Hong Kong Sevens (March 27 - 29, 2009)

The world famous Hong Kong Sevens returns to the city, taking place March 27 - 29. Having sold out in 2 hours, the event (sponsored by Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse) is one of the city's largest tourist attractions, especially if the tourist is a raucous, alcohol chugging, party-loving, rubgy fan. I have yet to attend this event, although my office is very close to the stadium so I recall seeing plenty of fans walking to the stadium Friday afternoon (they dress up in all types of garb - think Halloween on acid) and see them all across the town over the weekend in various states of sobriety and disarray.

Travel Tip: tickets alone are sold out but there are still travel packages available which include tickets that I've heard can be fairly good deals so check them out if you're interested. Otherwise, I've heard scalping is definitely an option, which may cost you approx $500 HKD (about $65 USD) for a day ticket.


The event's history started back in 1975 when it was thought-up over pre-luncheon drinks (the best kind in my opinion). ADC "Tokkie Smith", the Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union was chatting with Ian Gow (tobacco company exec) who suggested sponsoring a Rugby tournament with top teams throughout the world. Less than a year later, the first event was held with teams competing from Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. I'm certainly not an avid Rugby fan, but from what I've read Sevens rugby is a crucial element in developing world-class players, and many of the top rugy players cut their teeth (sometimes literally I imagine) playing in Sevens tournaments.

I definitely would like to attend a game before I leave Hong Kong. From the stories I've heard, it sounds like your average sporting event, but with considerably more alcohol consumption. Check out this clip of what happened at one of the games with with empty beer jugs.

A friend who's been to a few 7's matches explains that the South Stands are, bar none, the messiest in every meaning of the word. For example, the jugs being tossed in the above video: based on the stories he shared, not all of the beer-colored liquid was necessarily beer. Yikes.

And ofcourse, as is common at sporting events around the world, the Sevens also plays host to streakers, like these two (who I believe are now serving 30 years in a maximum security prison for disorderly conduct):

Ofcourse, the other reason the event is such a tourist attraction is the PARTYING. Combine Hong Kong's never-ending party scene with Rugby fanatics/alcoholics, and you can almost hear the cha-chinging of bar cash registers and loud dance music blaring. The craziest place will undoubtedly be Lan Kwai Fong, which is actually Cantonese for "Vegas on Crack".

We partied here last year and to describe it as shoulder to shoulder is no exaggeration.

I know - crazy right? I can't believe that "The Final Count Down" still gets air time either. Stranger than fiction - you can't make this stuff up.