Sport in to Hong Kong

Sports

Throughout the year, Hong Kong offers a stunning array of sporting events to satisfy the most ardent sports fan. Badminton, horseracing, rugby, cricket, golf, tennis, soccer, marathon running, squash and dragon boat racing are just some of the exciting events Hong Kong has lined up.

In less than two years, the Events Capital of Asia will host the equestrian events as Hong Kong's contribution to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. This colourful three-day event will feature more than 300 world-class riders and their horses. So, mark your diaries now and be sure to be in Hong Kong to catch all the colour and excitement of the 2008 Olympics!

Then in 2009, Hong Kong welcomes athletes from all over Asia for the 5th annual East Asian Games. Regional stars in track and field, swimming and martial arts, to name but a few of the events, battle it out for gold in these drama-filled contests. Come and see the stars of the future! You won't want to miss any of this exciting action in Asia's world city.

Click on our interactive calendar to find out about the latest upcoming events.


Badminton

Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships

Some of the world’s top badminton players will be in town for the Hong Kong Open Badminton Championship running from 28 August until 2 September. A total of 27 teams and 258 players from around the world including Indonesia, China, Korea and Hong Kong will compete. This event is considered a 6-star competition and is one of the qualifying tours of the IBF World Grand Prix that offers prize money worth US$250,000.

www.hkbadmintonassn.org.hk


Rugby

The 30th anniversary of the Hong Kong Sevens was celebrated with all the excitement, brilliant rugby and party fanfare that have made this one of the most celebrated sporting events in the world. From its humble beginnings in 1976, the Hong Kong event has pioneered the rugby sevens game to an internationally recognised phenomenon that attracts teams from the world's top rugby nations. Fans from near and far pack the 40,000-seat Hong Kong stadium to watch the 24 teams battle it out for three trophies. England took the 2006 honours with a thrilling last second try to defeat archrivals Fiji 26-24 and capture the Cup Championship for a record fourth consecutive time. Wales downed Kenya 15-5 to take the Plate Championship and China eclipsed Chinese Taipei 47-0 to capture the Bowl Championship.This annual weeklong celebration also features a one-day, 10-aside Rugbyfest, the Hong Kong Tens and a women's seven-aside tourney.


Hong Kong Sevens 2007

Next year's Hong Kong Sevens promises more thrills on and off the pitch. As the event is always sold out, start planning now to be in town at the Hong Kong Stadium for the 2007 Sevens! See you there!

Golf

It's golf action at its best as the stars of the game drive, pitch and putt their way around the prestigious Hong Kong Golf Club in search of their share of the US$2 million in prize money. Last year, Scotland's Colin Montgomerie snatched the title on the final day in dramatic fashion. This four-day event, co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour, is a must-attend event for all golf enthusiasts.

Date: 16 - 19 November 2006

Venue: Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling,
New Territories

For more information on the tournament, please visit their official website


Tennis

Some of the top names in the world of tennis come to Hong Kong to show off their talents and wow the crowds with their breathtaking skills. Be sure not to miss any of the exciting on-court action.

Champions Challenge 2007

The Champions Challenge, Hong Kong's annual premier women's tennis tournament slated for early January will once again feature eight of the biggest names in the game, including Maria Sharapova, currently challenging for the No 1 ranking in the world and who is making her fourth trip to Asia's world city to compete. The popular Kim Clijsters, the 2006 winner will also attend along with the formidable Chinese tandem of Zheng Jie and Yan Zi, ranked No. 2 in the doubles' world. Sure to bring the crowd to its feet will be the World No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova, also a former Grand Slam Champion. The eight players will play in singles and doubles competition. This is a must-attend event for sports fans!

Date: 3 - 6 January 2007
Venue: Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, Causeway Bay

For more information on the tournament, please refer to the official website

Davis Cup

After last year's success in the Davis Cup competition when Hong Kong won the Oceania Zone Group III Playoffs, the territory's top tennis players won't be able to sit on their laurels. They kick off the 2007 competition with matches against Indonesia in a qualifier at Victoria Park this coming February. So, make a date to watch some exciting action at the Causeway Bay courts.

