The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2026 officially kicked off on April 17 at Kai Tak Stadium, marking the 50th anniversary of the globally renowned tournament. To celebrate the milestone, organizers staged an opening ceremony that seamlessly blended technological innovation with traditional culture, showcasing HK's unique appeal as the "Events Capital of Asia."
Despite persistent afternoon downpours, tens of thousands of enthusiastic fans packed the venue, creating an electric atmosphere.
The ceremony began promptly at 6:42 p.m. Curated by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the celebration unfolded through three interconnected highlights, setting a new benchmark for the historic tournament.
The show opened with a powerful dragon dance performance. Accompanied by the rhythmic beat of gongs and drums, a golden dragon leapt and swirled across the stage, infusing the ceremony with festive energy and cultural richness, symbolizing the continuity and renewal of traditional craftsmanship in the modern era.
This was followed by a high-tech robot performance. Domestically developed robots—previously featured on China Central Television's Spring Festival Gala—took the stage alongside human cheerleaders, delivering a cross-disciplinary performance that drew loud cheers from the crowd. Their appearance underscored HK's commitment to embracing innovation.
The finale featured a spectacular large-scale laser projection show. The stadium's vast pitch transformed into a dynamic canvas of light, with lasers projecting the names of participating nations and regions over the years, legendary Sevens players, and animated twin-dragon motifs, symbolizing five decades of golden development.
Adding to the excitement, South Korean girl group Primrose delivered a lively on-field performance, energizing the crowd and providing world-class entertainment between matches.
The organizer, the Hong Kong China Rugby, had earlier announced that all three-day tickets for the tournament were sold out, with only a limited number of single-day tickets available through local ticketing partner KLOOK, highlighting the strong appeal of the 50th anniversary edition.
Related News:
Hong Kong Sevens to kick off Friday, 130,000 tickets already sold
(Photos) Hong Kong Sevens kicks off at Kai Tak: Fans dress up in wacky costumes to cheer on team
Comment