In an exciting week for music lovers in Hong Kong, British rock band Coldplay is set to perform four concerts at Kai Tak Stadium, beginning Tuesday and continuing through Saturday. With shows scheduled to conclude after 10 PM, the MTR has announced enhanced services on the Tuen Ma and East Rail lines to accommodate the expected influx of concertgoers.
The MTR, which operates the rail lines, has warned that stations along the Tuen Ma Line, particularly Kai Tak and Sung Wong Toi, may experience heightened crowds during concert entry times, which coincide with the evening rush hour. To manage passenger flow, temporary measures will be put in place at these stations, including one-way directional systems and adjusted entry and exit routes. Concertgoers are advised to pay close attention to station announcements and follow directional signage for guidance. Additionally, the MTR reminded cross-border passengers to check the last train departure times for Lo Wu Station to ensure timely connections after the events. In preparation for the crowds, extra staff will be deployed to assist with crowd control, and the corporation emphasized its ongoing coordination with relevant authorities to streamline operations.
Concertgoers will be allowed to bring empty reusable plastic or silicone bottles into the stadium, as confirmed by the event organizer, Live Nation. Bottles with a capacity of 600 milliliters or less will be permitted, while disposable plastic and glass bottles, aluminum cans, and thermal bottles and cups will still be prohibited. This decision comes amidst concerns from environmental groups like Greenpeace, which recently urged Kai Tak Sports Park to provide reusable plastic cups after estimating that around 510,000 paper cups were used during the Hong Kong Sevens event held from March 28 to 30. Greenpeace campaigner Leanne Tam criticized the sports park's sustainability efforts, calling them a mere "façade," especially after the management allegedly violated its own rules by providing plastic bottled water to VIPs at a snooker tournament while banning drinks for the general public.
As the excitement builds for the concerts, Kai Tak Sports Park has advised attendees to prepare in advance by collecting physical tickets early, allowing ample time for entry, and planning their transportation to and from the venue. Regular ticket holders can enter starting at 5 PM, while those with upgraded experience tickets will have early entry at 4 PM or 4:30 PM. Attendees are reminded to be mindful of venue rules and restrictions on items brought into the stadium. Notably, plastic or silicone bottles and cups must not have caps attached, and storage facilities for paid items will be available near the stadium from 2 PM to 11 PM on the event day.
For those driving to the venue, it is important to note that there are no parking spaces available within Kai Tak Sports Park. Instead, special bus and taxi drop-off and pick-up areas will be designated at three locations: Song Wong Toi Road, the Kai Tak Stadium taxi drop-off area (which will not allow pick-ups), and the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground taxi drop-off area (also not allowing pick-ups). Audience members using taxis to leave the venue will only be able to take them from the special bus/taxi drop-off area on Song Wong Toi Road.
John Sharkey, CEO of Kai Tak Sports Park, expressed great anticipation for Coldplay’s performances, highlighting them as a significant milestone for the venue. Sharkey stated, "We are committed to providing venues for more world-class sports and entertainment events, continuing to drive the development of Hong Kong’s sports economy and solidifying its position as the hub of major events in Asia." This week’s sold-out shows mark the first major international music act to perform at the newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park, which has been touted by the government as a state-of-the-art venue for large-scale events, aimed at boosting tourism amid the city's slow recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
As fans prepare for an unforgettable experience, they are reminded to adhere to the regulations set forth by the venue. Live Nation has also listed additional regulations, including a ban on professional cameras, recording equipment, selfie sticks, tripods, laptops, tablets, and drones. Furthermore, fan banners and balloons are prohibited. To enter the standing zone, audience members must be at least 12 years old and taller than 1.4 meters, while children aged three years and older are permitted in the seating zone. Concertgoers will undergo bag checks before entering, with bags exceeding the dimensions of 38 by 30 by 20 centimeters banned from the venue.
As the concerts approach, excitement is palpable among Coldplay fans, who are eager to witness the band’s renowned performances. With careful planning and adherence to the guidelines, attendees can look forward to a memorable experience at Kai Tak Stadium.
