Historic encounter between London's North football clubs marks its premiere in Hong Kong, drawing an audience of 50,000 passionate spectators.
Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal Face Off in Historic North London Derby in Hong Kong
The North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur took place outside the United Kingdom for the first time, marking a significant occasion as it brought the intense rivalry to a new international venue [1][4]. The pre-season friendly match was held at Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong, on July 31, 2025.
This historic encounter was part of Arsenal's Asia Tour, with Tottenham Hotspur also utilizing the opportunity to showcase their talents in Asia. The game ended 1-0 in favor of Tottenham Hotspur, with Pape Matar Sarr scoring the winning goal in the first half [2].
The match attracted a massive crowd, with nearly 50,000 fans in attendance. The excitement was palpable, particularly among Tottenham Hotspur fans, who were eager to see their captain Son Heung-min, with some fearing it could be their last chance to watch him in the club's colors due to transfer speculation [3]. Simba, a Spurs fan from Hangzhou, purchased tickets for the match primarily to watch Son Heung-min, who also came on as a substitute [6].
Arsenal fans, on the other hand, were feeling confident about their close-season spending spree approaching 200 million pounds [4]. One of the new signings, Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal's 76 million euros ($86.72 million) Sweden striker, made his debut in the match, wearing the iconic number 14 shirt previously worn by Thierry Henry [5].
The match was not only competitive but also generated significant local interest, contributing to the success of Hong Kong’s first football festival at the venue. It allowed fans in Asia to witness a classic English rivalry live, enhancing football's global outreach [1][4].
In summary:
- Date: July 31, 2025
- Venue: Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong
- Occasion: First North London derby outside UK
- Result: Tottenham 1 - 0 Arsenal
- Goal Scorer: Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham)
- Notable debut: Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal)
- Significance: Historic pre-season fixture; expanded global reach of rivalry
The match set a new precedent for the North London derby's international presence, reflecting broader trends of Premier League clubs staging high-profile games abroad during pre-season. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta expressed amazement at the support received during the North London derby in Hong Kong, while Tottenham Hotspur fans showed their appreciation for Son Heung-min's decade-long service to the club [7].
- Amidst the global reach of the Premier League, the historic North London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal expanded its presence beyond the UK, setting a new precedent for pre-season international games.
- Held on July 31, 2025, at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, the encounter marked the first time the North London derby took place outside the United Kingdom.
- The match, which contributed to Hong Kong’s first football festival at the venue, ended 1-0 in favor of Tottenham Hotspur, with Pape Matar Sarr scoring the winning goal in the first half.
- Besides its competitive nature, the match also attracted significant local interest, particularly among Tottenham Hotspur fans who were eager to witness Son Heung-min, with some fearing it might be their last chance to watch him in Spurs' colors.
- Arsenal's new signing, Viktor Gyokeres, a 76 million euros ($86.72 million) Sweden striker, made his debut in the match, donning the iconic number 14 shirt previously worn by Thierry Henry.
