Four of Europe’s most storied football clubs — Liverpool, AC Milan, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur — will face off in two preseason friendlies at the Kai Tak Sports Park in July, organizers said on Monday.
The matches, announced Monday by organizer TEG Sport, will headline the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025, offering fans a rare chance to witness elite football rivalries on Asian soil, with ticket prices ranging from HK$399 ($51.29) to HK$2,499.
The action begins on July 26 with a Standard Chartered Trophy showdown between English Premier League giant Liverpool and Italy’s strong AC Milan from the Serie A league, reigniting one of European football’s most historic rivalries.
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Five days later, on July 31, the fierce North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur — two Premier League clubs located in northern London — will take center stage, marking the debut of this heated clash outside the United Kingdom.
“These are four of the world’s most iconic clubs, playing in two of football’s greatest rivalries—right here in Hong Kong,” said Rachael Carroll, managing director of TEG Sport, at a news conference on Monday afternoon.
The exhibition matches will be the first international football rivalries held at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium, the crown jewel of the newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park.
Carroll said that hosting such elite teams will cement the venue’s status as a premier destination for sports competitions in Asia — if not globally — following the success of last weekend’s Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament.
“The eyes of the football world will be on Hong Kong,” she said, promising affordable ticket options and open training sessions to give fans unparalleled access to the stars.
Organizers anticipate over 100,000 spectators across both matches, with more than half traveling from overseas — delivering a major boost to local tourism.
Pui Kwan-kay, president of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China, hailed the event as a milestone for the city’s sporting ambitions.
“This is not just about football — it’s about showcasing Kai Tak Sports Park as a world-class venue and a bridgehead for tapping into the Chinese market, a region with immense economic potential for the sport,” he said.
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Kai Tak Sports Park CEO John Sharkey highlighted the stadium’s retractable roof and climate-controlled environment — complete with air-conditioned seating — as a game changer for fans braving Hong Kong’s summer heat.
Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, the city’s secretary for culture, sports, and tourism, called the announcement a fitting finale to the city’s “Super March” of events following the sports park’s grand opening on March 1.
“Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 represents so much more than two football matches. It is a celebration of Hong Kong and Asia’s longstanding passion for football, one of the most powerful sports in captivating audiences from around the world,” she said.
Contact the writer at lilei@chinadailyhk.com
