Hong Kong Stadium
Encyclopedia
Hong Kong Stadium is the main sports venue of Hong Kong. Redeveloped from the old Government Stadium it reincarnated as Hong Kong Stadium in 1994. It has a maximum seating capacity
of 40,000, including 18,240 at the main level, 3,153 executive seats, 18,559 upper level seats and 48 seats for wheelchair users.
The stadium is located in So Kon Po
, Hong Kong Island
, a valley near Causeway Bay
. Most international football matches held in Hong Kong are held at this stadium. It is also the location for the Hong Kong Sevens
rugby sevens
tournament. Hong Kong Stadium also hosted the IRB
Rugby World Cup Sevens
twice, in 1997 and 2005.
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 constructed by 1953 and had a capacity of 28,000. It witnessed the best times of Hong Kong football in the 60s and 70s. At the time, the stadium would be packed full of spectators when a top of the league clash happened and a red flag would be hoisted. Eager spectators without tickets would climb the hill behind the stadium to see the game.
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.
Even before the reconstruction, the Government Stadium was Hong Kong's most important sports venue, with a clay running track around the football field. As the focus on the design was for football only, the track went to 450m, 50m longer than standard. Numerous schools held their athletic meetings here.
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 local urban council, were disappointed. 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."
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.
.
In the end, the Hong Kong government was judged to have wrongfully terminated the management agreement and had to pay over HK$20million in damages to Wembley Plc.
Hong Kong Stadium is now managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
of Hong Kong, after the Urban Council was disbanded.
held a concert at the Hong Kong Stadium from 22 April to 24 April 1994. It was the only solo concert held here.
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
.
Canadian Paul G. Boyle
illegally bungy jumped from the roof of the Hong Kong Stadium on the morning of Friday 24 May 1996.[2] He was not arrested but was given a lifetime ban from all Hong Kong urban council facilities. Saturday 25 May 1996, the publicity stunt was front page news of the leading English newspaper the South China Morning Post (SCMP) as well as other leading newspapers world wide.
, a rugby competition between Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand won the match, 19-14.
. Hong Kong's rugby 7s team and football team both made the final against Japan. The rugby 7s team finished second to Japan but the football team defeated them in front of over 31,000 spectators, including Donald Tsang
.
In 2010/11 football season, only South China use the Hong Kong Stadium as the home stadium.
and Hong Kong have also been proposed to host five matches respectively. The Hong Kong Stadium, with a capacity of 40,000, may host matches.
. 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.
In addition, there are many refreshment kiosks inside the stadium.
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. A new multi-purpose stadium at South Eastern Kowloon is currently in the planning stage, when it is completed, the Hong Kong Stadium will be demolished to make way for housing developments.
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 40,000, including 18,240 at the main level, 3,153 executive seats, 18,559 upper level seats and 48 seats for wheelchair users.
The stadium is located in So Kon Po
So Kon Po
So Kon Po is located in the south of Causeway Bay and Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong, neighbours upon Caroline Hill and Jardine's Lookout....
, Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
, a valley near Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay is a heavily built-up area of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, located on the Hong Kong Island, and covering parts of Wan Chai and Eastern districts. The Chinese name is also romanized as Tung Lo Wan as in Tung Lo Wan Road...
. Most international football matches held in Hong Kong are held at this stadium. It is also the location for the Hong Kong Sevens
Hong Kong Sevens
The Hong Kong Sevens is considered the premier tournament on the IRB Sevens World Series in rugby sevens—a variant of rugby union....
rugby sevens
Rugby sevens
Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by the International Rugby Board , the body responsible for rugby union worldwide...
tournament. Hong Kong Stadium also hosted the IRB
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
Rugby World Cup Sevens
Rugby World Cup Sevens
The Rugby World Cup Sevens is the premier international Rugby sevens competition. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Rugby Board , and is contested by the men's national sevens teams every four years. The inaugural tournament was held in 1993 in Scotland, the...
twice, in 1997 and 2005.
History
So Kon PoSo Kon Po
So Kon Po is located in the south of Causeway Bay and Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong, neighbours upon Caroline Hill and Jardine's Lookout....
was formerly the burial ground for the 1918 fire at Happy Valley Racecourse
Happy Valley Racecourse
Happy Valley Racecourse is one of the two racecourses for horse racing in Hong Kong. It is located in Happy Valley on Hong Kong Island, surrounded by Wong Nai Chung Road and Morrison Hill Road.-History:...
. Then the Hong Kong Government moved all the tombs to Aberdeen. The old Government Stadium was constructed by 1953 and had a capacity of 28,000. It witnessed the best times of Hong Kong football in the 60s and 70s. At the time, the stadium would be packed full of spectators when a top of the league clash happened and a red flag would be hoisted. Eager spectators without tickets would climb the hill behind the stadium to see the game.
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.
Even before the reconstruction, the Government Stadium was Hong Kong's most important sports venue, with a clay running track around the football field. As the focus on the design was for football only, the track went to 450m, 50m longer than standard. Numerous schools held their athletic meetings here.
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
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
, against strong competition, in March 1994.
From the first day there have been serious problems with the pitch. The owners of the stadium, the local urban council, were disappointed. It came under fire from local football officials, sports promoters and even Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
, 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."
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
Wembley
Wembley is an area of northwest London, England, and part of the London Borough of Brent. It is home to the famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena...
