https://www.scmp.com/rss/521658/feed Founded in 2013, the Saudi Super Cup is an annual football competition contested by the winners and runners-up of the King's Cup and the Saudi Pro League. In 2025 it will be played in Hong Kong from August 19 to 23. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Dennis Lee Dennis Lee As it recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, Hong Kong desperately needs new trading partners and new markets. The government has been building bridges to the Arab world, and in particular, Saudi Arabia. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po and West Kowloon Cultural District CEO Betty Fung Ching Suk-yee have led delegations to Riyadh, promoting commercial and cultural exchange. Lee is pushing for the creation of an economic and trade office in Riyadh. Meanwhile,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3326691/hong-kong-must-tread-cautiously-its-saudi-business-dealings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3326691/hong-kong-must-tread-cautiously-its-saudi-business-dealings?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Sep 2025 08:30:09 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification It is evident that Hong Kong has enjoyed some incredible football moments this year. Last year, the entire city was abuzz with the prospect of watching Lionel Messi and his team Inter Miami,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3324133/after-showcasing-football-stars-hong-kong-must-focus-local-game?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3324133/after-showcasing-football-stars-hong-kong-must-focus-local-game?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Sep 2025 03:30:07 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Leading promoters are already plotting to bring more marquee football to Hong Kong after visits from English, Italian and Saudi clubs this summer. Nearly 100,000 fans watched Football Festival matches involving Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan at Kai Tak Stadium last month, before last week’s three Saudi Super Cup games drew a combined total of about 60,000 to Hong Kong Stadium. In May, Manchester United beat Hong Kong in front of 33,000, also at Hong Kong Stadium. And Paul... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3323088/english-premier-league-clubs-hong-kong-again-talks-open-revive-asia-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3323088/english-premier-league-clubs-hong-kong-again-talks-open-revive-asia-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:00:14 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing The city’s finance chief has pledged to speed up plans to establish a trade office in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, stressing the need for Hong Kong to further tap Middle Eastern investors seeking to diversify outside the US and Europe because of geopolitical risks. While Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also noted on his weekly blog on Sunday that there was potential to increase the frequency of flights between the two cities, Cathay Pacific said it would review its schedule and network... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3322971/saudi-super-cup-prompts-hong-kongs-paul-chan-press-riyadh-trade-office?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3322971/saudi-super-cup-prompts-hong-kongs-paul-chan-press-riyadh-trade-office?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Aug 2025 08:08:13 +0000 Tom Bell,Lars Hamer,Paul McNamara Tom Bell,Lars Hamer,Paul McNamara Football fans were granted most of their wishes at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday as the Saudi Super Cup concluded with a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo, even if the Portuguese was narrowly denied the silverware. Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr may have been beaten by Al-Ahli in a deciding penalty shoot-out, but the plaudits were largely for the man wearing No 7, the organisers’ star asset as they brought the tournament to East Asia for the first time. A crowd of about 30,000 cheered Ronaldo’s every... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3322945/ronaldo-wows-hong-kong-saudi-super-cup-given-very-satisfactory-verdict?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3322945/ronaldo-wows-hong-kong-saudi-super-cup-given-very-satisfactory-verdict?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2025 16:13:55 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr trophy drought will enter a third year after Al-Ahli twice recovered from falling behind to draw 2-2, then beat the Portuguese’s side 5-3 on penalties in Saturday’s Saudi Super Cup final. A shoot-out saw Ronaldo convert his kick, having earlier netted his team’s opening goal of the match, also from the penalty spot. But Edouard Mendy saved Al-Nassr’s fourth kick, from Abdullah Al-Khaibari, before Wenderson Galeno completed a perfect set of Al-Ahli penalties to win... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322940/saudi-super-cup-hong-kong-ronaldos-al-nassr-lose-final-penalties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322940/saudi-super-cup-hong-kong-ronaldos-al-nassr-lose-final-penalties?