[5 April 2025, HONG KONG] The Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (HKCTA) announced today that the globally acclaimed innovative tennis event, the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS), will make its grand Asian debut at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park from 14 to 15 October 2025. This revolutionary “sportainment” spectacle, featuring a dynamic format, celebrity players, and electrifying performances, will elevate both Hong Kong’s “mega-events economy” and the development of local tennis sports to new heights.
Australia’s No.1 and 2024 UTS Grand Final London champion Alex de Minaur is among the players already confirmed in the eight-man field in Hong Kong, with the World No. 9 and 2024 UTS Oslo champion Andrey Rublev, and China’s No.1 tennis star Zhang Zhizhen.
To mark this milestone, a trophy handover ceremony was held at half-time at Bastide Médical UTS Nîmes in France. Michael Cheng, President of the HKCTA, who attended the ceremony, stated, “UTS Hong Kong marks UTS’s first-ever event in Asia, and the only Asian stop in the 2025 tour. UTS is more than just a tennis tournament; it’s a dazzling fusion of world-class athleticism and entertainment. It is a mega-event tailor-made for Hong Kong.”
Tennis Titans Unite to Pioneer “Sportainment”
Since its inception in 2020, UTS has captivated global audiences with its uniquely fast-paced format. Each match is divided into four 8-minute quarters, allowing fans to understand the time remaining. The straightforward 1-2-3 scoring system, combined with 15-second serve clocks, makes matches more intense and accessible.
UTS emphasises fan engagement and entertainment, transforming spectators into active participants in the match. Players conduct mid-quarter interviews displayed on giant screens, spectators do not need to keep quiet and can move around the arena, and live music and lighting effects create an electrifying atmosphere distinct from traditional tennis events.
Besides its audience-centric setting, the competition remains fiercely elite. As part of the Hong Kong Tennis Season and an event sanctioned by the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF), UTS Hong Kong will feature eight top-tier players, with additional stars to be announced later.
“To sports fans everywhere, UTS in Hong Kong is your chance to witness world-class athletes in sportainment action,” added President Cheng. “Whether you’re a lifelong enthusiast or new to the sport, prepare for an exhilarating celebration of skill and showmanship.”
Connecting the World Through Tennis as an Events Capital
As Asia’s mega-events capital, Hong Kong is a hub for international sports tournaments. UTS’ choice of Hong Kong as its debut location into the Asian market reflects this advantageous reputation. Past international tennis tournaments in Hong Kong have drawn praise not only for their organisation but also for the city’s culinary excellence and logistical efficiency.
UTS has previously dazzled crowds in
- Los Angeles, USA (2023),
- New York, USA (in the historic Forest Hills Stadium, the former home of the US Open),
- Frankfurt, Germany (2023-2024),
- Guadalajara, Mexico (UTS’ Latin American debut),
- Oslo, Norway (2023), and
- Nîmes, France (in a Roman amphitheater built in 100AD).
In each location, the UTS also boosted local tourism, restaurant, and retail sectors.
“We extend a warm welcome to fans in Mainland China – especially those in the neighboring Greater Bay Area cities,” said President Cheng. “With our vibrant energy, proven expertise in hosting international events, and the unwavering support of the Hong Kong government and our community, we are ready to deliver an unforgettable experience.”
A spokesperson for the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said: “We welcome the decision of hosting Ultimate Tennis Showdown at the new Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong in October 2025. The hosting of mega sports events in Hong Kong will not only attract high-spending visitors, but will also foster the development of sports. We look forward to welcoming visitors from around the world to participate in Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Hong Kong later this year.”
Developing Local Tennis Groups: a New Chapter for the Hong Kong Tennis Season
Hosting UTS will benefit the nurturing of Hong Kong’s tennis community Beyond providing opportunities for Hong Kong’s tennis players to connect with elite athletes from around the world, UTS can also develop more local tennis talents through inspiring young players. Moreover, the “sportainment” approach, which combines competition and entertainment, will ignite broader public passion for tennis.
“Hong Kong is such an exciting, vivacious and fast-paced place so it’s the perfect location for UTS to make its debut in Asia,” said Patrick Mouratoglou, UTS Tour founder. “The HKCTA, our co-organizer, has done a fantastic job in growing tennis in Hong Kong and we share their passion for bringing more and more new people into the sport, especially kids and young people.”
UTS Hong Kong will kick off this year’s “Hong Kong Tennis Season” in October, offering fans and citizens alike a stellar lineup of events to cement the city’s status as a premier tennis destination.
UTS Hong Kong Event Details
- Dates: 14–15 October 2025
- Venue: Kai Tak Arena
- Ticketing: Details to be announced
- Official Website: https://www.uts.live/
UTS Rules Summary
A UTS match is divided into four 8-minute quarters, with the first player to win three quarters declared the winner. If the score is tied at 2-2 after four quarters, the match proceeds to sudden death, where the first player to win two consecutive points claims victory.
At the end of each 8-minute quarter, the outcome is decided by quarter point. The leading player only needs to win one additional point to secure the quarter, while the trailing player must win consecutive points to overtake their opponent. For example, if Player A leads Player B 12-9 when time expires, Player A can win the quarter by scoring just one more point (13-9). Player B, however, would need to win four consecutive points to reverse the score to 13-12.
One of UTS’s unique features is the Bonus Card, which allows each player to use one “Next Point Counts 3” card per quarter. When played, the next point becomes worth three points, potentially turning the tide of the match.
To maintain the fast-paced nature of the game, UTS employs streamlined serving rules. Players get only one serve (no second serves), and lets (net serves) are considered in play. Additionally, players must serve within 15 seconds of the previous point, and there are no breaks between points, ensuring continuous, high-energy action throughout the match.