To become an international sporting venue, it helps to have an iconic event that appears on the bucket lists of sports fans worldwide. With its 50th anniversary tournament, the Hong Kong Sevens has now consolidated that claim several times over.

It bounced back from the pandemic when the city needed a morale booster. Last year, it emerged even stronger from a move to a new venue that tested fun-loving fans’ loyalty. Now it has confounded concerns that geopolitical tension and wars would dim its attraction, posting a record official attendance over three days of 113,395.

Plaudits flowed in from home and abroad after the third and last day of player and spectator action at the world-class Kai Tak Sports Park. Highlighting Hong Kong’s “growing presence” on the world sporting stage, World Rugby CEO Brett Robinson said the city was increasing its influence as a “significant global player”.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in a post on his official Facebook page that the city would continue to “harness the vitality of the Hong Kong Sevens to showcase its charm and multiculturalism as an international events capital”.

But perhaps the most telling evidence of the Hong Kong Sevens’ global appeal is to be found in the sentiments of fans from far and wide. Take New Zealander Paddy Sannazzaro, who finally made it to the city after 20 years of planning to celebrate his 70th birthday with family and friends. “This has been on our list of things to do, to come here to Hong Kong specifically, to the Sevens,” he said. Take 47-year-old Briton Calin Tacu, who was caught in the heavy rain on day one which led to leaks in the roof of the new main stadium. The weather was no issue because they “were used to it in the UK”.

The rain failed to dampen the Sevens spirit, engendered by a blend of sporting excellence, entertainment and a famous party atmosphere, including colourful costumes. Fortunately, there was no repeat of the food shortage inside the stadium last year – the first time the tournament was held at Kai Tak instead of Hong Kong Stadium in Causeway Bay – and more food and drink outlets have opened outside the park. Fears that things would not be the same at the new location proved groundless. Access options will be further improved under plans for an elevated mass transit railway system to better connect major facilities in the area, such as the sports park and cruise terminal, with the MTR network.