Hong Kong's football scene is set for a spectacular summer with back-to-back major events! The local Hong Kong Premier League will conclude with its final matchday, followed by the Hong Kong FA Cup final. In June, the Hong Kong team and U20 squad will compete separately in the Asian Cup qualifiers and the International Youth Invitational Football Charity Cup. Adding to the excitement, global football giants Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and AC Milan will all visit Hong Kong to showcase their skills.
The action will unfold across Hong Kong's three iconic football venues—Hong Kong Stadium, Mong Kok Stadium, and Kai Tak Sports Park—offering both local football diehards and European football fans an unforgettable summer football feast.
Kicking off the summer football extravaganza is this Sunday's (May 25) Hong Kong Premier League finale. This season's title race has been fiercely contested, with the championship hanging in the balance until the final day. All four matches will be played simultaneously. Defending champions Lee Man hold a slim one-point lead at the top and will face off against Resources Capital FC at Tsing Yi Sports Ground, while second-placed Tai Po host North District at Tai Po Sports Ground, aiming to clinch their first league title in six years.
At the end of May, Manchester United will return to Hong Kong after a 12-year absence. The Premier League giants will arrive on May 29 for a three-day, two-night visit, squaring off against the Hong Kong team in a friendly at Hong Kong Stadium on May 30. Despite a mediocre Premier League season, United's run to the Europa League final and the presence of legends like Raphaël Varane and Dwight Yorke, who have visited Hong Kong recently to promote the match, are expected to draw massive crowds. With five of the eight ticket categories already sold out, the stadium is likely to be packed to capacity.
The football fever continues the day after the Manchester United friendly with the Hong Kong FA Cup final between Eastern and Resources Capital FC at Mong Kok Stadium.
June will see the Hong Kong team take center stage. On June 5, they will face Nepal in a friendly at Hong Kong Stadium, followed by the InternationalInternational Youth Invitational Football Charity Cup from June 6 to 8 at Kai Tak Sports Park. The Hong Kong U20 team will compete against a J.League U20 selection, Málaga U20, and a Hubei U20 selection. The Hong Kong squad features several overseas-based youngsters, while the Japanese team is coached by legendary defender Masami Ihara.
On June 10, the Hong Kong team will make their debut at the new Kai Tak Sports Park main stadium in a crucial Asian Cup qualifier against India. After a disappointing draw away to Singapore in their last match, the team will be determined to secure a victory on home turf and keep their hopes alive of qualifying for back-to-back Asian Cup finals.
The climax of Hong Kong's summer football spectacle will be the "Hong Kong Football Festival 2025" at Kai Tak in late July. The two marquee matches—Liverpool vs. AC Milan and Arsenal vs. Tottenham—have already sold out, set to become the most-watched football events in Hong Kong's history and a fitting finale to the summer's football feast.
Former Hong Kong stars hope events will boost local football
Former Hong Kong internationals Lam Ka-wai and Lo Kwan-yee, who have participated in multiple exhibition matches against visiting teams, believe high-profile matches can revitalize local football.
"Local football attendances haven't been great lately, so having world-renowned teams visit can energize the scene and reignite fans' passion for the game... If even a fraction of these fans develop an interest in local football, it would be a huge boost."
Lam, who famously scored a stunning goal against Manchester United while playing for Kitchee 12 years ago, added, "These matches are also a golden opportunity for local players to showcase themselves in front of tens of thousands. Scoring a goal in such a game can leave a lasting legacy."
Stefan Figueiredo Pereira, named in Hong Kong's preliminary squad, is eagerly anticipating facing Manchester United's stars at a packed Hong Kong Stadium. "I admire Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes the most. It's an incredible honor to play against some of the world's best," he said. "This match will also serve as great preparation for our two crucial games in June. I hope to experience the electric atmosphere of a full stadium."
Football Calendar
25/5 | Hong Kong Premier League Finale
30/5 | Hong Kong vs. Manchester United
31/5 | Hong Kong FA Cup Final: Resources Capital FC vs. Eastern
5/6 | International Friendly: Hong Kong vs. Nepal
6/6-8/6 | International Youth Invitational Football Charity Cup
10/6 | Asian Cup Qualifier: Hong Kong vs. India
26/7 | Liverpool vs. AC Milan
31/7 | Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur
(Source: Wen Wei Po; Journalist: Kwok Ching-him; English Editor: Darius)
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Kai Tak Stadium to host football spectacle: Tickets go on sale May 12
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