Jockey Club’s Hong Kong Sevens community programmes enable more than 10,000 beneficiaries to enjoy the mega-sports event

The Hong Kong Jockey Club congratulates Hong Kong China Rugby on the success of the 2025 Hong Kong Sevens, which concluded this evening (30 March). Sevens fever has well and truly returned to the city. Club Chairman Michael Lee presented the Women’s Bowl to the National Team, and joined HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee in presenting the Men's Cup to the champion team – Argentina.

HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee (second row, 6th left), Club Chairman Michael Lee (second row, 2nd left), and guests at the awards presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong Sevens.

This is the fourth consecutive occasion that the Club hassupported the Hong Kong Sevens as Official Community Partner. This year, more than 10,000 beneficiaries of differing ages, abilities and backgrounds have been given opportunities to experience a range of sports including rugby through the Jockey Club Sevens Community Programmes. More than 30,000 people have benefited over the years, facilitating citywide engagement in sports events.

Club Chairman Michael Lee (back row, 6th right) presents the Women’s Bowl to the National Team.

The programmes kicked off in early March with the Jockey Club Multi Sport Shared Learning Experience, enabling students to experience the positive energy that sport can bring. In mid-March, the Jockey Club Elite Athletes Sharing Session cum Sport for All Carnival saw nine elite athletes from rugby, horse racing, football, basketball, cricket, gymnastics, obstacle-course-racing and breakdancing share their experiences with a live audience and online. They discussed the meaning and importance of sport’s capacity for inclusivity and for enabling people to pursue their dreams. The carnival featured seven sports-themed booths, giving primary, secondary school students and general public opportunities to enjoy different sports in a relaxed and fun environment.

Club Chairman Michael Lee and the National Team

The three-day Hong Kong Sevens tournament was held for the first time at Kai Tak Sports Park. At the event, Jockey Club Sevens Community Programmes added colour to the excitement of the rugby matches. The programmes included the Jockey Club Mini Rugby Showcase, allowing young local rugby players to showcase their skills in the main stadium and experience involvement in a mega-sports event. In addition, the Jockey Club Sevens School Tour and the Jockey Club Sevens Community Experience enabled students and underprivileged groups including the elderly and people with disabilities to experience a world-class tournament. Members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team also accompanied wheelchair users to the event and onsite and provided facepainting services. The CARE Band comprising of CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members performed at the Fan Village, creating a fun atmosphere. 

Club Chairman Michael Lee (back row, 8th right), Club Steward Andrew Weir (back row, 7th left), Club Steward Philip Lo (back row, 6th left) and wheelchair-bound beneficiaries of the Jockey Club Sevens Community Programmes at the Jockey Club booth.

Club Chairman Michael Lee (right) and beneficiaries of the Jockey Club Sevens Community Programmes visit the Jockey Club booth.

Club Chairman Michael Lee (left) receives thanks from beneficiaries of the Jockey Club Sevens Community Programmes.

Members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team paint a mural for Club Chairman Michael Lee (right).

Members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team accompany wheelchair users at the tournament.

Members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team accompany wheelchair users at the tournament.

Volunteers from JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER lead a Jockey Club Sevens School Tour at Kai Tak Sports Park to raise awareness of the benefits of sports including rugby.

The CARE Band, comprising CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members, perform at the Fan Village.

Club Steward Anita Fung (back row, centre) and Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (left) visit the Jockey Club booth.

The Jockey Club Sevens Community Programmes held the Jockey Club Elite Athletes Sharing Session cum Sport for All Carnival in mid-March, bringing together different sectors of society.

The Jockey Club Sevens Community Programmes held the Jockey Club Elite Athletes Sharing Session cum Sport for All Carnival in mid-March, bringing together different sectors of society.

Participants of the JC Junior Sports Reporters Programme conduct an on-site interview with Club Jockey Karis Teetan (2nd left) at the Hong Kong Sevens.

Today (12 May), The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) announced the launch of a major initiative to transform itself into a global sports entertainment brand with the ultimate aim of creating even more value for the community. In support, the Club has entered into a strategic partnership with XIX Entertainment (XIX), one of the world’s top entertainment brands.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (left) and Simon Fuller, Founder of XIX Entertainment (right) officiate at the launch ceremony.

