Hong Kong Rugby Union says it is ‘thrilled’ by number of sales, with organisers to also host 6,000 school students on first day.

Some 4,402 of the 10,000 tickets that went on general sale to the public last week have been sold, and with 16,500 already snapped up by city’s rugby community, officials say prospect of 21,000-strong crowd already ‘a win’.

Thursday marks the first time the wider public can buy tickets, after members of rugby clubs bought the first 16,500 for the tournament on November 4-6

All tickets available on first come, first served basis, from Hong Kong Rugby Union website, with prices frozen at 2019 levels.

Beer was on sale at Hong Kong Stadium during city’s 0-0 draw with Myanmar, but no food, with fans massing in stands – and applause on 47 minutes, believed to be in support of 47 pro-democracy politicians in custody.

Delivery riders may find themselves in demand to feed hungry rugby fans, with food unlikely to be on sale inside Hong Kong Stadium during the tournament.

Friday’s event charged with symbolism linking Hong Kong’s economy, its gradual return to normality, and its ‘most entertaining weekend’.

Tournament holds launch at city’s stock exchange, revealing details about how to buy tickets, which teams are playing in November, and the thorny issue of food.

Launch at stock exchange is designed to show city is open for business, after government – having first said teams must withdraw if they have one infection – agrees on threshold of five.

A number of questions surrounding the city’s landmark sporting event remain unanswered – but organisers are confident it will still go ahead.

Finance minister Paul Chan Mo-po ramps up government support for long-awaited return of Hong Kong Sevens, saying the flagship sporting event will ‘show the vitality of the city’.

Three months out from return of city’s flagship sporting event, get up to date with all the details on tickets, dates, teams and Covid-19 restrictions.

Hong Kong will be one of the teams to beat at this month’s Challenger Series in Chile, where the winners getting core status on the HSBC World Sevens Series for 2023.

City’s sports commissioner says consumption of food will be limited to specific ‘eating outlets’ at Hong Kong Stadium; rugby union will send staff around to remind people to put masks back on after drinking.

Hong Kong Rugby Union boss Robbie McRobbie says governing body’s approach can pave the way for likes of badminton, golf, snooker and triathlon to host their own major competitions.

Hong Kong Rugby Union chairman Patrick Donovan thanks government for its support, and promises ‘very special event’.

Readers discuss the proposal for a closed-loop rugby tournament, Shanghai’s Covid-19 response, the importance of face-to-face learning, and the costly impact of travel restrictions.

Advanced talks with government to overcome Covid-19 challenges and ensure it returns for first time since 2019. Teams and staff will have to stay in designated hotels, with local residents working at it also facing quarantine afterwards.

The Hong Kong Rugby Union sevens squads will have their first international competition since last November this weekend in the opening leg of the UK Super Sevens Series at Newbury RFC.

Max Woodward leads revived men’s squad into 6-week trip to Europe for training and tournaments ahead of World Cup Sevens, Asian Games and city’s own showpiece.

Tournament postponed five times during pandemic, but Finance Secretary says it will take place in November as part of plan to revive city’s reputation as international business hub.

Twelve staff to be made redundant as Hong Kong Rugby Union looks to save HK$30 million. Sevens delayed for fifth time with tournament not scheduled to be played until November next year.

City’s sports chief says while ideas were floated in talks, it is not financially viable for organiser to hold major rugby sevens event in contained space without spectators.

Hong Kong’s governing body for rugby has lost around HK$200 million because of the Covid-19 pandemic with CEO Robbie McRobbie saying hard decisions must be made.

The HSBC World Rugby Seven Series event has been moved to November next year because of uncertainty over quarantine and travel. Union warns that loss of revenue means they will have to look to cut costs across the organisation and community.

Hong Kong Rugby Union is ‘monitoring the situation’ and remains in ‘close discussion with the government on best practices’ after inclusion on 2021-22 calendar.