Tokyo 2020 Olympics: a guide to where, when and how to watch the Games in Hong Kong

Whether you prefer to watch from your sofa, at a sports bar or on the big screen, we’ve got you covered
Experience various ‘live zones’ being set up across the city’s districts and the opening weekend’s ‘Olympic Fun Day’

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Maryann Xue

Published: 8:30am, 23 Jul 2021

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Despite being marred by pandemic concerns and controversy throughout the past year, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are actually happening. The postponed Games will officially kick off with an opening ceremony on Friday night and come to a close on August 8.

Forty-six athletes (including two reserves) will represent Hong Kong across 13 sports. It will be the second-largest delegation sent to the Games since the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Visit the SCMP’s special Tokyo 2020 Olympics website for news, insights and features on Hong Kong, China and other athletes at the Games.

China is sending a delegation of 777 people, with 431 athletes competing in 225 events across 30 disciplines – its largest ever overseas Olympic delegation.

Who are Hong Kong’s main medal hopes at Tokyo Olympics?

Virtually all events will be without spectators due to public health regulations. But here in Hong Kong, there are multiple ways to watch and support Hong Kong’s athletes.

Here’s a guide to where, when and how you can watch the Olympics.

Television

The spectator limitations mean that most of the world will be streaming events from the comfort of their homes.

The Hong Kong government bought broadcasting rights for the first time, allowing the public to watch the Games for free via five local television stations – TVB, ViuTV, Hong Kong Open TV, Cable TV and Now TV. Though broadcasting schedules have yet to be revealed, all stations will be streaming events with Hong Kong athletes.

Hong Kong’s badminton team will have plenty of support from local fans. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

TVB

TVB J2 will begin broadcasting the opening ceremony on Friday from 6.30pm, with TVB Jade’s broadcast beginning at 6.55pm.

Thereafter, TVB J2 will broadcast the Games from around 8am to 8pm every day, subject to minor scheduling variations. TVB Jade will broadcast from 8am on weekends and from 9.30am on week days, but there will be intermittent interruptions for daily news and weather reports.

ViuTV

ViuTV will begin its live broadcast of the opening ceremony at 6pm, but will then only broadcast events from around 4pm to 10pm each day.

Hong Kong Open TV

Fantastic TV will broadcast the opening ceremony from 6.30pm. Coverage of events over the next two weeks will begin at around 8am and are scheduled to continue past midnight, with short interruptions in between.

Cable TV

Channels 601, 602, 604, 605, 661, 662, 664 and 665 will be dedicated exclusively to broadcasting the games throughout the day.

Now TV

Sports channels 601 to 609 will likewise be dedicated to live broadcasts.

Olympics Live Zones

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has set up Live Zones at 18 designated sports centres, one in each Hong Kong district.

A launch event will be held at Kowloon Park Sports Centre at 5pm on Friday. The public will then be able to watch sports demonstrations and play-in programmes as well as listen to insight from several non-participating Hong Kong athletes.

The public can stop by other zones to watch live broadcasts starting from Friday night. From Saturday until August 8, all zones will be open from 8am to 11pm. All venues will display exhibition panels featuring Hong Kong’s Tokyo competitors.

Sports bars

Those who want to watch with family and friends over drinks and via a big screen can visit various Hong Kong sports bars.

Each establishment will follow its own broadcast schedule, so make sure to check with staff beforehand that they will be showing specific events.

McSorley’s Ale House, Rula Live, Wan Chai Stadium, and Trafalgar are among the more popular sports bars to have confirmed their intention to broadcast parts of the Games.

West Kowloon Art Park

A big screen has been installed at the Art Park in West Kowloon Cultural District for coverage from Friday until Sunday (July 23-25). The three-day Olympic Fun Day, organised by the Hong Kong Olympic Fans Club, will kick off with an opening ceremony live-stream. Due to ongoing social distancing rules, attendance will be limited to around 500 people.

The remaining two days will feature sit-down chats and performances from athletes, as well as game booths and a climbing wall. The venue will be open from 5pm to 10pm on Friday and from 11am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

During the Games’ opening weekend, other activities include a five-a-side football day at Victoria Park, a virtual sports experience at Olympian City in Tai Kok Tsui, and other events hosted by various associations.