Hong Kong Sevens: 23,000 tickets sold but stadium food ban ‘reducing demand’

Over half of general sale tickets have been bought, and eased quarantine rules ‘may make attending Sevens feasible’ for those overseas, rugby CEO says

Commissioner of Sports defends banning food but allowing drink, saying eating requires removing masks for longer and poses higher risk when gathering in groups

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The Sevens is returning, but with no food being served outside the corporate boxes. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 8:30am, 15 Oct 2022

Hong Kong rugby bosses said on Friday that with nearly three weeks to go until kick-off, they have sold nearly 23,000 tickets for next month’s sevens tournament.

Alongside the 16,500 tickets bought by members of the city’s rugby community, more than half of the 10,000 put on general sale for the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens have already been snapped up.

Organisers are also keeping some tickets in reserve in the hope that the continued relaxation of Hong Kong’s Covid-19 rules will encourage fans from overseas to attend.

Appearing on a radio show on Friday, Commissioner of Sports Yeung Tak-keung highlighted the fact that the number sold represented 60 per cent of the total capacity available at Hong Kong Stadium, which can normally hold 40,000 spectators but is operating at 85 per cent because of coronavirus restrictions.

Drinks can be served at this year’s tournament, but not food. Photo: May James

Robbie McRobbie, the Hong Kong Rugby Union’s CEO, said he was largely satisfied by the progress so far.

“We have achieved our traditional sales figures in the local market of over 20,000 spectators, and expect demand will continue to grow, both locally and internationally, as we approach kick-off,” he said.