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Noel Prentice

Hong Kong Sevens fans will have to stomach a 20 per cent increase in tickets from HK$1,500 to HK$1,800 for next year’s tournament.
The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union blamed soaring operating costs in the millions of dollars in the past few seasons as the Cathay Pacific/HSBC tournament has been enlarged to 28 teams.

	We have had to increase the ticket prices to safeguard the financial viability of Hong Kong rugby

	Vern Reid, HKRFU chief executive
The quota of tickets available to the public will remain at 3,000 and a ballot will again be held. This includes individual daily passes for the three-day tournament to be held from March 27-29.
Adult daily ticket prices in the public ballot will be set at HK$300 for Friday and HK$750 for Saturday and HK$750 for Sunday.
As in previous years, children’s three-day ticket prices will remain at HK$150.
It is the first increase in three years after being raised 20 per cent to HK$1,500 in 2012. 
In 2009 an adult ticket cost HK$1,080. It was raised 15 per cent to HK$1,250 in 2010.
Online registration for the public ballot draw will begin on Saturday, November 1, and will close on Saturday, January 31, 2015. Once registration is complete, a separate ballot will be held for each day of the tournament. That draw will be held on February 4.
“With the expanded number of hosted teams at the Sevens, our operating expenses continue to rise significantly,” HKRFU chief executive Vern Reid said.
“As the Sevens is the primary financial driver of all domestic rugby, including our HK$118 million investment in developing pitches and sports training facilities in recent years, we have had to increase the ticket prices to safeguard the financial viability of Hong Kong rugby.
“With 70 matches and nearly 40 hours of world-class rugby and entertainment throughout the weekend, the Hong Kong Sevens is one of the best entertainment values in world sport,” Reid said.
In the past 12 months, HK$35 million has been invested in the development of new facilities or maintenance of existing facilities. Renaissance University will jointly open the latest HKRFU-funded pitch, at a cost of HK$5 million in December.
“Hong Kong Rugby relies on the proceeds from the Sevens to fund the development of the game and, especially in recent years, to fund the development of more sports facilities in Hong Kong to sustain our growth,” said Reid.
Ballot applicants can apply for a maximum of two tickets per day in any combination of one adult, two adults or one adult and one child ticket packages.
The HKRFU said that after the completion of the pre-sales period to local rugby clubs, stakeholders and the public ballot, 92 per cent of tickets would have been retailed in Hong Kong, with a further 6 per cent reserved for overseas ticketing agents and 2 per cent reserved for the participating teams.
It said its senior, youth and mini rugby clubs had enjoyed year-on-year growth of 10 per cent for the past few seasons.
The union also confirmed disco troupe Village People, famous for global chart-toppers like YMCA, Macho Man and In the Navy, will be the in-stadium entertainment, following on the heels of the Beach Boys and Queen Extravaganza in the past two years.
 


Hong Kong Sevens tickets increased HK$300 to HK$1,800

Hong Kong Sevens fans will have to pay 20 per cent more next year. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

A ballot will again be held for the 3,000 tickets available to the public. Photo: May Tse

Sport

Hong Kong Sevens fans will have to stomach a 20 per cent increase in tickets from HK$1,500 to HK$1,800 for next year’s tournament.


Hong Kong Sevens tickets increased HK$300 to HK$1,800

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hong Kong Sevens fans will have to stomach a 20 per cent increase in tickets from HK$1,500 to HK$1,800 for next year’s tournament.

Hong Kong Sevens fans will have to stomach a 20 per cent increase in tickets from HK$1,500 to HK$1,800 for next year’s tournament.