0–1	Template:Flagicon England	Exhibition game		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
30 May 1996	Template:Flagicon South China	0–1	Template:Flagicon Instant-Dict	1995–96 Hong Kong First Division League Grand final	31,210	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
20 July 1997	Template:Flagicon South China	0–1	Template:Flagicon Manchester United	Exhibition game	36,611	<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref>
3 April 1998	Template:Flagicon Persepolis	0–2	Template:Flagicon Dalian Wanda	1997–98 Asian Club Championship Semi-finals		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Template:Flagicon Pohang Steelers	1–0	Template:Flagicon Al-Hilal
5 April 1998	Template:Flagicon Persepolis	1–4	Template:Flagicon Al-Hilal	1997–98 Asian Club Championship Third place match
	Template:Flagicon Dalian Wanda	0–0 Template:Aet 5–6 Template:Pso	Template:Flagicon Pohang Steelers	1997–98 Asian Club Championship Final
24 July 1999	Template:Flagicon South China	0–2	Template:Flagicon Manchester United	Exhibition game	40,000	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
11 February 2001	Template:Flagicon Paraguay	1–1 5–6 Template:Pso	Template:Flagicon South Korea	2001 Lunar New Year Cup	30,000	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong League XI	1–2	Template:Flagicon Norway
29 January 2002	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong League XI	1–1 4–3 Template:Pso	Template:Flagicon China	2002 Lunar New Year Cup	26,244	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1 February 2002	Template:Flagicon China	0–0 3–4 Template:Pso	Template:Flagicon Slovenia		30,329
	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong League XI	0–1	Template:Flagicon Honduras
27 July 2003	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong	0–6	Template:Flagicon Liverpool	Exhibition game	40,000	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
8 August 2003	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong Select XI	2–4	Template:Flagicon Real Madrid	Exhibition game	39,000	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
31 May 2004	Template:Flagicon Kitchee	2–1	Template:Flagicon AC Milan	Exhibition game	16,923	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
25 January 2005	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong	1–7	Template:Flagicon Brazil	2005 Lunar New Year Cup	23,425	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
23 July 2005	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong XI	0–2	Template:Flagicon Manchester United	Exhibition game	33,971	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
24 July 2007	Template:Flagicon Fulham	0–1	Template:Flagicon Portsmouth	2007 Premier League Asia Trophy	36,801	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Template:Flagicon South China	1–3	Template:Flagicon Liverpool
27 July 2007	Template:Flagicon South China	1–4	Template:Flagicon Fulham		39,535
	Template:Flagicon Liverpool	0–0 2–4 Template:Pso	Template:Flagicon Portsmouth
11 August 2007	Template:Flagicon Mission Hills Invitation XI	0–4	Template:Flagicon Barcelona	Exhibition game	23,792	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
9 March 2008	Template:Flagicon South China invitation team	2–2 5–4Template:Pso	Template:Flagicon LA Galaxy	Exhibition game	14,060	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
22 May 2008	Template:Flagicon South China invitation team	3–1	Template:Flagicon Manchester City	Exhibition game	17,516	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Template:Flagicon South China	2–1	Template:Flagicon Juventus
2 August 2009	Template:Flagicon South China	2–0	Template:Flagicon Tottenham Hotspur	Exhibition game	23,025	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
30 September 2009	Template:Flagicon South China	1–0	Template:Flagicon Neftchi Farg'ona	2009 AFC Cup Quarter-finals Second leg	20,112	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
21 October 2009		0–1	Template:Flagicon Al-Kuwait	2009 AFC Cup Semi-finals Second leg	37,459	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
12 December 2009	Template:Flagicon Japan U20	1–1 Template:Aet 2–4 Template:Pso	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong U23	2009 East Asian Games Gold medal match	31,884	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
27 July 2011	Template:Flagicon Aston Villa	1–0	Template:Flagicon Blackburn Rovers	2011 Premier League Asia Trophy	33,967	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Template:Flagicon Kitchee	0–4	Template:Flagicon Chelsea
30 July 2011	Template:Flagicon Kitchee	0–3	Template:Flagicon Blackburn Rovers		38,911
	Template:Flagicon Chelsea	2–0	Template:Flagicon Aston Villa
29 July 2012	Template:Flagicon Kitchee	2–2	Template:Flagicon Arsenal	Exhibition game	39,209	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
24 July 2013	Template:Flagicon Tottenham Hotspur	1–3	Template:Flagicon Sunderland	2013 Premier League Asia Trophy	35,950	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Template:Flagicon Manchester City	1–0	Template:Flagicon South China
27 July 2013	Template:Flagicon Tottenham Hotspur	6–0	Template:Flagicon South China		39,544
	Template:Flagicon Manchester City	1–0	Template:Flagicon Sunderland
29 July 2013	Template:Flagicon Kitchee	2–5	Template:Flagicon Manchester United	Exhibition game	39,102	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
29 July 2014	Template:Flagicon Kitchee	2–6	Template:Flagicon Paris Saint-Germain	Exhibition game	17,153	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
14 October 2014	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong	0–7	Template:Flagicon Argentina	International friendly	20,230	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
26 May 2017	Template:Flagicon Kitchee	1–4	Template:Flagicon Tottenham Hotspur	Exhibition game	27,568	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
19 July 2017	Template:Flagicon Leicester City	0–0 7–6 Template:Pso	Template:Flagicon West Bromwich Albion	2017 Premier League Asia Trophy	39,273	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Template:Flagicon Liverpool	2–0	Template:Flagicon Crystal Palace
22 July 2017	Template:Flagicon West Bromwich Albion	0–2	Template:Flagicon Crystal Palace		39,498
	Template:Flagicon Liverpool	2–1	Template:Flagicon Leicester City
24 July 2019	Template:Flagicon Kitchee	1–6	Template:Flagicon Manchester City	Exhibition game	20,926	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
4 February 2024	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong League XI	1–4	Template:Flagicon Inter Miami	Exhibition game	38,417	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
27 August 2024	Template:Flagicon Kitchee	1–6	Template:Flagicon Atlético Madrid	Exhibition game	15,034	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
30 May 2025	Template:Flagicon Hong Kong	1–3	Template:Flagicon Manchester United	Exhibition game	33,098	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
19 August 2025	Template:Flagicon Al-Nassr	2–1	Template:Flagicon Al-Ittihad	2025 Saudi Super Cup Semi-finals	30,653	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
20 August 2025	Template:Flagicon Al-Qadsiah	1–5	Template:Flagicon Al-Ahli		16,253	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
23 August 2025	Template:Flagicon Al-Nassr	2–2 5–3 Template:Pso	Template:Flagicon Al-Ahli	2025 Saudi Super Cup Final	30,240	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Rugby

