Want to try something new while you are living in Hong Kong? Hong Kong has a vibrant sports scene, so getting involved in one of the many sports clubs and associations while you’re in Hong Kong is a good way keep fit and make friends. Many of the clubs have amazing facilities too!
American football
If you’re interested in joining an American football team, pick-up tournaments are held in Happy Valley throughout July and August for the season starting in September. New members are welcome.
Aussie Rules
Fans of Aussie Rules football will be pleased to discover the game is alive and well in Hong Kong. Teams play monthly tournaments with a focus on introducing the game to new players.
Badminton
Players of intermediate level and above can join this friendly yet competitive community for some serious badminton fun. Games are mostly played at the Quarry Bay Sports Center but also at Sheung Wan Sports Centre, Hong Kong Park Sports Centre and a few other venues.
Basketball
You only need to see the courts at Victoria Park to know that basketball is super popular in Hong Kong. There’s a youth academy and the Hong Kong Basketball Association.
hkbaallday.com | basketball.org.hk
Cricket
Cricket has been played in Hong Kong since 1841 – not surprising with our colonial roots and Australian, South African and South Asian communities. It continues to be a much-loved game, with over 60 clubs operating. Keep up to date via the Cricket Hong Kong website.
Dodgeball
More than 600 dodgeball enthusiasts meet weekly to play the fast-paced game. New players interested in joining the league are welcome at the weekly open-gym sessions. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for location details. The Hong Kong Dodgeball Association is a founding member of the Asian Dodgeball Federation and the World Dodgeball Federation.
Dragon Boat Racing
Popular with locals and expats alike, Dragon Boat Racing is a fun sport that keeps you fit and lets you meet new friends. The Dragon Boat Festival in June sees international and local teams battle it out in fierce competition. Find out more from the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association.
Football (soccer)
The world’s favourite game is also Hong Kong’s most popular sport. You’ll see football being played (and watched!) all around the territory. Casual players can sign up to the Casual Football Network, which arranges weekly games at seven locations.
Golf
There are six golf clubs in Hong Kong, five private and one public. The latter, Kau Sai Chau, is a short ferry ride from Sai Kung pier. Golfers can also take advantage of the 10 public driving ranges scattered across the territory. Kids can get involved too because the HK Golf Association offers extensive opportunities for juniors.
Hiking
Hong Kong is home to 24 country parks with more than 300km of marked trails, so hiking is an ever-popular pastime. From the ultra-competitive Oxfam Trailwalker annual competition to organised hiking groups and family trails, everyone can take part and enjoy the wonderful outdoors.
Hockey
Hockey has been played in Hong Kong since the 1930s. More than 100 teams play at various levels, and the season runs from October through to May. Find out more through the Hong Kong Hockey Association. Ice hockey is also popular; the national team is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation and competes in world championships.
hockey.org.hk | icehockeyhongkong.org
Kiteboarding
The Kiteboarding Association of Hong Kong provides training for people of all abilities to learn how to kiteboard; it holds regular tournaments.
Lacrosse
If you have ever wanted to know more about lacrosse, the Hong Kong Lacrosse Association runs regular development programmes for all ages and genders. It also re-established the Hong Kong Open, one of the major tournaments in Asia, in 2014.
Netball
The Hong Kong Netball League season runs from October to April and offers a range of leagues for kids and adults alike. One of the city’s popular sports clubs.
Rugby Union
It’s no secret that Hong Kong is mad about rugby! The vibrant rugby community welcomes players of all ages and abilities – with over 45 men’s teams, 15 women’s teams and a host of kids’ sports clubs – there’s a team to suit everyone. And we’re all looking forward to the famous Hong Kong Sevens tournament being reinstated at the Stadium once the pandemic is done!
hkrugby.com | hkfc.com.hk | If you’re living in Sai Kung, try the Sai Kung Stingrays team.
Running
Launched in 2019, The Gone Runners Club organises regular weekly training runs and formal training both in-person and online, as well as monthly social events.
Swimming
The LCSD operates over 40 public swimming pools, with a range of outdoor and indoor, teaching and kids’ pools. The official swimming season is April to the end of October. Open-water swimming has a big following, too; take a look at the website of the Open Water Swimmers of Hong Kong for starters.
lcsd.gov.hk | owshk.weebly.com
Tennis
The Hong Kong Tennis Association runs seven leagues catering for all ages, from juniors to seniors, providing competitive tennis for all. For casual tennis players, finding somewhere to play isn’t difficult because many private clubs and apartment blocks have courts. Kids’ tennis camps and courses are plentiful and the HK Ladies Tennis League offers six divisions of competitive matches.
tennishk.org | hkladiestennis.com
Trail Running
If you love hiking, trail running or just a family walk in nature, Hong Kong is home to more than 300km of marked trails. This is an ever-popular pastime, leading all the way up to the ultra-competitive Oxfam Trailwalker annual competition.
Volleyball
The Hong Kong Volleyball League is an amateur league that, most importantly, welcomes all players. If you’re interested, you’ll be able to register and see details of all games on this website
Water Sports
With over 700km of coastline and 250 islands, it’s unsurprising that Hong Kong offers a host of water sports to suit all. From sailing and sea kayaking, to diving, kitesurfing, surfing and windsurfing: the list is endless. The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club has been around for well over 100 years and is among the territory’s oldest and largest sporting clubs.
Gold for HK!
At the time of writing this article, news came through that Hong Kong had won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Edgar Cheung Ka-long defeated Italy’s Daniele Garozzo in the individual foil event in fencing to secure Hong Kong’s second gold medal ever in Olympic history. (The first came in 1996, in sailing.) Congrats, Edgar!
What else?
- The final leg of the 60km New Territories Cycle Track Network opened in late 2020 and an additional 22km is touted to be added some time in the near future. The full route will take in areas such as Yuen Long, Sheung Shui, Fan Ling, Tai Po and Sha Tin, and offer seaside vistas and rides through nature areas.
- Polo, the sport of kings, has been growing in popularity in HK over the past decade, and the Hong Kong Polo Team was officially formed in 2014. hongkongpoloclub.org
- Find where the best mountain biking trails are by following the Hong Kong Mountain Bike Association. fb.com/MTBHK
- Ultimate, the flying-disc sport played by millions around the world, is here in HK too. Contact the Hong Kong Ultimate Players Association to get started. hkupa.com
- Competitive video gaming, or eSports, is becoming big business. In 2019, the eSports & Music Festival Hong Kong attracted 80,000 visitors. instagram.com/hkesports
If you’re part of a sports club or team not listed in this article, you can email those details to editor@expatliving.hk
Read more in our Things to Do section:
Best things to do in Hong Kong
Favourite water activities in Hong Kong
This article first appeared in the City Guide 2021/22 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
