Hong Kong is positioning itself as a key player in the sports economy by leveraging its role in co-hosting the 15th National Games. Experts believe the city has the potential to extend its influence beyond the sporting arena, shaping long-term strategies and driving momentum for future events. The successful hosting of the Games has showcased Hong Kong’s capabilities in vision, capacity, and connectivity to the broader sports economy, according to Steve Dainton, CEO of World Table Tennis. Dainton emphasized that Hong Kong’s event capability, international appeal, and experience in hosting large-scale events make it an ideal location for major tournaments like the upcoming WTT Finals in December. He stressed the importance of host cities fostering collaboration among stakeholders and focusing on delivering exceptional fan experiences to generate lasting economic and social value. Kenny Shui, vice-president of Our Hong Kong Foundation, highlighted the need for strategic coordination by the SAR government to align sports events with art and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) activities. He suggested transforming the National Games Coordination Office into a permanent entity to manage large-scale multi-sports events and introducing sports-related financial products, such as event rights trading and sports bonds, to attract mainland investors. Shui also proposed leveraging Hong Kong’s status as a financial hub to facilitate international sponsorship agreements and intellectual property licensing, thereby lowering barriers for Chinese brands entering global leagues. Chi Sum Li of KPMG China noted Hong Kong’s unique strengths in ‘soft infrastructure,’ including international standards and IP protection, which can drive the regional sports economy and promote the Greater Bay Area’s sports brand globally. As the Chinese sports industry expands internationally, Hong Kong’s robust IPO market and private equity channels are seen as valuable platforms for raising capital to support overseas acquisitions and marketing efforts. Leading brands like Anta and Li-Ning have already utilized Hong Kong as a springboard for international growth, demonstrating the city’s potential as a gateway for global sports expansion.