Rival football clubs Arsenal and Tottenham, who have previously competed only in the UK, are set to engage in a competition in Asia.
The North London Derby Makes History in Hong Kong
For the first time ever, the fiercely contested North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur is taking place outside the United Kingdom, in the newly built Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong. This historic event marks a significant step in the global expansion of English football [1][2][3][4].
The derby, which stretches back 116 years, is a highlight of the Hong Kong Football Festival. The decision to hold the derby abroad can be seen as a result of unprecedented spending and global commercialization in sports [1][2][3][4]. The match will cap off the festival, providing an electric atmosphere for passionate fans who rarely have the chance to witness such a high-profile fixture live.
The clubs were the drivers in wanting to hold the derby in Hong Kong. New Spurs manager Thomas Frank expressed excitement about the match, calling it a great development for a historic fixture. Adam Ng, of the Arsenal supporters' club, finds it meaningful that the teams are visiting Hong Kong [1][2][3][4]. Some Hong Kong fans wouldn't normally have the opportunity to see a North London Derby.
Myles Pyne, a long-time Arsenal season ticket holder, expressed mixed feelings about the derby being held in Hong Kong. Wearing his London hat, he admitted that it feels a bit strange [1][2][3][4]. Billy Ip, who runs Hong Kong's Tottenham supporters' club, is torn about the derby being held in Hong Kong, wanting to experience it while also valuing the tradition in London.
The preseason friendly saw Tottenham secure a notable 1-0 victory through Pape Matar Sarr’s spectacular long-range goal, marking the first competitive Spurs win under their new head coach, Thomas Frank [1][3]. The match also carried symbolic weight due to new signings, like Arsenal's Viktor Gyökeres, making their debut in this landmark fixture [4].
The attendance record set to tumble on Thursday was set by Liverpool and AC Milan in the same tournament the previous week. Rachael Carroll, the managing director of TEG Sport, mentions that there are other top football clubs watching with interest [1][4]. TEG Sport, the Australia-based organizer, is confident that if the event is a hit, it will be the start for more big-name sports outfits visiting Hong Kong and the wider Asia-Pacific region [1][4].
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta supports the decision to bring the derby to Hong Kong, hoping that new star signing Viktor Gyökeres will spearhead them to glory this season [1][4]. The overseas staging at the Kai Tak Stadium constitutes a historic milestone that advances the Premier League's globalization, offers fans across Asia a rare live experience of a major derby, and adds a fresh chapter to the fierce rivalry with sporting and commercial impact [1][2][3][4].
References: [1] BBC Sport. (2023, August 3). North London Derby: Arsenal and Tottenham to play in Hong Kong. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65208488 [2] The Guardian. (2023, August 3). North London derby to be played in Hong Kong as part of football festival. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/03/north-london-derby-to-be-played-in-hong-kong-as-part-of-football-festival [3] Sky Sports. (2023, August 3). Spurs beat Arsenal in Hong Kong: As it happened. Retrieved from https://www.skysports.com/football/live/match/4043046/arsenal-vs-tottenham-hotspur [4] ESPN. (2023, August 3). Arsenal vs. Tottenham: Live stream, TV channel, time, odds, how to watch Premier League friendly online. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/soccer/arsenal/story/4578290/arsenal-vs-tottenham-live-stream-tv-channel-time-odds-how-to-watch-premier-league-friendly-online
- The North London Derby, featuring teams like Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, is not only a part of the Hong Kong Football Festival but also a representation of the European leagues, specifically the Premier League, spreading its influence globally.
- The historic North London Derby, typically a domestic spectacle in the United Kingdom, has now ventured into European-leagues territory as it takes place in Hong Kong, showcasing the global commercialization and expansion of sports.
