'Hong Kong Stadium could be used to host tennis tours'

The Hong Kong Tennis Association has indicated that future editions of the Hong Kong Tennis Open might be played at Hong Kong Stadium if the existing centre court at Victoria Park goes through redevelopment. Chief Executive John Lee announced this during his Policy Address, stating that the government plans to redevelop the court into an all-weather, multi-purpose venue suitable for large-scale sporting events and performances.

Currently, the venue can accommodate approximately 3,600 spectators and hosts ATP 250 and WTA 250 tournaments annually, which are part of the professional tennis tours' entry level. Michael Cheng, the president of the Hong Kong Tennis Association, emphasized the necessity of upgrading infrastructure to attract more prestigious ATP or WTA 500-level events, noting that the centre court should have at least 7,500 seats.

He highlighted that while the city must strike a balance for what makes sense for Hong Kong, the redevelopment should not halt the hosting of tour events. Cheng suggested that Hong Kong Stadium could be one of the options during the transition period. The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) also supported the proposal, expressing hope for a smooth transition that would allow the city to continue hosting top-tier tennis events and related sports activities while the redevelopment work is being carried out.