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Hong Kong Eyes Future Rugby Championship Events
In an exciting development for rugby enthusiasts, Hong Kong is emerging as a potential host for upcoming Nations Championship finals at the newly constructed Kai Tak Sports Park. A senior executive from World Rugby has highlighted the city’s appeal as a desirable stop for the British & Irish Lions.
The inaugural Nations Championship finals, which will feature top international teams vying for supremacy, is set to take place in London in 2026, with Qatar slated to host the event in 2028. However, Hong Kong’s Kai Tak stadium is increasingly being put forward as a venue for subsequent championships.
The Kai Tak Sports Park recently made its mark by hosting the famed Hong Kong Sevens, marking its first international sporting event since its transformation from the former airport site in Kowloon. The redevelopment of this area, which now includes a 50,000-seat stadium, a 10,000-capacity indoor arena, and a track and field venue, was completed at a staggering cost of £3 billion.
On July 1, an exciting north London derby will take place at the Kai Tak stadium, where Tottenham will face off against Arsenal, marking the first time this rivalry is contested outside the UK. Additionally, Liverpool is scheduled to play against AC Milan.
Al Baxter, a former Australian prop turned architect, who played a significant role in the stadium’s development, expressed strong support for Hong Kong as a potential Nations Championship final venue, stating it would be an “ideal location” and that the city is “enthusiastic” about hosting the event.
The British & Irish Lions are also in search of warm-up fixtures ahead of their tour to New Zealand in 2029. The Lions previously played in Hong Kong in 2013 against the Barbarians, and Australia has hosted New Zealand in Bledisloe Cup matches at the venue in 2008 and 2010. While the 2013 match was plagued by extreme heat, the stadium’s innovative retractable roof now addresses that concern.
Alan Gilpin, CEO of World Rugby, affirmed the possibility of the Lions considering Hong Kong for future matches, noting that the conditions experienced in 2013 would contrast sharply with the improved environment offered by the stadium’s design, making for an impressive sporting spectacle.
The architectural advancements observed at the Kai Tak stadium may also provide insights into the £663 million refurbishment plans for Twickenham Stadium, as the Rugby Football Union has enlisted Populous for this ambitious redevelopment, scheduled to commence in 2027.
The decision to build the new stadium in Kowloon came as the old facility in Causeway Bay was deemed unsuitable, while Twickenham continues to face challenges concerning its modernization. Populous, renowned for designing major sports venues such as Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, is working to ensure that Twickenham’s upgrade respects the unique character of its surroundings.
“Every venue must be tailored to its environment,” explained Richard Breslin, Baxter’s colleague at Populous. “No two venues can be identical; they each must reflect their own distinct identity, whether in a sprawling metropolis or a smaller city.”
Gerard Meagher’s travel to Hong Kong was supported by Cathay Pacific, the sponsor of the Hong Kong Sevens.
Source
www.theguardian.com