Two of Hong Kong’s most active football supporter groups have accused Kai Tak Sports Park of mismanagement, communication failures and a disregard for local supporter culture during the city’s recent 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying matches.
The groups — hkchisinlo (「波台黐線佬」) and The Power of Hong Kong (「香港力量」) — issued a joint statement saying the operator’s handling of three home fixtures contradicted its public commitment to delivering “world-class sports and entertainment experiences.”
The statement, published on 25 November 2025, can be viewed here: Instagram Statement.
Banners Blocked, Communication Breakdown Alleged
The groups highlighted an incident on 18 November during Hong Kong’s match against Singapore, when metal barriers in front of the North Stand were covered with black cloth, leaving approved supporter flags and banners obscured. They said the hand-painted banners, created over many hours, are a core part of the city’s match-day atmosphere and had not been covered during the previous fixture against India.
Supporters said they had repeatedly asked the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) to pass on requests to relocate or adjust the barriers, but the venue operator “never responded,” resulting in banners being partially blocked throughout the match.
The groups also criticised access arrangements, noting they were allowed to enter the stadium only three hours before gates opened to prepare tifos and drums. By contrast, overseas supporter groups at the July “Hong Kong Football Extravaganza 2025” were allowed to set up a day in advance. They added that they were required to exit the venue after setup and re-enter via normal queues, leaving equipment unattended for more than 30 minutes.
Claims of Harassment by Security Staff
In a separate incident on 14 October during the match against Bangladesh, supporters said security staff attempted to confiscate drums and materials previously approved for use. According to the statement, security did not provide reasons for the confiscation and behaved “rudely and provocatively,” including interrupting drummers mid-match.
The groups said such actions created unnecessary tension in the stands and made supporters feel “as if we were the enemy.” They described the operator as consistently unwilling to communicate or coordinate on match-day logistics.
Accusations of Using Fan Imagery While Restricting Fans
The supporters criticised the stadium operator for frequently using Hong Kong fan atmosphere in promotional materials while imposing restrictions that they described as “unreasonable and baseless.” They said the lack of dialogue and restrictive measures had left many feeling “disrespected and disappointed,” particularly following Hong Kong’s elimination from Asian Cup qualification.
Call for Dialogue With Kai Tak Sports Park
Both groups said they have written to the venue operator requesting formal communication mechanisms to prevent future disputes and ensure Kai Tak Sports Park delivers the “world-class” experience it promotes. They urged the operator to work directly with supporters to strengthen the atmosphere at Hong Kong’s home matches and avoid similar incidents.
