by Xinhua writer Yu Lizhen
HONG KONG, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Lights blazed over the main stadium of Kai Tak Sports Park on the banks of Kowloon Bay, where specialized air-cushion transfer machinery and lifting equipment worked with precision. A hybrid turf -- 95 percent natural grass blended with 5 percent synthetic fibers -- was hoisted and transported to a dedicated nursery via advanced modular lawn technology.
"When the 15th National Games ended, we removed the turf, transforming the stadium into a cultural venue for high-caliber events with tailor-made facilities," noted Tang King-shing, director of strategic planning at Kai Tak Sports Park. Since its inauguration on March 1, 2025, the stadium has undergone over 10 sophisticated "turf swaps" to host sports competitions, concerts, and cultural celebrations.
In 2025, Hong Kong delivered a standout year with a packed calendar of mega events: the Asian Financial Forum kicked off the year, the National Games ignited public passion, and international cultural galas wrapped up the year. The global metropolis has showcased its robust hosting capacity and innovative vitality through these high-profile gatherings.
FORGING NEW IDENTITY
"For me, this place is a magnificent transformation," recalled Tang. Years ago, he was stationed here as a police district commander of the defunct Kai Tak Airport; today, he has witnessed the former airport site evolve into a key engine powering Hong Kong's rise as a "City of Mega Events."
Throughout 2025, Kai Tak Sports Park served as an ever-active stage: the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament in early days, top-tier football clashes mid-year, the National Games in autumn, and a warm finale with the New Year's Eve concert by Zhou Shen, a renowned Chinese singer. In less than a year, the venue hosted over 90 international and local events, drawing over 7 million patrons and emerging as a global leader in ticket sales.
Zhou's concert tickets sold out in three minutes. "Kai Tak's scale, amenities, and urban iconicity allow visitors from abroad to connect with Hong Kong beyond the event itself," noted a representative of the concert's organizing team.
With bookings extending to 2027, the venue serves as a catalyst for social cohesion and national identity, noted Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, secretary for culture, sports and tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government. "It drives cultural integration across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," she added.
A BOOST TO ECONOMY
The mega-event spillover effects have rippled far beyond Kai Tak. Cheung Hong Yuen, a beloved Hong Kong tea restaurant nearby, saw tourist numbers surge -- with large-scale events driving over 20 percent of its revenue. "Visitors order social media-recommended dishes and ask about local specialties," said manager Mr. Leung.
To cater to visitors, hotels rolled out event-themed packages, while eateries crafted celebrity-inspired drinks, integrating local cuisine with the mega event. The HKSAR government has also introduced a series of measures through policy incentives, resource integration, and cross-sector collaboration to turn "tourism everywhere" into reality.
"I've watched football at Kai Tak three times, and afterward, I ate late-night snacks at small Kowloon City eateries -- they were packed, and shop owners hope for more mega events since people spend here before and after games," Law noted with delight. Successive gatherings amplified Hong Kong's 24-hour city vibe. "Central and Tsim Sha Tsui remain bustling late into the night, and we're determined to sustain this momentum," Law said.
Mega events are powerful visitor magnets: during the National Games, Hong Kong welcomed 1.7 million tourists -- a 19 percent year-on-year increase. By November 2025, total arrivals hit 45 million, outpacing 2024's full-year tally, with significant growth in long-haul travelers from Britain, Australia, and Russia.
"Visa-free policies introduced by the central government, paired with high-speed rail and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, have greatly boosted the 'one trip, multiple destinations' tourism model," said Fanny Yeung Shuk-fun, executive director of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong.
TECH-EMPOWERED TOURISM EXPERIENCE
In Kowloon City, tourists explored Kai Tak Sports Park using "CITY IN TIME," a smart tourism app that unearths Kai Tak's collective memories via AR. Pointing phones at the stadium, users were met with a striking contrast: 1927 tidal flats alongside the bay's modern landmark. Near the retail pavilion, vestiges of the old Kai Tak Airport -- vintage signage, classic airliners, and check-in queues -- sprang to life.
This aligns with the "Development Blueprint for Hong Kong's Tourism Industry 2.0," released in late 2024, which prioritizes smart tourism. "The future lies in tech-powered 'events + tourism' integration -- turning 'visiting for an event' into 'staying for a city,'" Yeung said.
As Victoria Harbour's lights ushered in the new year, 2026's mega-event calendar is already unfolding: cultural carnivals, business exchanges, and international competitions are expected to illuminate the city year-round.
Hong Kong's defining strength -- its infusion of Chinese and Western cultures, paired with its ability to accommodate diverse needs -- makes it a pivotal window linking the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to the world, Law highlighted. ■