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2025 14:29:11 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Thousands of fans descended on Hong Kong Stadium to watch Cristiano Ronaldo play in the final of the Saudi Super Cup on Saturday. Even if the supercharged atmosphere that followed the footballing superstar to the arena earlier this week was somewhat reduced for the final, hundreds of fans had already arrived at the stadium in Causeway Bay two hours before Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr kicked off against Al-Ahli. And while the black clouds that prompted the No 1 typhoon signal threatened to put a dampener... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3322932/saudi-super-cup-ronaldo-mania-more-subdued-fans-return-hong-kong-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3322932/saudi-super-cup-ronaldo-mania-more-subdued-fans-return-hong-kong-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2025 12:43:07 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer For football fans who travelled from the Middle East to watch this week’s Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong, it was about much more than star individuals such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Whereas most of the Chinese spectators the Post spoke to were attending purely to see Al-Nassr captain Ronaldo, and to a lesser extent Al-Ittihad skipper Benzema, the Saudi fans saw it as an opportunity to support their teams at a competitive tournament. All four clubs attracted fan groups to the city... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322927/riyadh-hong-kong-saudi-super-cup-fans-make-presence-felt?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322927/riyadh-hong-kong-saudi-super-cup-fans-make-presence-felt?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2025 11:30:58 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The appearance in Hong Kong of Cristiano Ronaldo, one of football’s greatest players, has thrilled fans and further boosted the city’s reputation as a host for the sport’s superstars. Ronaldo fever will reach a peak on Saturday evening, when his Al-Nassr team plays rivals Al-Ahli at Hong Kong Stadium in the Saudi Super Cup final. The competition has built on the success of the Football Festival last month, which featured three leading English teams and one from Italy. A crowd of more than 30,000... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3322776/hong-kong-needs-more-facilities-ensure-football-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3322776/hong-kong-needs-more-facilities-ensure-football-all?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2025 22:45:08 +0000 Lorraine Chiang Lorraine Chiang Restaurants and bars near Hong Kong Stadium have enjoyed a spike in business of at least 20 per cent thanks to the city hosting the Saudi Super Cup and are gearing up for Saturday’s final when football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play again. More than 30,000 spectators watched Ronaldo and his team Al-Nassr beat Al-Ittihad 2-1 at the Causeway Bay stadium on Tuesday. Al-Nassr will play Al-Ahli, which swept aside Al-Qadsiah 5-1 on Wednesday evening, in the final. Yuga, a cha chaan teng, or... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3322566/bars-near-hong-kong-stadium-hoping-another-big-score-ronaldo-match?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3322566/bars-near-hong-kong-stadium-hoping-another-big-score-ronaldo-match?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 15:22:01 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Al-Ahli stand in the way of Cristiano Ronaldo and Saudi Super Cup glory after they beat Al-Qadsiah 5-1 in a heavily VAR-influenced semi-final at Hong Kong Stadium on Wednesday. On a night that felt very much like after the Lord Mayor’s show, 24 hours on from Cristiano Ronaldo mania sweeping the same venue, Al-Ahli were stung into action after Gaston Alvarez headed their opponents into an eighth-minute lead. Franck Kessie capitalised on some lax defending to equalise four minutes later, before... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322564/saudi-super-cup-al-ahli-sweep-aside-al-qadsiah-book-final-date-ronaldo-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322564/saudi-super-cup-al-ahli-sweep-aside-al-qadsiah-book-final-date-ronaldo-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 14:29:01 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Scenes outside Hong Kong Stadium on Wednesday could not have been any more different to just 24 hours earlier, when football megastar Cristiano Ronaldo pulled 30,000 fans from across the world to the venue in Causeway Bay. What a difference a day makes. Walking towards the stadium two hours before Wednesday’s 8pm kick-off, you could easily be forgiven for not knowing there was a match going to take place. Al-Qadsiah were playing Al-Ahli Saudi in the second semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup, by... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3322555/saudi-super-cup-post-ronaldo-slump-hits-second-semi-final-fans-mix-business-pleasure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3322555/saudi-super-cup-post-ronaldo-slump-hits-second-semi-final-fans-mix-business-pleasure?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:09:36 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Cristiano Ronaldo extended his Hong Kong adventure on Tuesday, creating the winning goal for 10-man Al-Nassr to beat Al-Ittihad 2-1 on a night of high drama at Hong Kong Stadium. With the teams level, and Al-Nassr reduced by the 25th-minute dismissal of Sadio Mane, Ronaldo galloped onto a ball from Nawaf Boushal in the 61st minute and unselfishly presented Joao Felix with the easiest of debut goals. When an original decision to disallow the strike for offside against Ronaldo was overturned, he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322419/saudi-super-cup-cristiano-ronaldo-creates-winner-al-nassr-beat-al-ittihad-semi-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322419/saudi-super-cup-cristiano-ronaldo-creates-winner-al-nassr-beat-al-ittihad-semi-final?