「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽 2024」球迷反應熱烈 預計回復疫情前爆滿場面
CATHAY/HSBC HONG KONG SEVENS APPROACHING FIRST SELLOUT SINCE PANDEMIC
[香港，2024年3月1日]:「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽 2024」將於4月最後一次在極具標誌性的香港大球場舉行。2025年，賽事將移師至嶄新的啟德體育園。購票反應熱烈，今屆賽事預計能重回疫情前門票售罄的爆滿場面。
「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽」 的賽期為4月5至7日，門票的銷情十分理想，目前已售出34,000張三天通行入場券，佔賽事座位分配總供應量超過百份之85。
多年來，香港大球場孕育了無數七欖傳奇人物，這項賽事也推動了世界系列賽的發展，也令七人欖球成為奧運會項目。
今年「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽」 即將告別一個標誌性場地，並於明年移師到啟德的另一個地標。因此，4月的香港站比賽將別具意義，成為七人欖球界的終極時刻之一。
今屆賽事重新吸引了海外遊客的興趣，2024年的海外門票銷售量已恢復至總銷售量的百分之42， 比2023年的百分之23及2022年疫情期間的百分之3有所增加。
中國香港欖球總會（欖總）行政總裁麥偉彬（Robbie McRobbie）確認了這一銷售數據，並對門票快將售罄的走勢表示樂觀，他說：「現在距離香港國際七人欖球賽還有一個月的時間，門票只剩餘數千張，我們相信賽事有望回復至疫情前的爆滿狀態，並有信心打造另一個充滿娛樂性的周末去道別大球場。」
麥偉彬續說：「今年能恢復全場滿座，彰顯了香港作為亞洲頂級旅遊和國際盛事之都的地位。過去數十年來，香港國際七人欖球賽一直不遺餘力為穩固香港這一地位作出貢獻。」
除了緊張刺激的比賽外，娛樂活動一向是「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽 」不可或缺的重要一環，2024年也不例外。早前已公佈的音樂演出陣容包括牙買加「雷鬼樂隊」The Wailers 、美國殿堂樂隊Journey 主音Arnel Pineda ，還有前英格蘭國家隊和愛爾蘭雄獅隊球星James Haskell 退役後成為DJ ，他將重返香港大球場與眾同樂；而香港代表有「小巨肺」之稱、曾參加《全美一叮》的譚芷昀（Celine）和新晉女團Lolly Talk。
最新加入「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽」 的有著名系列電影《哈利波特》中飾演雙胞胎的韋斯萊兄弟，現實中他們是一對孖仔占士和奧利華菲比斯（James Phelps & Oliver Phelps），他們應邀來港拍攝精彩片段及幕後花絮，將在這個五光十色的城市內的所見所聞、在大球場上你、我、他的一舉一動攝入鏡內，說不定你會是這對孖仔的拍攝對象！他們二人已率先製作了一些有關香港國際七人欖球賽的片段，並已上載到各自的Instagram 上(@jamesphelps_pictures)及(@oliver_phelps) 。
城中七欖
一如既往，在香港國際七人欖球賽前的傳統七人欖球周，有著林林總總的活動，除了傳統的香港足球會十人欖球賽和九龍欖球節十人欖球賽外，還有超過20場以各種形式進行的交流會，包括早餐會、早午餐會、午餐會、酒會、晚宴，以及由領事館、商會、社團，當然亦有本地欖球會舉辦的峰會。
今年，中國香港欖球總會將與「香港品牌」合作，於4月3日（星期三）舉辦「運動與可持續發展峰會」，欖總亦將於4月3至4日與港怡醫院共同主辦「香港國際體育與急症醫學研討會」。
這將是有史以來最盛大的七欖周，也是慶祝香港國際七人欖球賽在標誌性的香港大球場舉辦30周年的最佳方式。
門票在官方網站有售：www.hksevens.com
三日門票的持票人可觀賞30支世界級勁旅上演共74場精彩的七人欖球賽，期間更可享受兩小時的星級現場音樂表演，以及一連三日無間斷的娛樂活動。欖球界的最大型派對門票只需港幣1,950元。12歲或以下的兒童可購買兒童票，票價為港幣950元。兒童門票先到先得。
資料及相片來源 : Elite Step Asia Limited / Hong Kong China Rugby
[Hong Kong, 1 March 2024]: The Cathay / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024 – the final event to be held at Hong Kong Stadium ahead of the move to the new Kai Tak Stadium in 2025 is on track to become the first sold out tournament since the pandemic.
