In the meantime, the good news is the HKRU is pressuring the stadium management and vendors to maintain reasonable prices and improve access to water. But should it also shoulder some responsibility and provide a different water source?

One fan, Anna,who did not want to use her real name, had thought ahead and brought a CamelBak of water, but had it confiscated upon entry to the South Stand.

It was 30 degrees Celsius with no shade, and they are removing water?

She was allowed to take in her containers of fruit juice, along with a picnic pack.

“I thought it might be [confiscated],” she said. “But I think they need to make it more public on what you can or can’t take in.”

Some things are banned, particularly in the South Stand, as they can become projectiles for drunkards. But it seems unlikely that anyone would do anything rowdy with a Camelbak of water, let alone have the strength to throw it all the way to the pitch.

Robbie McRobbie, CEO of the HKRU, cited the dangers of full CamelBaks and other soft containers being thrown on to the pitch, along with the risk of smuggling illicit alcohol into the stadium.

“However, we are encouraged by the Hong Kong Stadium management’s willingness to review existing legislation around the issue of what fans may bring into the stadium over the event weekend in terms of reusable containers and will continue to work with all parties to press for new options,” he said, not only for improving fan experience butfor sustainability.

Some might argue that, having spent HK$1,950 on a weekend ticket, fans should be able to afford $35 for a bottle of water. But, if you are staying hydrated and drinking, say, five of these mini-bottles a day, that is an additional HK$525 or the option of missing a huge portion of the entertainment for the fountains.

South Standers soon realised ice was free. So they would order a cup and wait for it to melt, but when the bar staff cottoned on to the scheme they stopped handing out ice, one fan said.

“So livid. It’s unbelievably dangerous,” said Anna, who missed an hour of the rugby in a fountain queue. “People are drinking in the sun heavily, there’s no shade in the South Stand. It’s irresponsible of the vendors to prioritise profit over health and safety.”

One South Stander became so desperate for water he stole a box of water bottles from the storage room, but adds the decision was helped by alcohol.

McRobbie said organisers are aware that the stadium’s 13 water fountains have uneven pressure “contributing to some unacceptably lengthy lines for access over the event weekend,” adding they were working with stadium management to further enhance access to free water.

Philip Forsyth sat in the West Stand and the fountain nearest him had broken, while the other fountains had 40-minute queues.

He has visited the Las Vegas and Vancouver Sevens, and went to the World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, where water was readily available and fans were encouraged to bring their own reusable containers, he said.

But with the fountains out of action and the cost trickling up “we felt like we were being held to ransom for a basic requirement,” Forsyth said.

“I’m angrier on behalf of the visitors to the stadium that waited in line and missed games. In a hot and humid country, water is really important for an all day sporting event,” he said.

In some countries, such as Scotland or Australia, it is a legal requirement to provide free water if selling alcohol. The fountains might technically meet this requirement, but in reality they fall short.

The water issue is one of many reasons to be excited about the new stadium in Kai Tak. It may seem simple but it can make or break your Sevens experience.

But until the stadium opens in 2022, the HKRU should introduce other dispensers of free water – there are many portable or temporary options available these days – with staff monitoring and changing the containers to ensure they are still flowing. Even if all the permanent fountains were effective, 13 for 40,000 fans does not seem enough.

It may cost to introduce portable dispensers, but in the name of safety, attendee experience and fairness to fans who already spend a lot over the weekend , the final years at the Hong Kong Stadium need a solution.