From 1982 to 2024, the annual Hong Kong Sevens tournament was hosted at Hong Kong Stadium. The stadium has also hosted the Rugby World Cup Sevens twice, in 1997 and 2005.

On 1 November 2008, the ground became the first stadium outside of Australia and New Zealand to host a Bledisloe Cup test match, where New Zealand's All Blacks triumphed over Australia's Wallabies with a score of 19–14.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2010, the Hong Kong Stadium welcomed 26,210 spectators for the second Bledisloe Cup rugby union game.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 1 June 2013, the British and Irish Lions and Barbarian F.C. played a rugby union match at the Hong Kong Stadium.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes

The ground has hosted matches of the Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes since 1996 to 1997.

2009 East Asian Games

The stadium was used as the final venue for both the Rugby 7s and Football tournaments of the 2009 East Asian Games. Hong Kong's rugby 7s team and football team both made the final against Japan. The rugby 7s team finished second to Japan. While the football team defeated them in front of over 31,000 spectators, including Donald Tsang, winning the Hong Kong football team's first ever international medal.

2013 muddy turf fiasco

In 2013, during the Barclays Asia Trophy, Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio described the pitch as "a killer", while Manchester City centre-back Matija Nastasić is injured on the mudheap pitch, although Nastasić's injury was caused by a kick to the ankle according to City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who refused to blame the muddy pitch. Tottenham Hotspur manager André Villas-Boas was also critical of the pitch after Jan Vertonghen, a first-choice Spurs defender, incurred an ankle injury playing on the surface. "If I can be sincere, I would prefer not to play, but this is the reality that we have to face," said the Portuguese on the eve of his side's friendly against South China AA.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Manchester United then cancelled their public training session at the stadium on Sunday amid concerns over the playing surface, did not want to further damage the playing surface or risk any injuries to their players, ahead of their exhibition match with Kitchee SC on 29 July.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 30 July, the director of leisure and cultural services, Betty Fung Ching Suk-yee said returfing the much-criticised Hong Kong Stadium pitch is being considered, after football fans worldwide slammed the sodden, muddy surface during Barclays Asia Trophy matches on 24 and 27 July. South China FC chairman Steven Lo said in an official blog that recent matches have exposed a serious management problem. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said he has asked the Home Affairs Bureau and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department for short, medium and long-term remedies.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2015, with support from the Jockey Club, the pitch was completely returfed. The existing turf and soil was removed, the irrigation and drainage systems replaced, and new turf laid.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Non-sports events

Jean-Michel Jarre held a concert at the Hong Kong Stadium on 11 March 1994. It was the first event after the re-construction of the Hong Kong Stadium.

Alan Tam held a concert at the Hong Kong Stadium from 22 to 24 April 1994. It was the first local artist held here.

On 16 March 1994 British band Depeche Mode performed at the Hong Kong Stadium as a stop of its Exotic Tour/Summer Tour '94.

File:Scout Rally 2005 in Hong Kong Stadium.jpg

Hong Kong Stadium for Scout Rally

The only time the venue is used for live events is the Extravaganza of China Olympic Gold Medallists celebration show for the Chinese gold medallists.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Bon Jovi played a concert at the stadium on 25 September 1993 during I'll Sleep When I'm Dead Tour. It was their first concert in Hong Kong.

Canadian Paul G. Boyle illegally bungy jumped from the roof of the Hong Kong Stadium on the morning of Friday 24 May 1996. He was not arrested but was given a lifetime ban from all Urban Council facilities.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Facilities

Hong Kong Stadium can accommodate 40,000. The spread is as below:

• 18,256 at Main level
• 18,507 at Upper levels
• 3,153 at Executive levels
• 57 wheelchair spaces

In addition, there are many refreshment kiosks inside the stadium.

Other use

The stadium was supposed to be a multi purpose entertainment and sports venue, due to its much greater capacity compared to the other popular and over used Hong Kong Coliseum, where nearly all uses are now strictly for popular entertainment. However, its open-air nature has led to noise complaints from residents in tower blocks surrounding the stadium. It has not been allowed to host entertainment events since 1999.

Gallery

File:Hong Kong Stadium Panorama.jpg

Hong Kong Stadium

File:HKSeven09-FS.jpg

Hong Kong Stadium

• Error creating thumbnail:
  Steel frame that supports the canopy
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  East Grandstand
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  Walkway at the Grandstand
• Memorial plaque
  Memorial plaque
• lawn
  lawn
• ceremony
  ceremony
• 2009
  2009
• 2007, Barclays Asia Trophy
  2007, Barclays Asia Trophy
• 2006
  2006

See also

• Hong Kong Premier League
• List of national stadiums

External links

• Template:Oweb Template:In lang
• Picture of old Government Stadium and Hong Kong Stadium