23rd March 2023 – (Hong Kong) The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2023, scheduled for 31st March to 2nd April, is already generating significant interest from the public, according to the Hong Kong Rugby Union. Ticket sales and attendance figures for the upcoming tournament are already surpassing the 27,000-plus totals registered for last November’s event.
In addition, over 20% of tickets purchased during the public sale are from international buyers, signalling a return to pre-pandemic levels of interest in the event. The Union is optimistic that attendance will remain strong throughout the weekend.
Robbie McRobbie, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Rugby Union, expressed his excitement about the increased demand for the event, stating that they sold more tickets locally in 2022 than ever before, and they are on track to exceed those numbers in 2023.
The Sevens’ community outreach programs will host 6,000 spectators on Friday night, providing an opportunity for rugby enthusiasts to support the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens Team. The organizers are hoping for an attendance of over 34,000 on the opening night.
Corporate hospitality boxes and suites are in high demand, with over 90% take-up, proving the tournament’s reliance on corporate support for success.
Carlsberg, the official beer of Rugby Sevens, has partnered with Liverpool Football Club for the event. Two former players, Dirk Kuyt and Vladimír Šmicer, have been invited to watch the competition together, and lucky attendees will have a chance to win a talk with them, as well as members of the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens Team, including Sebatien Brien and Rusell Webb.
As one of the biggest events on the rugby calendar, the Hong Kong Sevens attracts fans from around the globe. With strong public demand and increasing international interest, the 2023 tournament is poised to be one of the most thrilling yet. The Hong Kong Rugby Union is eagerly anticipating the event and hopes that attendance figures will continue to rise in the years to come.