AusLeisure

After more than three years away, last weekend’s Hong Kong Rugby Sevens has lived up to its reputation as the administrative region’s landmark sporting event, welcoming over 65,000 spectators over its three days.

Acclaimed by event hosts the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) as a “resounding success”, the staging of World Rugby’s flagship Sevens event is a matter of considerable importance for the local economy, marking the return of events to a city still impacted by pandemic restrictions.

Speaking to the South China Morning Post, HKRU Chief Executive, Robbie McRobbie stated “I’m sure people are fed up of me saying the Sevens was 95% of our revenue, but that’s the reality.

“You can’t run on fumes forever. We were approaching a situation where, if we couldn’t get this back up and running, we were going to run out of cash.”

Speaking of the implications of hosting the event, which had been cancelled in 2020 and 2021,  McRobbie added “it’s not just us - the guy doing the fireworks, the people who built the stage in the stadium, the people who run the buses, their businesses in the last three years have suffered.

“To me it’s more than the HKRU, it’s a sports event industry getting going again. There are people whose livelihoods have been devastated. If we don’t resurrect the sector now, these people will be gone.”

With the crowd mainly drawn from the local market, McRobbie is now hoping for a “bigger and better” Sevens as of next April with overseas fans expected to return in numbers.

Images: Australia secured last weekend’s Hong Kong Rugby Sevens trophy (top) and crowds at the last Hong Kong Stadium (middle and below). All images credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Related Articles

2nd November 2022 - Hong Kong Rugby Union and Tixserve agree digital ticketing partnership

26th September 2022 - Hong Kong Tourism Board welcomes easing of some of the world’s toughest travel restrictions

31st July 2022 - Hong Kong Sevens set to return for first time since 2019

28th July 2022 - Emirates extends Rugby World Cup partnership for 2023 and 2027 editions

26th July 2022 - Alan Lang appointed as new co-chair for Gay Games Hong Kong

9th June 2022 - Performance-focused active wear line launched by Hong Kong powerlifter

8th June 2022 - Land Rover partnership with World Rugby expands to support women’s Rugby World Cup 2021

8th May 2022 - Hong Kong Tourism Board announces revival plan in wake of COVID

15th October 2021 - 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series schedule unveiled

8th June 2021 - Community rugby head impact study involves World Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, the University of Otago and Prevent Biometrics

1st May 2021 - Hong Kong Rugby Union ‘confident’ that 2021 World Rugby Sevens Series will run with capacity crowds

26th March 2021 - World Rugby to back Super Rugby involvement of two Pacific Island teams

19th March 2021 - World Rugby confirms Alan Gilpin in Chief Executive role

17th March 2021 - World Rugby unveils global women’s competition calendar with annual WXV competition

10th March 2021 - World Rugby confirms postponement of this year’s women’s World Cup to 2022

5th March 2021 - World Rugby announces plans for ‘condensed’ Sevens Series

3rd March 2021 - World Rugby recommends 2021 Women’s World Cup be delayed for a year

11th October 2020 - World Rugby’s updated transgender guidelines ban transwomen playing at elite level

30th June 2020 - World Rugby cancels remainder of Sevens season

29th June 2020 - Hong Kong Tourism Board hosts Global Online Forum on post COVID-19 travel

8th May 2020 - World Rugby releases guidelines for top level matches to be held in closed stadiums

17th April 2020 - World Rugby announces US$100 million global relief package

31st January 2020 - World Rugby looks to create global tournament for emerging unions as of 2021

5th April 2019 - World Rugby Sevens in Hong Kong looks to sustainability in 44th year of competition

4th July 2018 - Singapore Rugby Sevens delivers successful fan experiences for families

15th November 2017 - Hong Kong Rugby Sevens assures fans that tickets are safe to purchase through Viagogo

11th April 2017 - Hong Kong Sevens continues as the pinnacle of the Sevens World Series

15th August 2016 - New Rugby Sevens variant to encourage sport participation

12th August 2016 - Growing popularity of Rugby Sevens prompts demand for new venues

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.