Hong Kong can expect an invasion of tens of thousands of fans, which will help make the contest between the British and Irish Lions and the Barbarians XV a sell-out.
John Feehan, chief executive of the Lions, said 40,000 fans had followed the Lions on their 2009 tour to South Africa, surpassing the 30,000 that travelled to New Zealand in 2007.
The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union has faced sluggish ticket sales for the All Blacks' Bledisloe Cup game against the Wallabies in 11 days. Only 23,000 tickets have been sold forthe fourth clash to be played at the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium.
Yet the Lions match would attract far greater numbers of people, Hong Kong-based rugby fans claim.
Englishman Kevin Overton said: 'We are talking about a bigger spread of fans, from four home unions; even if you had a 60,000-seat stadium, it would be a sell-out.'
Welshman Gareth Page said: 'There will be huge interest. Not only will it catch the imagination of the local fans, but it will also attract a large number of fans on their way to Australia. The problem with the Bledisloe Cup is the outcome is done and dusted.'
