Hong Kong hoping to begin Victoria Park Tennis Centre redevelopment by 2030

Hong Kong plans to commence redevelopment of the Victoria Park Tennis Centre within its five-year strategy, though the exact timeline remains undetermined. The aim is to transform the venue into a high-tier tournament hub and multipurpose facility, according to Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rossana Law Shuk-pui. The feasibility studies for the project in Causeway Bay are underway, with the final design and scale influencing its completion within the current or subsequent plan.

A concrete plan must first be finalized, followed by a review by the Legislative Council and funding approval.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has expressed the government's intention to explore the redevelopment of Victoria Park Centre Court and ancillary facilities into an all-weather, multipurpose venue. This venue would be capable of hosting significant sporting events, such as ATP 500 tournaments requiring 7,000 seats and ATP Masters 1000 events needing 10,000 seats.

Hong Kong currently holds the rights to host WTA and ATP 250 tournaments, including the Prudential Hong Kong Open in November and the men’s tournament at the beginning of the year.

The proposed redevelopment includes a center court for finals and matches involving top-ranked players, side courts for hundreds of spectators, warm-up courts, gyms, and relaxation facilities. The venue will be versatile, accommodating other ball sports, performances, and concerts, addressing the demand for diverse event spaces. Law highlighted the accessibility and mature urban setting of Victoria Park, citing its popularity among tourists and the positive economic impact of major sporting events.

Despite subdued tourist spending, major shopping streets have seen increased foot traffic, though average spending per visit has not matched. Law emphasized the importance of hosting unique events in Hong Kong to attract visitors, who would subsequently generate revenue. The city is also focusing on economic impact when evaluating the success of sporting events at Kai Tak Sports Park, noting their role in creating jobs and boosting retail, dining, hotel, and transport sectors.

To sustain visitor spending, improving overall experience through enhanced service quality, guide standards, and incentives like ticket-sub offers is crucial.