Kai Tak Welcomes 42,000 Fans as HK Football Festival Kicks Off in Style

The 2026 Hong Kong Football Festival opened with great fanfare on August 1, as a crowd of over 42,000 packed the Kai Tak Stadium for a blockbuster competition between Manchester City and FC Internazionale Milano.

The blockbuster competition between Manchester City and FC Internazionale Milano, Photo source: offered by reader of Bastille Post

The match lived up to its billing as a heavyweight encounter. After 90 minutes of intense action, the score remained deadlocked at 1-1, forcing a nerve‑shredding penalty shootout. Despite Manchester City missing their first three spot‑kicks, FC Internazionale Milano held their nerve to win 4‑2 on aggregate and lift the trophy, sparking wild celebrations among their fans.

The blockbuster competition between Manchester City and FC Internazionale Milano, Photo source: offered by reader of Bastille Post

For the fans, the occasion was about more than just the result. A female Manchester City supporter who travelled from Zhuhai expressed her excitement, saying she was thrilled to see her favourite striker, Erling Haaland, and that the atmosphere at the stadium was electric.

The female Manchester City supporter who travelled from Zhuhai, Photo by Bastille Post

Another fan, however, voiced her disappointment that City star Nico O‘Reilly could not be in Hong Kong. “It’s a pity he's not here — he’s my favourite player. I support Manchester City and England because of him,” she said.

Another fan of Manchester City, Photo by Bastille Post

The match marked the first of two spectacular fixtures in the Hong Kong Football Festival. It was Manchester City’s highly anticipated return to the city since 2019, and the club has since cemented its status as a global powerhouse by winning a record four consecutive Premier League titles.

The crowds at the Kai Tak Stadium, Photo by Bastille Post

The second highlight match will see Chelsea FC take on Juventus on August 5 at the same iconic venue, promising another night of high‑octane football for Hong Kong fans.

 

At 4 pm on 30 March, the last day of Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, Cathay's A350 flight flied past Victoria Harbour and Kai Tak at a at an altitude of just 1,100 feet (335 metres). Tens of thousands people have witnessed this sensational fly.

This special journey was in memory of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Kai Tak Airport. Many people inside Kai Tak Sport Stadium did not the plane . But outside the stadium, many people cheered and used their smartphones and cameras to catch this historical moment.

The plane flied above Kai Tak Sport Stadium on 30 March. ( Source: Cathay Pacific )

Cathay's special flight flied over ifc yesterday (30 March). Source: Cathay Pacific

Cathay's special flight. (Source: Cathay Pacific)

The flight was flying above Victoria Harbour. (Source: Cathay Pacific)

Source: Cathay Pacific