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:26:18 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Thousands of football fans descended on Hong Kong Stadium hours before Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr took on Al-Ittihad in the first semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup on Tuesday. All roads leading to the stadium were a sea of jerseys sporting Ronaldo’s name on the back, as thousands from Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China and Saudi Arabia made their way to the ground. There was even one spectator wearing a shirt that combined Al-Nassr, Real Madrid and Manchester United colours and badges, all teams... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3322401/saudi-super-cup-ronaldo-fever-strikes-again-fans-flock-stadium-hours-kick?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3322401/saudi-super-cup-ronaldo-fever-strikes-again-fans-flock-stadium-hours-kick?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 11:39:09 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Hong Kong is this week playing host to the Saudi Super Cup, which is why Cristiano Ronaldo is in town. The tournament has been running annually since 2013 but this is the third edition of its four-team format. It brings together the winners and runners-up from the Saudi Pro League and the country’s King's Cup in a mini-tournament, comprising two semi-finals and a final at Hong Kong Stadium. Hong Kong is its third overseas host city after London – three times – and Abu Dhabi. Al-Nassr will play... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322374/saudi-super-cup-cristiano-ronaldos-hong-kong-who-else-coming?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322374/saudi-super-cup-cristiano-ronaldos-hong-kong-who-else-coming?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:47:58 +0000 Paul McNamara,Mike Chan Paul McNamara,Mike Chan As Cristiano Ronaldo prepared to play at Hong Kong Stadium on Tuesday, the Post was granted an exclusive tour of his CR7 Life Museum by members of his inner circle. Joining a delegation from his Saudi club, Al-Nassr, for the short stroll from their Regent Hong Kong hotel to the K11 Musea shopping centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, we spent around 30 minutes circling a testimonial to an extraordinary career. Jorge Jesus, the new Al-Nassr head coach, was particularly drawn to memorabilia celebrating... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322332/inside-cristiano-ronaldos-cr7-life-museum-and-al-nassr-meet-bruce-lee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322332/inside-cristiano-ronaldos-cr7-life-museum-and-al-nassr-meet-bruce-lee?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 07:00:10 +0000 Lars Hamer,Paul McNamara Lars Hamer,Paul McNamara Football clubs in Hong Kong have called for better communication from the city’s governing body after it cancelled bookings of facilities to hand them over to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and their rival Saudi Super Cup teams. Recreational groups and Premier League clubs received messages at late notice stating that pitches were to be taken off them so that the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) could block-book them for the four visiting Saudi sides. Premier League club Eastern... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322323/hong-kong-footballers-say-pitch-bookings-were-cancelled-ronaldos-team-use?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322323/hong-kong-footballers-say-pitch-bookings-were-cancelled-ronaldos-team-use?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 04:58:09 +0000 Lorraine Chiang Lorraine Chiang Hong Kong’s much-awaited hosting of the Saudi Super Cup, featuring football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, has brought thousands of fans to the city and may give a boost to restaurant operators, who are optimistic about an increase in business of up to 30 per cent. Fans have been following Ronaldo’s every move since his arrival in the city on Thursday last week, as they try to catch a glimpse of him training or making a surprise visit to his CR7 Life Museum at the K11 Musea shopping centre. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3322282/ronaldo-hong-kong-restaurants-eye-30-business-boost-saudi-super-cup-kicks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3322282/ronaldo-hong-kong-restaurants-eye-30-business-boost-saudi-super-cup-kicks?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:30:09 +0000 Paul McNamara,Mike Chan Paul McNamara,Mike Chan This week’s Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong could help deepen ties between two “very powerful countries” in Saudi Arabia and China, a leading executive from Cristiano Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr has said. The four-team competition is being staged in Hong Kong for the first time, with Al-Nassr set to meet Saudi champions Al-Ittihad in the first semi-final on Tuesday night. The two nations expanded cooperation during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 2022 visit to the kingdom, and Hong Kong has since forged... