Innovative Performances Highlight Event's Milestone
The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, showcasing Hong Kong as the ‘Events Capital of Asia’. This prestigious event allows the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to highlight the city’s diverse offerings through the promotional platform ‘Hong Kong Mega 8’.
The opening ceremony featured China-made robots, introduced by HKTB. These robots were initially featured on CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala, blending sports with innovative technology and culture. Dr Peter Lam, Chairman of HKTB, emphasised the importance of this milestone, noting the strong backing from China Media Group in organizing the robot performance to demonstrate the advanced capabilities of China’s robotics.
Cultural and Technological Fusion
Tradition met innovation during the opening ceremony. A dragon dance led into a performance by ten robots, coordinating with a cheerleading squad. Lasers then illuminated the stadium, showcasing participating nations and legendary players, celebrating five decades of development.
Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, praised the energy of the performances, encouraging fans to partake in the weekend festivities. She described the robots’ performance as fun and full of energy, adding a unique element to the anniversary celebrations.
To further promote Hong Kong’s appeal, HKTB filmed promotional footage featuring the robots at various landmarks. Influencers, including athletes from Netflix Korea’s ‘Physical: 100’, were invited to explore and promote the event, enhancing its international reach.
A spectacular pyrotechnic display will conclude the event on Sunday, launching from the stadium roof. This dazzling finale wraps up the three-day tournament, solidifying the Hong Kong Sevens as a central attraction for international visitors, merging sports with cultural showcases.
‘Hong Kong Mega 8′, a promotional platform by HKTB, bundles a series of mega events to attract more visitors. These efforts aim to reinforce Hong Kong’s status as a premier event destination in Asia.
Unitree Robotics, a company from the Chinese Mainland, created the robots that performed at the opening ceremony. Their participation highlights the global intersection of sports and cutting-edge technology.
