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Josh Ball

Hong Kong welcomed back its iconic Sevens rugby tournament for a 50th year on Friday, with an opening ceremony featuring robots, K-pop and a light show almost as sparkling as some of the action on the pitch.
Not even a hole in the roof of the HK$30 billion Kai Tak Stadium could put a dampener on proceedings, even if the rain that leaked in left some fans running for cover.
Even so, the thunderstorms that hovered over the city for much of the afternoon did little to deter spectators generally, with organisers announcing before the first day’s matches had started that all three-day tickets were sold out, leaving just a handful of single-day seats available on ticketing platform Klook.
And while the record daily attendance that officials had hoped for did not materialise, some 34,368 fans passed through the gates over the course of the day.


Those who made the trip got to see the city’s men and women make contrasting starts to their Melrose Claymores competitions, with the former brushing aside China 36-14, and the latter needing a last-gasp score from Chong Ka-yan to secure a 14-14 draw with Denmark.
And then there were the robots dancing with cheerleaders at the start of the opening ceremony, a first for a tournament that aside from moving venues has not changed a great deal since 1976.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board brought in the machines that had previously featured on CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala as part of its mission to showcase the city’s appeal.
“Over the past half-century, the Hong Kong Sevens has witnessed the development of rugby in Hong Kong, while also becoming a major annual international sporting event that draws worldwide attention, successfully attracting visitors from around the world to be part of it,” Peter Lam Kin-ngok, the board’s chairman, said.
“While enjoying world-class rugby, audiences can also experience the global-leading capabilities of China’s robotics, as well as Hong Kong’s distinctive charm as the ‘Events Capital of Asia’, where sports, innovative technology and culture come together.”

Once the machines had their moment in the spotlight, the humans took over, with K-pop girl group Primrose and Filipino singer Gwyn Dorado giving the crowd some musical respite after eight hours of action on the pitch.
Not that anyone was complaining, and the bucket-list nature of the event again drew first-time visitors from across the world, with fans from as far apart as the United States and Australia heading to Hong Kong this week.
Among the early birds in the famous South Stand were Australian Tara McClintock, 25, who alongside seven of her friends dressed up as the “Average Joes” from the 2004 comedy Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.
“This stadium is better than anything we have in Australia,” said McClintock, who was visiting the city for the first time. “It’s better than anything I’ve ever seen.”

Presumed rainwater can be seen pouring into Kai Tak Stadium on the first day of the Hong Kong Sevens, even though the roof is closed. The city is currently under an Amber Rainstorm Warning. pic.twitter.com/Yyo9qmufBb
— Connor Mycroft (@connor_mycroft) April 17, 2026

Americans Karen and Stefan Ekernas, who spent the day dressed as the Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam, said it was great to “be able to see the world through rugby”.
In years past, an amber rainstorm would have meant chaos for fans at the old Hong Kong Stadium, but it only caused slight embarrassment to Kai Tak Sports Park bosses when rain started getting through the roof.
According to a park spokeswoman, that was a result of “brief and minor seepage” during the activation of “anti‑leakage measures to enhance rain protection and prevent rainwater from entering the stadium during periods of heavy rainfall”.
The roof will remain closed on Saturday.


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Hong Kong Sevens

Hong Kong in Sevens heaven as dazzling display marks start of 50th year

Fans enjoy the action on day one in the South Stand. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong (dark shirts) brushed aside China 36-14 in their Melrose Claymores match. Photo: Karma Lo

Kai Tak Stadium welcomed more than 34,000 fans for Friday’s action. Photo: Karma Lo

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, day 1: Argentina, Black Ferns dominant, city’s men off to flyer

Hong Kong’s Liam Herbert breaks free of China’s defence at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Karma Lo

Gloomy weather can’t take shine off Hong Kong Sevens for visiting rugby fans

The Hong Kong Sevens got under way on Friday at Kai Tak Stadium.  Photo: Karma Lo

Stacking up empty beer cups on a snoozing rugby fan in the South Stand. Photo: Karma Lo

Fans are in party mood on the first day of the Hong Kong Sevens.  Photo: Elson Li

Sport

Hong Kong

Rugby

HK Sevens

Not even a leaky roof at Kai Tak Stadium can put a dampener on proceedings as 34,368 fans pass through gates on day one


Not even a leaky roof at Kai Tak Stadium can put a dampener on proceedings as 34,368 fans pass through gates on day one.


Hong Kong in Sevens heaven as dazzling display marks start of 50th year

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Not even a leaky roof at Kai Tak Stadium can put a dampener on proceedings as 34,368 fans pass through gates on day one

Not even a leaky roof at Kai Tak Stadium can put a dampener on proceedings as 34,368 fans pass through gates on day one