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PUBLISHED ON 28 MAR 2025
The world came to party at Hong Kong's sparkling new Kai Tak Stadium on Friday and the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 duly raised its game to match the historic occasion.
Out on the field, there were fireworks as 2024/25 HSBC SVNS Series leaders Argentina (men) and New Zealand (women) both finished the day with two wins, while the Hong Kong, China men and women opened the Melrose Claymores tournament with victories as well.
Above it all there was a stunning laser show, too, at the tournament’s official opening ceremony, as an 33,735-strong crowd gathered to usher in a new era for the iconic tournament, and for the city that hosts it.
With the most tickets ever sold for the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens – at over 130,000 across three days – a record crowd is being treated to an action-packed weekend both on and off the pitch.
“Today we opened an exciting new chapter in the storied history of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and it was an honour to finally open the Kai Tak Stadium both for the people who have played such an integral part in building that history – the fans – and for the city that supports us,” said Mr Chris Brooke, Chairman of organisers Hong Kong China Rugby.
“As always, these fans turned up in huge numbers, from across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, as well as from all over the world, and they have helped get the party started. The atmosphere has been electric, and this will only build from now as the weekend plays out.”
Among their number on Friday was Fijian superfan Peni Serukeibau, bright blue wig in place and back for his eighth edition of a tournament that his nation – record 19-times winners here - holds closer to its heart than any other.
“We’re not only here from Fiji, there’s everyone from everywhere,” he said. “We've got a group down there that have come from the United States, they’ve come from Dubai, they’ve come from England - we've come from all over the world. It’s a global sport and we’re just joining all those dots here in Hong Kong.”
It was already worth the trip. Argentina warmed up for a tilt at a third HSBC SVNS Series in a row with two barnstorming victories on day one (35-7 over Ireland and 52-5 over USA), while the series-leading New Zealand women laid down a marker, too, beating China 55-0 and USA 33-21.
Local fans really let rip when Hong Kong, China got their respective campaigns underway, the men beating China 31-7 and the women beating Kazakhstan 29-14.
Chong Ka-yan was the first Hongkonger to score at the Kai Tak Stadium and soaked up the moment. “I was very pumped,” she said. “My family and friends and all of Hong Kong were out here cheering for us and the feeling is just so amazing. That was my gift to them all.”
The honour of scoring the first-ever Hong Kong Sevens try at the tournament’s new home went to Canadian flyer Fancy Bermudez, who crossed the line two minutes in against Japan in the day’s opening game.
“I feel great,” she said. “Hong Kong's one of my favourite stops ever, so I'm super grateful that I was able to do that. But that wasn't just me, that was my whole team, so I'm grateful that Canada scored the first try here.”
There was also a thumbs up to the new home for the Hong Kong Sevens. “I think it's amazing. it's like nothing like we've seen before - this is the best stadium by far,” said Bermudez.
After catching their collective breath following all Friday’s excitement, fans can look forward to international recording artists the Kaiser Chiefs, DJ Pete Tong and Gala performing on an 18-metre-wide stage overlooking the re-imagined South Stand at Kai Tak, as well as DJs, bands and dance troupes in the event's all-new Fan Village as the weekend plays out.
The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is proud of being an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital. The “M” Mark awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolises intense, spectacular and signature events in the territory’s sports calendar.