Seizing Sports Infrastructure Upgrade to Strengthen Hong Kong’s International Tennis Event Capacity Advancing the Elite, Community and Industry Development of Tennis and Emerging Racquet Sports
The Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (HKCTA) welcomes and supports the HKSAR Government’s initiative to upgrade the Victoria Park Tennis Courts, as outlined in the “First Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong” and the recent Policy Address. The Association considers the initiative a forward-looking decision that reflects the Government’s commitment to enhancing sports infrastructure, promoting sports and the mega-event economy, and supporting the long-term development of the local sports industry. It also responds strategically to the sporting sector’s long-standing expectations for improved venues and event facilities.
Michael Cheng, President of the HKCTA, stated, “Victoria Park Tennis Courts extend beyond the function of a standard competition facility. They represent an essential venue where Hong Kong’s tennis tradition, spectator culture, urban dynamism, and major event economy converge. Modernising these facilities—specifically by elevating the spectator experience, enhancing operational support for athletes and events, upgrading media and broadcasting infrastructure, and incorporating all-weather play capabilities—will position Hong Kong to attract higher-tier international tournaments, more elite global players, and international sports enthusiasts.”
Robust and modern infrastructure serves as the foundation for hosting elite international competitions, cultivating local athletic talent, and encouraging widespread public participation. The establishment of the Kai Tak Sports Park highlights the pivotal role that high-quality venues play in strengthening the city’s competitive advantage, driving the event-based economy, and advancing the integration of sports and tourism. Establishing Hong Kong as an industry-oriented hub for major sporting events necessitates venues and facilities built to international standards with significant scale.
As a global financial and cultural centre, Hong Kong possesses the essential conditions to host premier international sports events. The Government’s commitment to modernizing key sports facilities under the First Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address aligns with a strategic framework for the future of sports in the region. The HKCTA remains confident that systematic upgrades to sports hardware, venue operations, community access, and commercial integration will further solidify Hong Kong’s status as a premier host city for international sports events in Asia.
Victoria Park Tennis Courts: History and Urban Role in Advancing Hong Kong Tennis
Victoria Park Tennis Courts have long served as a pivotal venue for tennis and prestigious international tournaments in Hong Kong, holding a distinguished place in the history and heritage of local sports. Situated in the heart of the city, offering seamless transport connectivity and immediate proximity to the primary commercial and retail hub of Causeway Bay, Victoria Park remains one of the rare tennis facilities positioned within the central district of a prominent global metropolis. This distinctive urban location constitutes a significant strategic advantage for Hong Kong in hosting and advancing international tennis events.
Ronnie Cheng, Manager of Team Hong Kong, also shared, “Upgrading this iconic venue is a meaningful way to honour Hong Kong’s tennis heritage while building a stronger foundation for the sport’s future. We hope Victoria Park will continue to serve as a home for the community — a place where fans and members of the public can come together, rally behind Team Hong Kong, China, and share the pride and passion of supporting our local players.”
The HKCTA maintains that upgrading Victoria Park Tennis Courts will enhance both the venue infrastructure and the realization of its prime metropolitan location. By establishing greater synergy between international sporting events and adjacent commercial, tourism, dining, and retail sectors, the modernized venue can deliver an elevated experience for competitors, spectators, residents, and visitors, while providing enduring contributions to Hong Kong’s sports industry and major event economy.
In August of this year, the HKCTA submitted “The Proposal on the Development of Tennis and Emerging Racquet Sports in Hong Kong” to the HKSAR Government. This submission recommended to evaluate the enhancement of Victoria Park Tennis Courts to address the requirements of higher-level international competitions, professional tours, elite youth development, public participation, and the growth of emerging racquet sports. The HKCTA welcomes the Government’s active consideration of these initiatives and anticipates contributing further professional counsel as the planning progresses.
Building a Comprehensive Racquet Sports Ecosystem to Advance Pickleball and Emerging Sports
The proposed redevelopment of the Victoria Park Tennis Courts presents a strategic opportunity to enhance Hong Kong’s athletic infrastructure and operational capabilities, bolster the mega-event economy, and expand public participation in sports. By equipping the future facility to host high-profile international competitions alongside supporting community recreation, youth development programs, and emerging racquet sports, Hong Kong can establish a robust, integrated sports ecosystem that serves athletes, spectators, visitors, and related economic sectors.
Given the continued development of tennis, pickleball, padel and other racquet sports locally and regionally, Hong Kong requires more comprehensive venue facilities, event programming and talent development support to meet participation needs at different levels. Emerging disciplines such as pickleball are well suited for community engagement and intergenerational participation, helping to attract more members of the public to racquet sports and broaden overall sports participation. The Hong Kong, China Pickleball Representative Team’s bronze medal in the Open Division at the Pickleball World Cup in early September, marking its second consecutive podium finish, further underscores the importance of enhanced venue, event and training support.
HKCTA remains committed to collaborating with the HKSAR Government, the sports sector, business community, schools, community groups and international organisations, in support of the Government’s policy direction to promote sports development and the mega-event economy. Through high-level events, elite and youth training, coach and officiating development, and school and community outreach, HKCTA will continue to advance the elite development, professionalisation and industrialisation of tennis and emerging racquet sports in Hong Kong, contributing to Hong Kong’s development as an important tennis and racquet sports platform connecting Mainland China with the world.
Full Proposal and Executive Summary
The Chinese and English versions of the full proposal and executive summary of “The Proposal on the Development of Tennis and Emerging Racquet Sports in Hong Kong “have been uploaded to the link below for reference by the media and the public –
Full Proposal: https://www.tennishk.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Proposal-on-the-Development-of-Tennis-and-Emerging-Rqcquet-Sports-in-HK-.pdf
Executive Summary: https://www.tennishk.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Key-Summary_-Hong-Kong-Tennis-and-Emerging-Racket-Sports-Development-Proposal.pdf
High-res Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1Q5t-nTOsIvWGlcxvWf6JxC5JC1tevOzv