The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis, the largest annual team competition in sport. With its nation-versus-nation format, it is one of the most successful sporting tournaments. From its humble beginnings in 1900 when only two countries took part, today this competition features tennis stars from many nations.

Date: 9 - 11 February 2007
Venue: Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, Causeway Bay

For more information on the tournament, please refer to the official website.


Hong Kong Marathon

More than 39,000 runners took part in the 2006 Hong Kong Marathon, Hong Kong's biggest outdoor sporting event. This event, part of the Greatest Race on Earth - with prize money worth more than US$1 million covering four marathons across four continents - has attracted some of the world's top runners from the USA, Europe and Africa. The event includes a full marathon, a half marathon and a 10 km run on courses that take participants past some of Hong Kong's most awesome scenery.

To learn more about this exciting event, visit the marathon's website. For information about other sports events, click here.

Date : 4 March 2007

Venue : Nathan Road (Outside Miramar Hotel), Tsim Sha Tsui (starting point)
Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai (finishing point)


Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon boat racing is held to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng) and is one of the most exciting sports you'll ever see in Hong Kong. With their crews straining on their paddles, these 15-metre-plus (50-foot) craft slice through the water with incredible speed. Local teams usually compete on Tuen Ng Festival Day (end May) and you can catch the action if you go to Aberdeen, Stanley, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Cheung Chau and Lantau Island.

Date : May 2006
Venue : Various locations throughout Hong Kong


Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races 2007

Come and celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng) and cheer on teams from around the world competing for prizes during this fun, fantastic competition. With crews straining on their paddles, these 50-foot-plus-long craft slice through the water with incredible speed bound for glory.

Date: 23 - 24 July 2007
Venue: Shing Mun River, Shatin

For more information on the races, please visit their website.


Horseracing

Horseracing is the sport that defines Hong Kong: fast paced, a field of international competitors, vast amounts of money and a favourite of all. From September to June, on most Wednesday evenings and weekends, hoofs pounding down the stretch can be heard at the two glittering racetracks: Happy Valley on Hong Kong Island and Sha Tin in the New Territories. Don't miss the prestigious international horse races like the Hong Kong Derby, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the Hong Kong International Races when world-class horses and jockeys fly into Hong Kong to compete for the world's richest purses. Check the Hong Kong Jockey Club's website for the latest horseracing information. It's a great day at the races, so why not join a Come Horseracing Tour. For information on more great events in Hong Kong please click on our interactive calendar.  


Soccer

One of the sporting highlights of the year, this international soccer tournament pits a select side from Hong Kong against some of the soccer powerhouses of the world. It's always a thrilling climax to the Chinese New Year holiday! To find out more about this great tournament, click here.

For information about other exciting sporting events, visit our interactive calendar.

Date : 18 & 21 February 2007
Venue : Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Causeway Bay



Equestrian events of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008

Hong Kong has been selected by the International Olympic Committee to host the equestrian events of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. It is estimated that the Equestrian Olympic event will bring 300 horses and 1,150 athletes for the three-day event, alongside some 30,000 staff, spectators and media.

Equestrian events are one of the 28 games in the Summer Olympics. They are among the few games where both male and female athletes compete on equal terms. Equestrian events consist of three disciplines: Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross-country Eventing producing altogether six sets of medals.

please visit their : www.beijing2008.com



2009 East Asian Games

Hong Kong is making preparations to host the 2009 East Asian Games, one of Asia's showpiece athletic gatherings featuring top-class athletes from around the region. As a prelude to this major event, the organising committee has set up a special gallery to enhance the public's understanding of the East Asian Games. Located within the Sports Centre in Hong Kong Park, the gallery displays are wide-ranging, including an introduction to the history of the ancient and modern Olympics, background information on the EAG, and updates on preparations for the 2009 games. Guided tours are held every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. For details, call 2601 7656.

please visit their : www.2009eastasiangames.hk