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322268/ronaldos-hong-kong-visit-can-boost-china-saudi-ties-al-nassr-executive-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322268/ronaldos-hong-kong-visit-can-boost-china-saudi-ties-al-nassr-executive-says?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2025 13:04:47 +0000 Wynna Wong,Emily Hung Wynna Wong,Emily Hung Cristiano Ronaldo has made a surprise appearance at a museum in Tsim Sha Tsui dedicated to honouring his career during his visit to Hong Kong for the Saudi Super Cup, with fans waiting for hours outside the venue to catch a glimpse of the football legend. A Post reporter saw Ronaldo arriving at the CR7 Life Museum in the K11 Musea shopping centre at 8.30pm on Sunday, with fans crowding the entrance and cheering as they spotted him touring the venue. The star player briefly stepped out and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3322149/cristiano-ronaldo-surprises-fans-museum-visit-hong-kongs-tsim-sha-tsui?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3322149/cristiano-ronaldo-surprises-fans-museum-visit-hong-kongs-tsim-sha-tsui?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Aug 2025 14:25:08 +0000 Mike Chan,Paul McNamara,Lars Hamer Mike Chan,Paul McNamara,Lars Hamer Al-Ahli, the last of the Saudi Super Cup teams landed in Hong Kong on Sunday and will stay at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Wan Chai, where they were greeted by over 50 fans. The fans, mostly men between the ages of 20 and 40, had come to catch a glimpse of former Premier League footballers Riyad Mahrez, Ivan Toney and Edouard Mendy. John Kulpakdeesinghworn, 41, travelled to Hong Kong from Thailand to see former Leicester City winger Mahrez. The country has a strong Leicester following, as the club... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322117/cristiano-ronaldo-al-nassr-head-early-sunday-training-session?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322117/cristiano-ronaldo-al-nassr-head-early-sunday-training-session?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Aug 2025 04:06:54 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Cristiano Ronaldo will travel to India to face FC Goa in an Asian Champions League Two match being hailed as “historic” in the country. Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia and their superstars were drawn on Friday against the Indian Super League (ISL) club in Group D of Asia’s second-tier club competition, along with Istiklol of Tajikistan and Iraq’s Al-Zawraa. The top two from each of the eight groups advance to the second round. “This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment for FC Goa,” club CEO Ravi Puskur... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322091/cristiano-ronaldo-match-goa-dubbed-biggest-indian-club-football-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322091/cristiano-ronaldo-match-goa-dubbed-biggest-indian-club-football-history?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 Aug 2025 09:41:39 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Cristiano Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr teammates on Saturday accelerated preparations for their Saudi Super Cup campaign in Hong Kong by holding a training session at the city’s Football Training Centre. Footage obtained by the Post showed Portuguese attacker Ronaldo and his colleagues being put through their paces on Saturday morning on sun-drenched pitches in Tseung Kwan O, at the centre owned by the Football Association of Hong Kong, China. Al-Nassr posted videos on their social media accounts of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322083/cristiano-ronaldo-al-nassr-prepare-hong-kongs-football-training-centre?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322083/cristiano-ronaldo-al-nassr-prepare-hong-kongs-football-training-centre?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 Aug 2025 05:40:44 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Cristiano Ronaldo landed in Hong Kong on Thursday, sparking excitement as fans vied to catch a glimpse of the football superstar. A crowd gathered at the Regent Hong Kong hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui during the morning after word spread of the Portuguese’s rumoured arrival ahead of next week’s Saudi Super Cup, which is being staged in the city. They were rewarded shortly before 3pm local time when Ronaldo – who last month opened a museum in Hong Kong chronicling his career – arrived with his teammates... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3321812/cristiano-ronaldo-hong-kong-fans-gather-hotel-al-nassr-arrival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3321812/cristiano-ronaldo-hong-kong-fans-gather-hotel-al-nassr-arrival?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Aug 2025 05:22:59 +0000 Reuters Reuters Al-Hilal will be banned from next year’s Saudi Super Cup if they qualify, after their recent withdrawal from this month’s four-team competition in Hong Kong. The Saudi Arabia Football Federation’s (SAFF) disciplinary and ethics committee announced the decision on Tuesday. It came after holders Al-Hilal pulled out of the Super Cup, scheduled to be played in Hong Kong from August 19 to 23, citing player fatigue following their Club World Cup campaign. They lost 2-1 to Fluminense in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320897/al-hilal-sanctioned-skipping-hong-kong-hosted-saudi-super-cup-blaming-club-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320897/al-hilal-sanctioned-skipping-hong-kong-hosted-saudi-super-cup-blaming-club-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Aug 2025 03:46:48 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Asian champions Al-Ahli will replace Al-Hilal in next month’s Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong, it has been confirmed. Al-Hilal officially withdrew this week, citing concerns over player fatigue following their involvement in the Fifa Club World Cup in the United States. They beat Manchester City in the last 16 of that competition before losing to Fluminense in the quarter-finals. Winners of the AFC Champions League Elite crown in May, Al-Ahli’s squad includes former English Premier League stars... