Featured image credit: Kai Tak Sports Park (pictured in February)
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, ASM Global and Kai Tak Sports Park Limited (KTSPL) — a subsidiary of New World Development – have announced a late winter testing period as the sports and entertainment complex nears its conclusion.
The near decade-long $4bn (£3.21bn/€3.76bn) project saw construction work commence in 2019. ASM Global, as the lead operator, has been on the ground in Hong Kong working for over five years supporting the design, programming, and construction of Kai Tak Sports Park and is now prepping for pre-opening activities in advance of 2025’s formal unveiling.
ASM Global told TheStadiumBusiness.com today (Wednesday) that the winter testing period will see rugby and football matches held in the Main Stadium, with local sports events to take place in the arena. ASM added: “Select high profile events are in the process of being finalised.”
The project will include a 50,000-capacity Main Stadium with the theme ‘Pearl of the Orient’ as its design inspiration, boasting a retractable roof and flexible pitch surface that can host a wide range of events in any weather, including major sports events, concerts and MICE events.
A 10,000-capacity indoor sports arena that meets the standard of major international tournaments will be suitable for the likes of basketball, tennis and gymnastics, as well as family shows and other entertainment events.
A 5,000-spectator, open-to-the-public sports ground has been designed to host school sports days, athletics meets, local football and rugby matches, as well as staging team and athlete training sessions and acting as an outdoor recreation complex.
ASM Global’s president and CEO, Ron Bension, said: “ASM Global develops and builds spectacular venues and extraordinary entertainment districts throughout the world; but nothing compares to the scale, scope and state-of-the art innovation of Kai Tak.”
The expansive development aims to set the benchmark for multi-purpose sports precincts worldwide, integrating the most advanced sports facilities with retail, wellness, and community leisure spaces to create an ‘urban oasis’ for the 7.4 million local community, as well as overseas visitors.
KTSPL, when awarded the contract for the design, build, construction, and operation of Kai Tak Sports Park, subsequently assembled a project team comprising overseas and local experts in design, retail sales and marketing, with construction led by Hip Hing, and ASM engaged for project management, premium sales and programming.
The precinct is designed around the one-of-a-kind Kai Tak Sports Avenue. This indoor and outdoor pedestrian walk starts at Station Square and transports people through the entire site.
The complex will also feature restaurants, retail shops, jogging trails, a health and wellness centre, an international-standard bowling centre with 40 lanes suitable for hosting international tournaments, and a climbing wall on Sports Avenue.
ASM and KTSPL’s state-of-the-art environmentally conscious design decisions include integration of photovoltaic panels on all major facilities, extensive green roofscapes and an expansive network of electric charging stations across the precinct.
Smart city initiatives include an intelligent building and car management system, Wi-Fi hot spots, an indoor positioning system, and mobile applications to facilitate precinct information, booking of facilities and wayfinding.
Kai Tak Sports Park is expected to formally open in early 2025 and is one of the sports venues that will deliver events for the 2025 National Games of China that is being hosted in the Greater Bay Area.
In February, Kai Tak Sports Park marked a major construction milestone with the completion of the Main Stadium exterior building façade panels. In September, TheStadiumBusiness.com caught up with Richard Breslin, a senior principal at Populous, to discuss the project’s design vision.
ASM unites with r.World
In other news, ASM has today also announced a sustainability venture focusing on its home market of North America. The company’s corporate social responsibility platform, ASM Global Acts, has teamed up with reuse platform, r.World, to introduce reusable service ware in venues throughout its North American portfolio.
The venture will begin at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and select hospitality locations at this weekend’s Grand Prix of Long Beach IndyCar event.
The implementation of reusable products is a key part of ASM’s sustainability goals, announced in 2023, which include the elimination of single use plastic in front-of-house. Protecting the environment is one of the three pillars in the ASM Global Acts platform, which also includes investing in people and strengthening communities.
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