Hong Kong – Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will make history this summer by playing the first-ever North London derby outside the United Kingdom, with the two clubs set to face off in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong.
The highly anticipated clash will take place on July 31 at the newly opened 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium, part of Hong Kong’s $3.85 billion sports park.
A Historic Fixture in a New Venue
Arsenal’s managing director, Richard Garlick, expressed excitement about the match, calling it an important part of the team’s preparations for the new season.
“Playing against Tottenham Hotspur in the magnificent new Kai Tak Stadium will be a great experience for both teams and supporters, and will be a very important part of our pre-season preparations ahead of the new season,” he said.
Liverpool to Face AC Milan in a Champions League Final Rematch
The North London derby is not the only high-profile match scheduled in Hong Kong. On July 26, Liverpool will take on AC Milan at the same venue in what will be a replay of the famous 2005 UEFA Champions League final.
The 2005 final, often referred to as the “Miracle of Istanbul,” saw Liverpool come back from 3-0 down to win on penalties, securing one of the most dramatic victories in football history.
Liverpool’s Pre-Season Plans
In addition to their Hong Kong appearance, Liverpool will also travel to Japan for pre-season, although the club has yet to announce exact dates.
Currently leading the Premier League by 12 points with nine games left, Arne Slot’s Liverpool could head to Hong Kong as reigning champions, adding even more excitement to their Asian tour.
Kai Tak Stadium and Hong Kong’s Sports Revival
The Kai Tak Stadium saw its first major event last weekend, hosting the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, which attracted over 110,000 spectators over three days.
The city hopes to use high-profile sporting events to rebuild its global image, which suffered due to political unrest and strict Covid-19 restrictions.
With two of the biggest fixtures in football set to take place, Hong Kong is positioning itself as a key destination for major international sports events.