The launch of the new Live (KTSP) on March 1, 2025 will signal a pivotal moment for Hong Kong’s live event economy, as the destination will now boast a powerful venue for large-scale live events and entertainment.
The 50,000-seat state-of-the-art venue boasts a retractable roof and a dedicated stage pocket, making it ideal for hosting a wide range of world-class events, from sporting spectacles to spectacular performances. The South Deck Terrace offers an event platform that immerses spectators in the action.
Vigorous testing phases for the venue had started last October, ranging from 1,800-pax football games to a final stress test for 65,000-pax fun day on February 16.
KTSP executive director Darren Burden explained that the test events allowed the government to perfect the flow of people coming in and out of the venue.
KTSP already boast a vibrant calendar of events, starting with the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 from March 28 to 30.
Pop concerts let by international and regional celebrities will follow: Coldplay from April 8 to 12, Nicholas Tse from April 24 to 26, and Jay Chou from June 27 to 29.
“Different sports events are lined up for later this year, such as the 15th National Games/The National Games for Person with Disabilities,” Burden added.
According to Invest Hong Kong’s associate director-general of investment promotion, Arnold Lau, Hong Kong’s live music industry is growing. The destination hosted approximately 350 major pop concerts in 2023/2024, attracting 4.2 million attendees including 1.5 million from overseas.
“Apart from economic benefits, the live concert economy fuels growth across industries, creates new travel experiences, and energises city’s life. The sports industry continues to have profound impact on our city. In 2022, contribution of sports activities accounted for 2.2 per cent of GDP,” Lau detailed.
He noted that the Hong Kong government has been promoting and supporting the hosting of major events in the destination, and that the KTSP will spur the landing of live events in the city.
Hong Kong big push for live events has resulted in what Hong Kong Tourism Board terms “Hong Kong Super March” – a full month packed with high profile events across cultural, art and sports themes. These events include the World Grand Prix (March 4 to 9), which heads to Hong Kong for the first time; LIV Golf Hongkong Station (March 7 to 9); Picasso for Asia: A Conversation at M+ (March 15 to July 13); ComplexCon (March 21 to 23), Art Central (March 26 to 30); and 2025 Art Basel (March 28 to 30).
Content is the king when it comes to live events, say event organisers and owners.
Great Entertainment Group (GEG), which celebrates the 10th anniversary of the hugely popular AIA Carnival last year (it ran from December 20, 2024 to February 16, 2025) and also manages the Hong Kong Observation Wheel nearby, recognises the importance of rolling out fresh content every year to attract new and repeat visitors.
The latest edition of the AIA Carnival debuted the Blue Girl Dai Pai Dong experience, which “denoted old Hong Kong”, said CEO Randy Bloom.
“It was a place for young people to gather and have a beer. It was very different from anything we had created before – and very popular,” Bloom reflected.
“We have also worked with partners like Trip.com Group to boost traffic from the Greater Bay Area, and for the first time partnered with Chimelong Resort this year (to bring our shared audience in),” he said.
Bloom noted that January 2025 was a “rocket month” for the Hong Kong Observation Wheel, as it welcomed a “surge of Greater Bay Area audience compared to previous years”. The attraction had 220,000 visitors that month – or an average of 8,000 visitors per day.
“Over 80 per cent were international visitors, and mostly came from across the borders,” he said.
Hong Kong China Rugby’s CEO, James Farndon, is excited about hosting the biggest edition of the Hong Kong Sevens next month, and is certain that the entertainment value of the sports event makes it a success.
“There are lots at the new venue (KTSP) to make it the best event – the whole fan experience with visuals, big screens, and incredible entertainment. Hong Kong Sevens is not just rugby but about entertainment. We work closely with sponsors Cathay Pacific and HSBC to ensure the fan experience is completely optimised,” Farndon said.
At press time, tickets for the South Stand have been sold out.
With boom time on the horizon for Hong Kong’s live event economy, Toorly, a fan-driven global touring platform is enticed and has established Hong Kong as the base for its Asian expansion. Toorly specialises in data analytics that help artists and their teams identify places with fan demand and better plan their global tours.