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3319285/mahrez-toney-firmino-are-hong-kong-bound-al-ahli-replace-al-hilal-saudi-super-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3319285/mahrez-toney-firmino-are-hong-kong-bound-al-ahli-replace-al-hilal-saudi-super-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Jul 2025 09:17:49 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Al-Hilal have confirmed their “first football team” would not play in next month’s Saudi Super Cup, saying they were told only a month ago, when they were already in the US competing in the Club World Cup, that the event would be in Hong Kong. In a statement posted on the club’s website on Monday, Al-Hilal said they had written to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to explain their decision, and emphasised the “exceptional circumstances” behind the move. The Riyadh-based club, who have won... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3318977/al-hilal-say-first-team-will-not-play-hong-kongs-saudi-super-cup-because-fatigue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3318977/al-hilal-say-first-team-will-not-play-hong-kongs-saudi-super-cup-because-fatigue?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Jul 2025 06:24:45 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Al-Hilal have reportedly withdrawn from next month’s Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong, although that did not stop fans snapping up the first tranche of tickets on Tuesday. The defending champions, who reached the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup earlier this month, cited player exhaustion as their reason for pulling out in communications with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), according to several media reports. Riydah-based sports journalist Hamad Al-Suwailihi also posted on X that... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3318263/saudi-super-cup-hong-kong-sells-out-hours-al-hilal-withdraw-over-tired-players?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3318263/saudi-super-cup-hong-kong-sells-out-hours-al-hilal-withdraw-over-tired-players?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Jul 2025 07:25:28 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball HSBC has signed a multi-year partnership with LIV Golf that will see it sponsor two of the league’s 13 teams, as well as becoming the Saudi-backed circuit’s official banking partner. The agreement, which was announced on Thursday, runs for the whole of LIV’s 14-event season, starting at this week’s LIV Golf Andalucia at Real Club Valderrama in Spain. Hong Kong’s largest lender will also support Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC, who won the team title in the city in 2024, and the Majesticks GC... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3317739/hsbc-and-liv-golf-sign-multi-year-deal-bank-back-leagues-14-event-season-2-teams?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3317739/hsbc-and-liv-golf-sign-multi-year-deal-bank-back-leagues-14-event-season-2-teams?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Jul 2025 11:20:27 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hosting the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong denoted a “strengthening of the ties” with the desert kingdom, and reflected the city’s growing status as a world-class sporting hub, local football chief Eric Fok Kai-shan said on Wednesday. Speaking at the official launch of next month’s tournament – which, with Kai Tak Stadium unavailable, will be held at Hong Kong Stadium – Fok called it an “opportunity to showcase our city’s energy, hospitality and passion for football”. It will mark the first time... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3317589/hong-kong-hosting-saudi-super-cup-shows-deepening-ties-football-chief-fok-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3317589/hong-kong-hosting-saudi-super-cup-shows-deepening-ties-football-chief-fok-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Jul 2025 13:33:44 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Cristiano Ronaldo could be among an array of big-name footballers descending on Hong Kong in August after it was confirmed the city would stage the Saudi Super Cup. The four-team tournament, involving Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah, will be staged at Hong Kong Stadium from August 19 to 23. Kai Tak Stadium is reportedly set to stage a series of concerts in August by Hong Kong singer G.E.M., which would make it unavailable for the Saudi fixtures. Superstar Ronaldo has spent the past... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3314447/cristiano-ronaldo-play-hong-kong-city-host-saudi-arabia-super-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3314447/cristiano-ronaldo-play-hong-kong-city-host-saudi-arabia-super-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Jun 2025 09:32:19 +0000