Hong Kong’s John Lee calls for mega stadium to open on time by first quarter of 2025

• Chief Executive John Lee also urges government task force to run drills to flag operational hurdles ahead of opening of Kai Tak Sports Park

Hong Kong’s leader has called for a new stadium to open on schedule by the first quarter of next year to create a stage for local athletes while promoting synergy between the sports, entertainment and tourism sectors for greater economic benefits.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Sunday the Kai Tak Sports Park, a mega project that includes a 50,000-seat main stadium, was largely complete when he visited the site alongside members of an inter-department task force last week.

The task force had also overseen a series of drills to ensure crowds could disperse smoothly, as part of efforts to encourage the use of public transport, he said.

Lee said the new stadium would be mentioned in his annual policy address in October.

“I demanded the inter-department task force ensure the Kai Tak Sports Park will be completed on schedule to strengthen Hong Kong’s strategic position as a city for mega events,” he wrote on social media.

“The Kai Tai Sports Park will hold a grand opening in the first quarter of next year. We look forward to having our local star athletes performing on this world-class stage at the main stadium.”

The task force’s leadership consists of No 2 official Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun and Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung.

Other senior members include Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung and transport minister Lam Sai-hung.

Lee said the ministers had informed him of arrangements for crowd management, the park’s facilities and plans for promoting the local sports sector.

The chief executive also urged the group to pay attention to small details and use drills and the soft opening to uncover any operational challenges so authorities could respond effectively.

The park includes a main stadium, an indoor sports centre and a public sports ground, among other facilities, with the price tag for the entire project reaching HK$30 billion (US$3.8 billion).

The site is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of next year and is expected to become a landmark sports and entertainment facility offering large-scale concerts as part of efforts to attract global visitors.

“I hope the Kai Tak Sports Park will create massive benefits for the economy through a synergy effect to promote sports development and boost tourism and the entertainment industry at the same time,” Lee wrote.

A source familiar with the matter said more public transport options would be needed to help crowds leave the area after major events.

“An MTR train can carry more than 1,000 people at a time, but if there are 50,000 people leaving at the same time, more modes of public transport will be needed,” the insider said.

Steve Vickers, CEO of political and corporate risk consultancy Steve Vickers Associates, identified 10 of the most challenging operational hurdles for crowd management at the new sports park.

Among them were the command and control of crowd safety and evacuation procedures, as well as emergency preparedness and testing for scenarios.

He said it would take time for the government to perfect the arrangements.

Contingency planning and anti-terror measures should also be planned in advance, he said.

He noted authorities could use the main stadium as an opportunity to adopt the latest standards for crowd control and related operations.

“As this is a new stadium, it is a good opportunity to update plans to modern standards rather than simply cutting and pasting old situations,” Vickers said.

He added that operational plans should also be updated regularly.

Local stakeholders have been discussing how to bolster the sports industry after the city’s athletes returned from the Paris Olympics with a historic haul of two gold medals, the most won by Hong Kong in a single Games, and two bronze.

The Games remained the talk of the town last week when mainland Chinese Olympians visited the city for three days.

The mainland’s 65-strong delegation included medallists such as diver Quan Hongchan and swimmer Pan Zhanle, who showcased their skills and entertained audiences during various meet-and-greet events with residents.

The team travelled to neighbouring Macau on Saturday evening for another three-day trip, where city leader Ho Iat-seng welcomed them with an evening banquet.

Ho expressed his “warmest congratulations and highest respect” to the athletes, saying they had ignited fresh enthusiasm for the Olympics and pride at the country’s sporting achievement among Macau residents.

The city leader said he hoped to advance Macau’s sports development with the support of talent and technology from mainland authorities.

Macau is among the cities that will host the 15th edition of the National Games of the People’s Republic of China from November 9 to 21 of next year.

Hong Kong will hold eight competitions for the Games, including fencing and golf contests.

Sunday morning also saw Hong Kong Olympians cheered on by more than 1,000 people alongside sports commissioner Sam Wong Tak-sum and Mickey Mouse during a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland on Lantau Island.

The 13 athletes included badminton duo Tse Ying-suet and Jordan Tang Chun-man, swimmer Stephanie Au Hoi-shun, cyclist Ceci Lee Sze-wing and gymnast Stone Shek Wai-hung, who all waved to hundreds of visitors at the park.