Rising on the former Kai Tak Airport site, Hong Kong’s new 50,000-seat stadium combines a retractable roof, shimmering façade and waterfront views to redefine the city’s skyline. If it deserves global acclaim, vote for Kai Tak Stadium in Stadium of the Year 2025.

Kai Tak Stadium – Hong Kong’s new landmark

Kai Tak Stadium is the largest and most modern stadium in Hong Kong, officially opened on March 1, 2025 as the centrepiece of the Kai Tak Sports Park development. The venue was built on the site of the former Kai Tak Airport in Kowloon – one of the most densely populated urban areas in the world. With a capacity of 50,000 spectators, it serves as Hong Kong’s flagship arena and de facto national stadium.

This is a true multi-purpose venue, primarily designed for football and rugby, but also perfectly suited for large-scale concerts and major international cultural events. If you believe it deserves global recognition, cast your vote in the 16th edition of the Stadium of the Year 2025 competition – select five stadiums, assign them star ratings (5–1), and make sure to click vote at the end. Voting closes at midnight on March 9–10.

© Grzegorz Kaliciak

Origins and construction of Kai Tak Stadium

After the closure of Kai Tak Airport in 1998, following the opening of the new airport at Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong authorities faced the challenge of redeveloping a vast and strategically located site. Alongside residential and commercial projects, plans were made to create a state-of-the-art sports complex

The stadium was designed by renowned architectural firm Populous. Construction began in April 2019, with Hip Hing Construction serving as the main contractor. The total cost of the entire complex reached nearly HK$30 billion, making it one of the most expensive sports infrastructure investments in history. Although completion was initially scheduled for 2023, delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the opening to late 2024 and early 2025.

© Grzegorz Kaliciak

Architecture inspired by the “Pearl of the Orient”

Hong Kong is often referred to as the Pearl of the Orient, and the stadium’s architecture reflects this identity. The venue features a distinctive oval form and a striking façade composed of around 27,000 triangular aluminium panels that shimmer in different colours depending on the light.

The southern elevation is fully glazed, creating a vast window overlooking Victoria Harbour. One of the most spectacular engineering features is the retractable roof, which can open or close in approximately 30 minutes, allowing the stadium to operate regardless of weather conditions while also containing noise during concerts.

Inside, the rectangular bowl configuration is ideal for football and rugby. The stadium includes movable seating sections, large video screens and numerous sustainable design solutions.

© Grzegorz Kaliciak

Role and significance of Kai Tak Stadium

Kai Tak Stadium has taken over as Hong Kong’s premier sports venue, replacing the Hong Kong Stadium as the main arena for major events. It hosts prestigious rugby tournaments, including the famous Hong Kong Sevens, as well as international football matches and concerts by global stars. In its first months of operation, the venue recorded outstanding attendance figures, selling over one million tickets.

Thanks to its scale, modernity and prime waterfront setting, the stadium has become a powerful symbol of Hong Kong’s urban transformation and one of the most recognizable sports venues in Asia.