「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽 2023」需求較2022年更勝一籌
Cathay / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2023 demand tops 2022 weeks ahead of kick-off
[2023 年 3月 23 日，香港]: 香港欖球總會（欖總）證實2023年3月31日至4月2日的「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽」 需求強勁，目前門票銷量和預計入場人數已超越11月賽事的逾27,000張門票。
賽事尚有兩週便開鑼，至今已賣出逾 29,000張門票，銷情較2022年理想。「七欖」的社區關愛項目將於週五晚招待6,000 名觀眾入場，預料開賽日入場人數將逾34,000人，主辦單位希望整個週末的入場數字相若。
欖總行政總裁麥偉彬（Robbie McRobbie）說：「我們很高興『國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽2023』的門票需求保持升勢，而且大部份來自本地市場。2022年本地門票銷量創新高，我們今年的銷情更勝從前。我們也見到海外市場對2023年及2024年賽事的興趣有增無減。」
「我們有信心預計入場人數會超越受防疫措施限制的11月賽事，並且在月尾時突破我們定下逾30,000名觀眾的目標。」
隨著告別口罩和歡顏再現，舉世知名的「七欖」氣氛亦迅速歸位。
香港商界亦簽訂了大量場內的賓客款待服務，以實質行動支持賽事。主層的廂座和廂房層的行政人員廂房需求量高漲，令賽事每年的商界廂座、廂房回租率維持90%以上。
賽事另一喜訊是海外門票需求已逐步回復至疫情前水平 （2000年代早期至2019年間平均每年吸引逾20,000 名海外觀眾）。目前海外門票銷量佔公開發售的20%，說明香港已再現亞洲國際都會的光芒。
香港旅遊發展局總幹事程鼎一表示﹕「我們很榮幸能見證香港國際七人欖球賽全盛回歸。作為亞洲其中一項最受歡迎的體育盛事，活動將一連三天呈現既精彩又具節日氣氛的體驗給所有本地及海外觀眾。為熱烈歡迎全球旅客再臨及配合『你好，香港！』的宣傳活動，我們亦送出限量國際七人欖球賽門票給旅客，務求令他們享受賽事之餘亦能感受香港盛事之都的活力。香港已準備好迎接國際旅客，歡迎旅客盡情探索更多頂級體驗。」
賽事門票先到先得，如欲購票可透過欖總官方售票平台www.tickets.hkrugby.com。
「M」品牌活動致力提升香港為亞洲體育盛事之都的形象，國泰/滙豐香港七人欖球賽」作為獲授「M」品牌的大型體育活動，象徵為本地體壇日曆上一項精彩刺激及具標誌性的盛事，引以為榮。
有關「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽」資訊可瀏覽 hksevens.com。
[23 March 2023, Hong Kong]: The Hong Kong Rugby Union has confirmed strong public demand for attending the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens from 31 March to 2 April 2023. Sales and attendance figures are already topping the 27,000-plus totals registered for last November’s tournament.
To date, over 29,000 tickets have been sold - outpacing figures from 2022. With a further 6,000 spectators set to be hosted on the Friday night as part of the Sevens’ community outreach programmes, attendance is set to top 34,000 on the opening night with the organizer’s hoping for similar figures throughout the weekend.
“We are excited at the increased demand for the 2023 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, especially as it continues to come primarily from within Hong Kong. We sold more tickets locally in 2022 than ever before, and we are on track to top those figures in 2023. We are also seeing a welcome return in international interest for the 2023 and 2024 tournaments,” said Robbie McRobbie, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Rugby Union.
“We can confidently expect attendance to be higher than November’s pandemic limited tournament and remain on track to reach our target of more than 30,000 spectators daily by the end of the month,” added Mr McRobbie.
With masks off and smiles on, the world-famous Sevens atmosphere is also fast returning.
Hong Kong’s corporate community have demonstrated their support en masse with significant take-up of corporate hospitality options inside the stadium. Event patron boxes on the main concourse level and fixed suites on the executive level are in high demand, maintaining the tournament’s year on year take-up of corporate hospitality at over 90%.
Most encouragingly for the tournament, (which consistently drew over 20,000 international spectators from the early 2000s through 2019), international demand is climbing back to pre-pandemic levels as well. To date, over 20% of tickets purchased in the public sale are coming from overseas purchasers, signalling Hong Kong’s return as Asia’s World City is in full swing.
“We are delighted to see the Hong Kong Sevens returning at full scale. As one of Asia’s most popular sporting events, this year’s edition will promise locals and visitors three thrilling days of high-octane match play, a festival-like atmosphere and exciting activities for all ages. As part of our “Hello Hong Kong” campaign to send the biggest welcome to global visitors, we are giving out exclusive Hong Kong Sevens tickets to visitors to come enjoy the game and the vibrant energy of the city. Hong Kong is set to return to its electrifying best and is ready to welcome back international travellers seeking world-class experiences,” says Hong Kong Tourism Board Executive Director Mr Dane Cheng.
Tickets can be purchased via the official Hong Kong Rugby Union ticketing platform: www.tickets.hkrugby.com.
All tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. Prices are frozen at 2019 levels with a three-day event pass at $1,950 for adults and $950 for children 12 and under while supplies last.
The Cathay / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2023 is proud of being an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital. The “M” Mark awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolising an intense, spectacular and signature event in the territory sports calendar.
For more information on the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens please visit: www.hksevens.com.
Information and Photo source : Elite Step Asia Limited / Hong Kong Sevens