Over the past 20 years, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become a world-class racing brand. Its Group 1 races and superstar horses feature strongly in the world rankings, with two of the world’s best horses currently based in Hong Kong. Some of the world’s best jockeys and trainers are in Hong Kong. The Club’s racing is broadcast to millions of fans across five continents, with 25% of its income now derived from overseas. The Club’s racecourse facilities are second to none. And through its Happy Wednesday brand, which showcases sports with entertainment, and major raceday events featuring international and Hong Kong stars, combining lifestyle and entertainment, the Club has developed a highly attractive racecourse entertainment experience.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (left) and Simon Fuller, Founder of XIX Entertainment (right) officiate at the launch ceremony.

All of this has enabled the Club to significantly increase its support for the community. In 2023/24 alone, the Club contributed a record HK$40.1 billion in tax and approved charity donations. It has also made racing a highly attractive visitor experience, with over 143,000 tourists visiting the racecourses so far this season. This encouraging tourist attendance owes a great deal to the support for racing tourism in the recent Hong Kong CE Policy Address, and to the efforts of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Tourism Board in promoting Hong Kong horse racing globally.  The Club is also grateful for the new strategic collaboration with the China Tourism Group in promoting the Club’s world-class racing sport in the Mainland.

During a dialogue session, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (right) and Simon Fuller, Founder of XIX Entertainment (centre), exchange views on how their partnership can showcase Hong Kong as a centre for global exchange, connectivity and tourism.

Now the Club’s vision is to go one step further - to become a global sports entertainment brand. In other words to create a holistically integrated racing, equestrian sports and entertainment experience, which will enable the Club to expand its fan base, especially to the younger generation, and to reach out to a global and Mainland audience. Ultimately the aim is to become the premier destination for global horse racing and equestrian sports.

This, the Club believes, perfectly matches Hong Kong’s aspiration to become a hub for international exchanges and cooperation, as well as a centre for international cultural exchange as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan. It will also enable the Club to contribute even more to the betterment of society.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (7th left); Simon Fuller, Founder of XIX Entertainment (6th right); Club management and other guests pose for a group photo at the ceremony.

As a first step, the Club is delighted to partner with XIX under the leadership of its visionary founder, Simon Fuller. The first collaboration will bring XIX’s global pop group, Now United, to Hong Kong. The first initiative, Now United, will give Hong Kong’s talent a chance to shine on the world stage, while through social media and racecourse performances the group will share positive stories about Hong Kong and Hong Kong racing with their millions of fans around the world.

Now United is the world’s first global pop group. With 19 performers from around the globe, they have a mission to bring music and dance to the world.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club said he was excited to announce the Club’s plans to become a globally recognised sports entertainment brand, which will enable the Club to contribute even more to Hong Kong. Holistically integrating entertainment, racing and equestrian sport, at its heart will be a celebration of the strong bonding between horses and humans. This, he said, perfectly matches Hong Kong's aspiration to expand its global connectivity. Finally, looking ahead to the Year of the Horse in 2026, it is the perfect moment to use entertainment, lifestyle and social content to foster new connections and promote passion around the horse - heritage, power, elegance and emotion brought to life.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club announces the strategic partnership between the Club and XIX Entertainment.

Simon Fuller, the British-born Founder of XIX, said “I am excited to be collaborating with Hong Kong and the Jockey Club to create something aspirational and positive. I believe there is an important opportunity to bring inspiring and joyful entertainment to Hong Kong and Horse Racing. This is an incredible city full of potential with so many stunning iconic locations to share with the world.” He added, “my global pop group Now United being here in Hong Kong is the beginning of many more exciting announcements in the coming months, leading to celebrating the year of the horse.”

Now United is the world’s first global pop group. With 19 performers from around the globe, they have a mission to bring music and dance to the world.

Now United is XIX’s multi-cultural global pop group, featuring young musical and dance talent from across the world. The collaboration with the Club will see a talent search in Hong Kong for the next member of the group. The finalist will receive masterclass training from top-class professionals at XIX Entertainment’s Academy of Pop. There will also be a reality series and music videos filmed with Now United during their stay in Hong Kong, to be shared with their 40 million social media followers across multiple platforms around the world.  Hong Kong audiences will also have the opportunity to enjoy Now United’s live performances at the Club’s racecourses and at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races in December 2025.

The search for the next member of Now Unitedin Hong Kong will begin with auditions for people aged 18 or above starting from today (12 May). For application details, please visit https://nowunited.com/newmember/index_en.php.