, 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 returf the entire pitch of the Hong Kong Stadium. 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. BoylePaul G. Boyle
Paul G. Boyle is a Canadian award winning documentary filmmaker based in Hong Kong.He came to prominence in 2008 with a documentary Coming Clean-Early life:...
.
In the end, the Hong Kong government was judged to have wrongfully terminated the management agreement and had to pay over HK$20million in damages to Wembley Plc.
Hong Kong Stadium is now managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Leisure and Cultural Services Department
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department , often abbreviated as LCSD, is a department in the Government of Hong Kong. It reports to the Home Affairs Bureau, headed by the Secretary for Home Affairs. It provides leisure and cultural activities for the people of Hong Kong, which was also one of...
of Hong Kong, after the Urban Council was disbanded.
Non-sports events
Alan TamAlan Tam
Wing Lun Alan Tam, MH is an award-winning Hong Kong Cantopop and English pop singer and actor. During the early 1980s he played a major role in developing the cantopop scene as he was known for singing romantic ballads with modern arrangements. As of 2008, he is still active in the music...
held a concert at the Hong Kong Stadium from 22 April to 24 April 1994. It was the only solo concert held here.
China at the 2008 Summer Olympics
China was the host nation of the 2008 Summer Olympics.China was represented by the Chinese Olympic Committee , and the team of selected athletes were officially known as Team China....
.
Canadian Paul G. Boyle
Paul G. Boyle
Paul G. Boyle is a Canadian award winning documentary filmmaker based in Hong Kong.He came to prominence in 2008 with a documentary Coming Clean-Early life:...
illegally bungy jumped from the roof of the Hong Kong Stadium on the morning of Friday 24 May 1996.[2] He was not arrested but was given a lifetime ban from all Hong Kong urban council facilities. Saturday 25 May 1996, the publicity stunt was front page news of the leading English newspaper the South China Morning Post (SCMP) as well as other leading newspapers world wide.
2008 Bledisloe Cup
On 1 November 2008, the ground became the first stadium outside of Australia or New Zealand to host a match of the Bledisloe CupBledisloe Cup
Rugby Union's Bledisloe Cup is contested by the Australia national rugby union team and New Zealand national rugby union team. It is named after Lord Bledisloe, the former Governor-General of New Zealand who donated the trophy in 1931. The trophy was designed in New Zealand by Nelson Isaac, and...
, a rugby competition between Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand won the match, 19-14.
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 Games2009 East Asian Games
The 2009 East Asian Games, officially known as the V East Asian Games, was an international multi-sport event that took place in Hong Kong, between 5 December and 13 December 2009. A total of 2,377 athletes from 9 East Asian national competed in 262 events in 22 sports...
. Hong Kong's rugby 7s team and football team both made the final against Japan. The rugby 7s team finished second to Japan but the football team defeated them in front of over 31,000 spectators, including Donald Tsang
Donald Tsang
Sir Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, GBM, KBE is the current Chief Executive and President of the Executive Council of the Government of Hong Kong....
.
Hong Kong First Division League
South China and Kitchee had used the sports ground as the home stadium in 2009–10 season.In 2010/11 football season, only South China use the Hong Kong Stadium as the home stadium.
2019 Rugby World Cup
In addition to the nine venues located in Japan, one venue each from SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and Hong Kong have also been proposed to host five matches respectively. The Hong Kong Stadium, with a capacity of 40,000, may host matches.
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 SCKuwait SC
Kuwait Sporting Club is a Kuwaiti professional football club. They have won the Kuwaiti Premier League 10 times, with the most recent one coming in 2008. Kuwait SC also has 23 trophies to their name in Kuwaiti Club Football history. Kuwait SC plays in Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in Al Asimah,...
. This was added to in the same year by the 2009 East Asian Games
Football at the 2009 East Asian Games
-Group B:---------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Bronze medal match:-Gold medal match:-Medalists:-External links:* * *...
football final between Hong Kong U23
Hong Kong national under-23 football team
Hong Kong Olympic Football Team represents Hong Kong in international football competitions in the Olympic Games, the Asian Games, the East Asian Games, as well as any other under-23 international football tournaments...
and Japan U23
Japan national under-23 football team
The Japan national under-23 football team is a national association football youth team of Japan and is controlled by the Japan Football Association.-Olympic Games Rosters:*1996 Olympic Games*2000 Olympic Games*2004 Olympic Games*2008 Olympic Games...
. Although there were empty seats in the stadium, all tickets were sold or distributed.
Facilities
Hong Kong Stadium can accommodate 40,000. The spread is as below:- 18,256 at Main level
- 18,507 at Upper levels
- 3153 Suite levels
- 53 wheelchair spaces
- 4 minder seats
In addition, there are many refreshment kiosks inside the stadium.
Other use
The stadium was supposed to be a multi purposeMulti-purpose stadium
Multi-purpose stadiums are a type of stadium designed in such a way as to be easily used by multiple sports. While any stadium could potentially host more than one sport, this concept usually refers to a specific design philosophy that stresses multi-functionality over specificity...
entertainment and sports venue, due to its much greater capacity compared to the other popular and over used Hong Kong Coliseum
Hong Kong Coliseum
Hong Kong Coliseum is a multi-purpose indoor arena, in Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.It was built by the Urban Council and inaugurated on 27 April 1983....
, 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. A new multi-purpose stadium at South Eastern Kowloon is currently in the planning stage, when it is completed, the Hong Kong Stadium will be demolished to make way for housing developments.