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Hong Kong Sevens a treat for fans but local restaurants hungry for more trade

Oscar Liu
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The 50th Hong Kong Sevens concluded Sunday at Kai Tak Stadium with record crowds, as costume-clad fans packed the stands for the rugby tournament’s high-energy finale. Local restaurants near the venue reported lower profits than 2025, citing increased competition from new eateries that diluted customer traffic during the event. First-time attendees like Singaporean Denise Teo, dressed as a dim sum table, highlighted the event’s cultural appeal, blending rugby with creative fan traditions. British banker Sam Keenes, a recent Hong Kong transplant, attended in a Mario Kart Toad costume, reflecting the event’s reputation for elaborate fan dress. The anniversary edition drew international visitors, boosting tourism but revealing economic challenges for nearby businesses amid a shifting hospitality landscape.
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Hong Kong Sevens a treat for fans but local restaurants hungry for more trade

AdvertisementHong Kong sportsHong KongHong Kong EconomyHong Kong Sevens a treat for fans but local restaurants hungry for more tradeElectric atmosphere on Super Sunday as sea of costume-clad spectators pack Kai Tak Stadium for feast of fun – and some rugby3-MIN READ3-MIN3 ListenOscar LiuPublished: 7:20pm, 19 Apr 2026Updated: 7:25pm, 19 Apr 2026The Hong Kong Sevens reached a high-octane finale on Sunday with costume-clad rugby fans filling the stands at Kai Tak Stadium, but some nearby restaurants said they struggled to match last year’s takings, blaming an influx of new rivals for diluting profits.After two action-packed days, the atmosphere on Super Sunday remained electric as a sea of excited spectators, some clad in creative and flamboyant costumes, filled the South Stand, with some experiencing the event for the first time at its 50th anniversary.Among them was Denise Teo, 29, a content creator from Singapore, who showed up in a well-crafted “dim sum table” outfit inspired by its culinary culture.Denise Teo brings some creativity to the table. Photo: Elson LiShe said she made the table with cardboard and styrofoam, before placing realistic miniature dishes on it to capture the “authentic look” of a local feast.Advertisement“All of these are very iconic dishes and food that we love in Hong Kong,” Teo said, adding the ensemble served as a wearable tribute to the traditional Hong Kong-style restaurants she admired.“It’s very good, very exciting. It’s my first time watching rugby. I’ve never seen it before. It’s been very fun,” said Teo who was spending four days in Hong Kong for the Sevens and sightseeing.Sam Keenes, a 35-year-old banker who moved from the UK to Hong Kong in February, experienced his first Hong Kong Sevens dressed as Toad from the video game Mario Kart.AdvertisementAdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x

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Source: South China Morning Post Business

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