Ticket sales for the upcoming Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024 (5-7 April 2024) have been impressive, with 34,000 General Admission 3-day passes now sold, accounting for over 85% of total capacity based on the event’s seating configuration.
Over the years, the Hong Kong Stadium has played host to countless rugby legends, with the tournament serving as a catalyst for the development of the World Series and the sport’s inclusion in the Olympic Games.
As the event bids farewell to one iconic venue before a move to another at Kai Tak next year, this year's edition holds additional significance – becoming one of rugby’s ultimate bucket list moments.
The occasion has captured renewed interest amongst international visitors with ticket sales from overseas returning to 42% of totals in 2024, up from just 23% in 2023 and 3% in 2022 during the pandemic.
Robbie McRobbie, CEO of Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR), confirmed the figures while expressing optimism about a return to the traditional sell out status.
“With a month to go and only a few thousand tickets left, we believe that the tournament is on track to return to its pre-pandemic sell out status and are confident to bid the Stadium a good farewell with another weekend of Hong Kong Sevens magic.
“A return to full house also highlights Hong Kong’s return as one of Asia’s top tourism and events destinations, a position that the Sevens has contributed to throughout the decades,” said Mr McRobbie.
Entertainment has always played an integral part of the Hong Kong Sevens experience for fans from around the world. 2024 is no exception. The previously announced lineup already features legendary reggae band The Wailers; Journey lead singer Arnel Pineda; ex-England international and British & Irish Lions star DJ James Haskell, Hong Kong singing sensation Celine Tam and emerging all-female Cantopop group Lolly Talk.
Now, famed film twins James and Oliver Phelps, who played the Weasley Brothers in the Harry Potter film series, are set to grace Hong Kong in April. They will be capturing highlights and behind-the-scenes footage of their trip, so keep an eye out for them as they roam the city and the Hong Kong Stadium – you might just find yourself caught on camera! The duo have already produced some Hong Kong Sevens reels at James Phelps (@jamesphelps_pictures) • Instagram photos and videos and Oliver Phelps (@oliver_phelps) • Instagram photos and videos.
Sevens in the City
There is plenty to enjoy in the traditional Sevens Week of activities leading into the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, with the Tradition HKFC 10s and Kowloon RugbyFest 10s Tournaments alongside more than 20 breakfasts, brunches, lunches, drinks and dinner functions, summits organised by consulates, chambers of commerce, societies and, of course, local rugby clubs.
This year, HKCR is partnering with Brand Hong Kong to organise a Hong Kong Sport & Sustainability Summit on Wednesday 3 April, while HKCR will also host the International Sports and Emergency Medicine Symposium together with Gleneagles Hospital from 3-4 April.
All in all this is shaping up to be the biggest rugby week ever, and a fitting way to celebrate 30 years of the Sevens at the iconic Hong Kong Stadium.
Tickets are available via the official website at www.hksevens.com.
An adult three-day ticket includes 74 matches of scintillating sevens action from 30 world class teams, two hours of world-class live music, and three non-stop days of entertainment at rugby’s biggest party all for just HKD1,950.00. Children’s tickets for fans aged 12 and under are available on a first come, first served basis at HKD950.00.
Information and Photo source : Elite Step Asia Limited / Hong Kong China Rugby
