1. Watching England lose
The Hong Kong Sevens -- which takes place from March 25-27 -- is one of the few world-class international events that come to this sports-starved part of the world.
The action on the pitch is first-class. Best things about it: watching Australia lose, watching England lose, watching the Pacific Island nations like Fiji and Samoa turn it on.
This year, watch out for the Hong Kong versus Wales grudge match, sure to be dramatic after Hong Kong's underdog win against them in 2010. Besides, Hong Kong coach Dai Rees used to be the Wales coach.
"There were newspaper headlines back in Wales about me beating the team that had asked me to leave," says the coach about his Hong Kong team's win over Wales last year.
2. Strapping units
Some of the most eye-catching athletes in the world will be here for the Hong Kong Sevens, hurtling up and down the field like a pack of excited adolescent tigers.
Check them out at "Hot rugby players: The real winners of the Hong Kong Sevens" to see what we're talking about.
Or see them in all their glorious flesh at the W's "What Women Want" fashion show where this year the Spanish team will strip off their shirts in the name of charity. Catch Hip Hong Kong's Flickr photostream from last year's event when the Italian team took the stage.
"What Women Want" March 23, 2011. HK$398 ($450 at the door). Steal a kiss from a Spanish rugby player for just HK$50. All proceeds to Vision First, a Hong Kong based-charity promoting the welfare of asylum seekers and refugees. Reservations call +852 3717 2222 or email livingroom.hk@whotels.com.
3. Street walker fashion OK
Where else can you wear that full body lycra suit that highlights your perfect physique without causing a sex riot? The costume displays in the Hong Kong Stadium's South Stand are so bizarre, you would fit in.
The usual suspects for costume choice are Spartans, Greek gods in togas, Mario Brothers. The best costume of the weekend headlines the South Morning Post -- last year it was the characters from the Hangover, complete with baby.
4. An excuse not to be cheap
Hong Kong Sevens fans aren't all drunks. In 2010, the event brought in US$30 million from the 21,000-odd overseas spectators alone. That doesn't even count the locals' spending. All this makes Hong Kong business owners true fans of the event too.
"During the weekend, we expect to sell 2,000 hamburgers, 1,500 hot dogs, 1,200 meat pies and 1,000 curries per day at the Sevens Village," caterer Brian Parfitt told The Standard.
The event is also a huge awareness campaign for sports and tourism, as the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union gets to drum up support for local grassroots rugby development.
And if you think about it, the combination of hot dogs, fancy dress, and outdoor sports makes the Hong Kong Sevens quite a family-friendly affair. Despite the South Stand.
5. Polite drunks
There are few other sporting events in the world where the combination of vast quantities of alcohol, males and sport does not end in senseless violence and stupidity. The Hong Kong Sevens just has its fair share of fun stupidity.
The players are also on their best behavior on and off the field. If only we could say that about all athletes (see drunken Aussies caught on video).
6. Beer girls!
All the girls in the South Stand are legal. Or are clever enough to convince the humorless security guards that they are. The beer girls are so impressive in their ability to multi-task, holding multiple jugs while wearing incredibly classy outfits, you may just want to marry one.
In fact, a social associate of this author did just that. So enamored was he, he cast aside his then-current wife to facilitate the aforementioned arrangement. Shocking, but true. We don’t endorse this sort of behaviour.
7. More drinking than usual
The South Stand party continues outside of the stadium:
Soho: A mix of local and expats will hang out here trying to get away from the tourists. The vibe will be only slightly more chilled out than the other party zones.
Lan Kwai Fong: Full on. Combination of tourists, Billboard Top 100 cover bands, lychee martinis and rows of shots.
Wanchai: By far the most popular after-party district. Tourists, under-18s looking for cheap drinks, 50-somethings looking for cheap dates, as well as everyone looking to really let their hair down. Anything goes in Wanchai.
The players celebrate with a dinner after the tournament, but with the next leg of the Sevens scheduled just five days after the Hong Kong stop, the bigger teams will probably reign in the partying for another week. Anyone not competing the following week will be out with their supporters.
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