New HSBC SVNS venue – same magical Hong Kong weekend

Hong Kong isn’t just another stop on the HSBC SVNS Series tour. It’s a spectacle that defines the sport. It is legendary among players and fans, all eager to flock to the city on the Pearl River Delta. 

The tournament’s magic comes from its rich history, electric crowd and often challenging playing conditions. But, 2025 is a year of change. The tournament has moved from the iconic Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po to its new home at the Kai Tak Sports Park. 

For more than 30 years, teams battled it out at Hong Kong stadium, where the famous South Stand rises up into the overhanging jungle. The atmosphere is unrivalled – for players, running out onto the pitch felt like a spiritual experience. 

Since last year’s tournament, fans and players the world over have wondered whether that magic will carry over to the new venue.

I was lucky enough to be invited to join the Hong Kong China rugby sevens teams as they toured the new arena for the first time. 

It’s built on the site of Hong Kong’s old airport, which was known as one of the most dangerous runways in the world. Planes could be seen landing from the residential apartment blocks that lined the airport. 

Hong Kong hopes this new stadium will become a modern phenomenon and attract artists and events from across the world. The HSBC SVNS will be the curtain-raiser. A few weeks later, Coldplay will perform there. 

It is visually stunning. Where the old venue nestled into the rainforest, Kai Tak Sports Park has fully embraced the modernity of the city. The exterior is an ever-changing shade of blue and purple as sunlight dances off the panels at different angles. 

Entering the stadium, you are instantly hit by its size. The pitch is sunk into the ground, allowing the stands to rise steeply to the ceiling – a feature that reminded me of the East and West Stands at the old stadium. Every seat has an incredible view. 

The roof is a huge difference between the stadiums. Some of Hong Kong’s most famous moments have taken place in torrential rain, such as the All Blacks haka after winning the 2014 final. 

It’s anticipated that the roof will be open and closed over the HSBC SVNS weekend. I can see the benefit of both – having it open allows for the historic rain, but closed locks in and amplifies the energy and atmosphere. 

And then there’s the South Stand. Can the new venue replicate the magic of the old? For decades, fans travelled from all corners of the earth to experience the legendary party atmosphere. 

For me, the new South Stand is striking and will become mythical in its own way. 

It rises high above the pitch, and at its peak is a huge concourse which leads to a massive window that frames the Hong Kong skyline. It will be a unique environment in which to party and enjoy watching the world’s best SVNS action. 

The pitch at the old stadium was pristine. It was rarely used outside of the SVNS, which allowed the ground staff to prepare the grass to perfection. The new stadium is a multipurpose venue – and the turf was grown in China before being transported and installed a few weeks before the tournament. I’m interested to see how it holds up under its first big test. 

The Kai Tak Sports Park hopes to enhance the fan experience, and one of the ways it will try to do this is with the supporter’s village – where there will be entertainment and various rugby activities. Fans will even be able to watch teams warm up before games. The idea is to bring fans closer to the action. 

The new stadium will be a great experience for players and fans alike. I think enough historic elements that have made Hong Kong a special stop on the sevens tour are being preserved in one form or another, while new elements will elevate the experience. 

I am so excited to be there alongside over 120,000 fans to see which team will etch their names into the history books for winning the first HSBC SVNS title in Hong Kong’s new Kai Tak Sports Park venue. 

Catch all the action on March 28, 29 and 30.