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Fifa World Cup: Hong Kong pubs, restaurants enjoy net gains from big matches

Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman says business ‘up 60 to 70 per cent’ in nightlife district and set to get ‘crazier’ for the final

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Norway’s Erling Haaland (right) has become an internet sensation in China. Photo: Xinhua
Patrons at Lin Heung Lau watch the England-Norway game. Photo: Edmond So
Students and parents at Buddhist Chi Lin Primary School enjoy a “Fun Day” World Cup watch party. Photo: Dickson Lee
Ambrose Li
Many bars, restaurants and shopping centres in Hong Kong have enjoyed brisk business thanks to the World Cup, with top nightlife district Lan Kwai Fong recording an up to 70 per cent jump in patronage for this year’s big matches.
Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman told the South China Morning Post that he had joined football fans in the entertainment district in Central for the England-Norway game in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“It’s [been] a crazy night. It’ll only get crazier once we get into the final,” Zeman said. “There are not many nights that get that full at 4am with both locals and tourists.

“Business is up 60 to 70 per cent,” he said, comparing important World Cup games involving big-name teams such as England, Brazil and Argentina to normal days.

But Zeman stopped short of sharing his expectations for the final, only expressing confidence that Lan Kwai Fong would be packed out for the occasion.

The World Cup has injected some much-needed buoyancy into business at local pubs, bars and restaurants, which have grappled with the years-long consumer trend of Hongkongers heading to mainland China for cheaper options.

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