[Hong Kong, 2 April 2024]: Befitting of its 30^th anniversary at Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong Sevens organisers Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) have confirmed today that this weekend’s event will be a first sellout since the pandemic. More than 39,500 of the 40,000 available tickets have been sold, with all remaining tickets expected to be snapped up by fans within the next 24 hours, as the tournament and the city returns to its tourist-pleasing best.

Mr Chris Brooke, Chairman of Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) said: “Hong Kong China Rugby is delighted to once again welcome thousands of local fans and visitors from across the region and the rugby world back to the city for the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024. “

This year’s event has seen a renewed interest amongst international visitors, with current overseas ticket sales returning to over 40 of totals in 2024, supported by strong uptake from the UK, Australia and Fiji. This figure is up from just 23% in 2023 and 3% in 2022 during the pandemic.

“This is a very special year for the tournament as we mark three decades inside the Hong Kong Stadium, and we are overwhelmed at the response of the fans to this milestone year and hopeful of recording our first full house since the pandemic. With the rugby as riveting as ever, Hong Kong is set to once again thrill the 120,000 visitors over the coming three days with another weekend of world-class rugby revelry” Brooke continued.

This year’s entertainment and music line-up includes reggae legends The Wailers, Journey’s Arnel Pineda, DJ James Haskell – the former England international and British & Irish Lions star – Hong Kong singing sensation Celine Tam and emerging all-female Cantopop group, Lolly Talk. It has also just been confirmed that Taiwanese cheerleading squad, the Rakuten Girls, will also send a team of eight to make a highly anticipated tournament debut.

This is the last chance for fans to secure tickets and make incredible memories at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024, from 5-7 April. All remaining tickets are available via the official website at www.hksevens.com.

The traditional Sevens Week of activities is already well underway, playing host to more than 20 breakfasts, brunches, lunches, drinks and dinner functions – as well as summits organised by consulates, chambers of commerce, societies and, of course, local rugby clubs. The Tradition Hong Kong Football Club 10s and Kowloon RugbyFest 10s Tournaments will both play out before Friday’s Sevens kick-off. This year, HKCR has partnered with Brand Hong Kong to deliver The Hong Kong Sport & Sustainability Summit (Wednesday 3 April), while HKCR will also host the International Sports and Emergency Medicine Symposium together with Gleneagles Hospital (Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 April). Branded, in association with The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Hong Kong China Rugby, is excited to bring Sports Matters to Hong Kong on the eve of the iconic Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, on Friday 5 April.

Today, Hong Kong China Rugby also announced that they have surpassed an incredible 300,000 followers across their social media platforms. To mark the occasion – and express gratitude to fans around the world for supporting the Hong Kong Sevens – a dazzling dragon artwork was created in lights against the iconic stadium backdrop by a Chinese light painting artist, former China National team player and former Japan Top League Player, Roy Wang. The display was supported by YIU, Kam Shing and LEE, Ka To Cado (both named in Hong Kong China’s Melrose Claymores men’s sevens squad) alongside Hong Kong China women’s sevens player Melody Li Nim-Yan.

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, symbolising intense, spectacular and signature event in the territory sports calendar.