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Ambrose Li

Hosting the Asian debut of the Hyrox World Championships could bring more high-spending visitors to Hong Kong and the city’s selection as host may have been driven by its proximity to the vast mainland China market, experts have said.
The announcement that the pinnacle event of the fitness race would take place at the AsiaWorld-Expo in June next year was made on Thursday in Sweden, which is hosting the championships this weekend.
An estimated 1.5 million athletes are expected to have competed in Hyrox events in 95 cities during the sport’s 2025–26 season, and officials predict that number will grow to more than 2 million next year.
Only about 10,000 of the sport’s top athletes will be invited to Hong Kong for a chance to be a world champion.
Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said Hyrox was similar to marathons in attracting devoted participants, who would travel to different countries for major events.
“I believe these would be more sophisticated visitors to Hong Kong who could be more specific with their travel experiences,” he said. “Once they’re done with the competition, they might want to do something beyond … sightseeing.”
Chui noted that the Hyrox world championship had been held in the United States and Europe since the Covid-19 pandemic and many participants would have to fly farther for the Hong Kong event, suggesting they would have bigger travel budgets and could spend longer in the city.
In the face of competition from other international cities in Asia, such as Singapore and Tokyo, Hong Kong’s proximity to the lucrative mainland market could be one of the reasons the city was chosen for the Asian debut of the Hyrox championship, he said.
But Chui also pointed out that Hong Kong did not have as many venues for large-scale events as other prominent Asian cities, which authorities could aim to address.

Simon Lee Siu-po, a finance lecturer at Hong Kong Shue Yan University, agreed the championship could bring a different type of visitor to the city than those from the mainland, who made up the vast majority but tended to spend less.
“[The championship] is a good event as it involves high spenders who stay overnight normally,” he said. “Hong Kong should aim for these events rather than the large influx of same-day visitors. Although we need to entertain them, that should not be the focus.”
Lee added that the international airport connected to the rest of the world with a broad network of routes and the city’s good transport system were advantages in drawing such events, but the general high costs locally could also hold the city back.
Gary Ng Cheuk-yan, a senior economist at Natixis Corporate and Investment Bank, said that the Hyrox championship could “easily attract” thousands of athletes and spectators, who were likely to be higher-spending tourists who stayed longer.
“It aligns with the government’s push to attract more visitors and promote the city as an event hub,” Ng said. “Compared to other cities, Hong Kong has a vibrant fitness culture, great connectivity and a mix of unique hospitality offerings. If it is held regularly, it can be a tool to bring repeat visitors.”
Lawmaker Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, who focuses on the development of the sports industry in Hong Kong, said he was “greatly encouraged” by the announcement and considered it “significant” the event would take place in the city.
“I am delighted that the government has decided to offer its support, enabling this world-class event to take place in Hong Kong and be included in the calendar of major events,” Cheng said.


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By hosting next year’s event, city could lure thousands of athletes who spend more and stay longer than average tourist, experts say


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Will hosting Hyrox World Championships add muscle to Hong Kong’s tourism trade?

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}By hosting next year’s event, city could lure thousands of athletes who spend more and stay longer than average tourist, experts say

By hosting next year’s event, city could lure thousands of athletes who spend more and stay longer than average tourist, experts say