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Hong Kong Tipped as Potential Host for Nations Championship Finals and British & Irish Lions Stopover
Hong Kong has emerged as a strong candidate to host future Nations Championship finals at the newly constructed Kai Tak Sports Park. A senior executive at World Rugby has also suggested that the city would make an ideal stopover location for the British & Irish Lions.
Kai Tak Sports Park in Contention for Future Nations Championship Finals
The inaugural Nations Championship finals, a biennial playoff featuring the world’s leading international rugby teams, are scheduled to take place in London in 2026, with Qatar slated to host the 2028 edition. However, the state-of-the-art stadium in Hong Kong is increasingly being considered as a prime venue for subsequent championships.
Hong Kong’s New Stadium Debuts with Sevens Tournament
The Kai Tak Sports Park recently marked its debut as an international sporting venue by successfully hosting the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens tournament. This marked the relocation of the renowned rugby event to the site of the former Kai Tak Airport in Kowloon, now home to the Cathay Pacific-sponsored sports park. The extensive redevelopment of the area, which includes the 50,000-seat stadium, a 10,000-capacity indoor arena, and a track and field facility, represents a £3 billion investment.
Kai Tak Stadium to Host North London Derby and Liverpool Match
Adding to its growing sporting credentials, it was recently confirmed that Kai Tak Stadium will stage a historic football match in July. Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal will face each other in what will be the first North London derby ever held outside of the United Kingdom. Furthermore, Liverpool Football Club is also scheduled to play against AC Milan at the same venue.
Architect Praises “Perfect Venue” for Major Rugby Events
Al Baxter, a former Australian international rugby player and now an architect instrumental in the design of the Hong Kong stadium, has lauded it as the “perfect venue”. Baxter believes Hong Kong is “really keen” to welcome major international events such as the Nations Championship finals.
British & Irish Lions Tour Stopover a Possibility
Meanwhile, the British & Irish Lions are exploring options for a warm-up fixture en route to their tour of New Zealand in 2029. Hong Kong previously hosted the Lions in 2013 when they played against the Barbarians. Australia and New Zealand have also contested Bledisloe Cup matches in Hong Kong in past years. While heat was a significant issue during the 2013 Lions match due to Hong Kong’s June climate, Kai Tak Stadium’s retractable roof offers a solution to mitigate such conditions.
Retractable Roof Solves Heat Concerns for Future Events
Alan Gilpin, Chief Executive of World Rugby, confirmed Hong Kong as a viable option for future Lions fixtures, stating, “Definitely. The advantage now is that when the Lions last came through here in 2013 en route to Australia, the heat was so extreme it impacted playability. Now with the option to close the roof, it would be a brilliant spectacle.”
Kai Tak Stadium: A Blueprint for Twickenham Refurbishment?
The innovative design of Kai Tak Stadium could provide insights into the planned £663 million refurbishment of Twickenham Stadium in London. Populous, the architectural firm behind Kai Tak, has been contracted by the Rugby Football Union to create the masterplan for Twickenham’s redevelopment, with work anticipated to commence in 2027.
Populous Emphasizes Unique Stadium Design Approach
“We’ve designed hundreds of these sorts of buildings,” said Richard Breslin, a director at Populous alongside Baxter. “Each venue is uniquely tailored to its specific context. Even in major cities like Hong Kong or London, you’re engaging with distinct local communities, and our design philosophy aims to understand and reflect these unique characteristics.”