In an exciting development for rugby fans, Hong Kong is being touted as a strong candidate to host upcoming Nations Championship finals after the inaugural event takes place in London next year. The biennial playoffs, which feature the top international rugby union teams, will also see Qatar lined up for the 2028 finals.

Last weekend, the newly opened Kai Tak Stadium made headlines by hosting its first international sporting event, the renowned Hong Kong Sevens. This impressive venue, once the site of Kowloon’s former airport, is part of the newly developed Cathay Pacific-sponsored sports park that includes a 50,000-seat stadium, a 10,000-capacity indoor arena, and a state-of-the-art track-and-field facility. Transforming this area into a multi-sport hub came at a staggering cost of approximately $3.8 billion.

In exciting further announcements, it was revealed that the iconic north London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal will be played at Kai Tak Stadium in July, marking the first such match outside the UK. Additionally, football fans can look forward to a clash between Liverpool and AC Milan in the same venue.

Al Baxter, a former Australian prop and now an architect, expressed confidence that the Kai Tak Stadium would serve as the "perfect venue" for the Nations Championship finals. He stressed that Hong Kong is "really keen" to host these prestigious matches.

Moreover, the British and Irish Lions are eyeing a warm-up match in Hong Kong as they prepare for their tour of New Zealand in 2029. Notably, the Lions last played in Hong Kong in 2013 against the Barbarians, a match that faced challenges due to the extreme heat. However, the stadium’s innovative retractable roof will significantly enhance the playing conditions.

World Rugby's chief executive, Alan Gilpin, confirmed that Hong Kong is a viable option for the Lions, stating, “Definitely. The climate issues faced in 2013 are no longer a concern with the roof closed, transforming it into a brilliant spectacle.”

Looking to the future, the developments at Kai Tak Stadium may serve as inspiration for the planned £663 million (approximately $873 million) refurbishment of Twickenham Stadium, with Populous already on board for the redesign. Work on this project is set to commence in 2027.

The architects behind iconic venues, such as Wembley Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Populous emphasized the importance of tailoring each stadium to its unique socio-cultural environment. As Richard Breslin of Populous succinctly put it, “There’s not one single venue which is the same. They all have to be totally different,” highlighting the individuality of urban landscapes.

With Hong Kong on its way to solidifying its position in the global rugby arena, the excitement surrounding the Nations Championship finals could pave the way for more thrilling rugby events in this vibrant city. Keep your eyes peeled as this rugby story unfolds—Hong Kong may soon find itself at the center of the rugby universe!