Hong Kong snooker event’s crowds ‘met expectations’ despite no world record
World Grand Prix drew at times sparse attendances to Kai Tak Arena, but organisers ‘confident and determined’ for the future
Organisers of snooker’s World Grand Prix in Hong Kong earlier this month have insisted ticket sales met expectations despite a predicted world-record crowd failing to materialise.
Hong Kong’s first competitive tournament on the global circuit in 36 years, it featured most of the leading players and was the first major sporting event held at Kai Tak Sports Park since its official opening on March 1.
There were expectations of a record attendance for a snooker ranking event, with Kai Tak Arena configured for up to 5,300, yet crowds were sparse for much of the six days of action, and exact figures were not issued.
A spokesman eventually released an estimate of 23,000 that represented 13 sessions combined and did not appear to match what was witnessed by the Post.
Lakita Feng Huanhuan, chief executive of organiser F-Sports, has since told the Post just over 8,000 tickets were sold across three official platforms.
“Honestly, the sale matched my expectations,” she said. “We had organised the International Championship in Tianjin in 2023, so we knew what to expect.”