I’ve just returned from the most electrifying sporting event I’ve ever witnessed, and I have to tell you all about it. I’m talking about the HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament. I’ve been following professional golf for over two decades, attending everything from local pros to major championships.
But nothing and I mean nothing felt quite like the energy buzzing through the Fanling air last week. If you think golf is just about polite clapping and hushed whispers, you haven’t experienced LIV Golf. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about this incredible event, from the star-studded lineup to the party atmosphere, and why this has quickly become the highlight of my sporting calendar.
My First Impression of the HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong
The moment I stepped into the gates of the old Hong Kong Golf Club, the difference became obvious. This is one of the oldest historic golf clubs in Asia, and champions have been born there in more than 60 years. The atmosphere was not, however, pervaded with the normal silence anxiety. It was thumping with music.
The aroma of amazing food of 12 different cuisines was in the air. Children were running around with face paint and families were lying on the grass and gazing at some of the largest names in golf strutting a few feet away. That is precisely what LIV Golf experience has to offer: a golf tournament redefined in the form of a world-class sports entertainment festival.
In the case of 2026, it was not only a larger event in terms of spectacle, it was a monumental increase in stakes. We are talking of a total of US dollar 3000 million as the prize money that is more than HK dollar 2.3 billion- and thus it is the richest sporting event in the history of Hong Kong. It is not a game, but it is a life changing financial war which is fought on green fairways.
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The Thrill of the New Format: Why 72 Holes Matter
One of the initial aspects that I have observed this year was the modification of the game itself. Previously, LIV Golf tournaments were a sprint -54 holes. However, they changed it in the case of the 2026 season. The HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong was a marathon event where the tournament involved a 72 holes stroke play format.
This was brilliant news as a fan. It translated into a bonus day of world quality golf. But over and above that, it transformed the strategy. I talked to some of the caddies around the practice green, and these were their opinions: the longer one the more rewarding to consistency. It is not so much about one hot round but the winner of the legendary Fanling golf course in four days.
I believe the more the rounds, the more competition one has, the more competitive it will be. It is more in the fans favor, and it is more in the favour of the guys who are doing a good job.
Likewise, Jon Rahm is a two-time LIV Golf Individual Champion.
I couldn't agree more, Jon. It was completely captivating to see the board turn and transform throughout the four days and the fact that the players had to regulate their energy and their strategy. It was an actual test of golf but with the excitement of a sports and music festival.
Stars Aligned: Watching the World’s Best at Fanling
Let’s talk about the players. The field was out of this world. It is 57 of the greatest golfers on the earth, divided into 13 teams of four, and a few individual wild cards. I have felt that we were going to be treated when I saw the LIV Golf player roster of 2026.
As I walked the fairways, I was able to see Jon Rahm at close. He is the top ranked player in the LIV league and you can understand why. His focus is incredible. At a distance of only a couple of feet, I could see Bryson DeChambeau shoot drive bombs that appeared to go against the laws of physics.
Watching these guys on television is one thing but to actually hear the sound of the clubface and the ball hitting the clubface, it is a totally different thing.
Naturally, the entire attention was focused on the defending champion, Sergio Garcia . The winner of the same event thrice in a row, Fireballs GC and himself were looking to make history. It was a school of how to make shots to watch him thread his way through the course and particularly the tricky and narrow fairways of the Fanling layout. He said he liked the old style of golf course here too much and you could see it in his play.
And it was not only the great ones. I also tried to track the young guns. Such talents as Elvis Smylie of Ripper GC, who won the seasonal debut, demonstrate how well the talent pool in LIV Golf is actually deep. The future of the sport is secured.
A Course with a Story: The Legendary Hong Kong Golf Club
It is impossible to discuss the HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong without mentioning the venue. The Hong Kong Golf Club history belongs to the set of factors which make this event so special. This is a place that has stories of its own, and was founded in 1889.
Did you know that Hong Kong Golf Club and Augusta national are the only two club in the world that has been hosting the same professional tournament more than 60 years? . That's incredible company.
The course itself is a beast. It is a par-70 course that covers 6,700 yards, yet it is not only the length of the course. It's about precision. The golf course is narrow-fairways, and the strategy of playing on the golf course is purely positioning.
I parked by the 9 th hole much of my Sunday. The longest par 4 on the course is the one at 493 yards, and (based on the statistics) the most challenging hole of the two-year history of the LIV Golf Hong Kong. It was hair-pulling to watch the pros attempt to overcome it.
On the other side, there is a scoring opportunity, the par-5 13 th hole, which also has a massive double green in common with the 17 th hole. It is those peculiarities that make this course some kind of gem of the golf world.
More Than Just Golf: The Fan Experience and Entertainment
Okay, I have to be honest. I found the events outside the course to be as entertaining as the events inside the golf course, even to a golf fanatic like me. It is here that LIV Golf takes the mould. It is meant to be a golf and a music festival.
There was a lot of buzz in the LIV Golf Fan Village. They had children games, interactive areas where you could take turns on the swing, there were plenty of food booths to keep you busy eating the entire day. I picked up some of the amazing local street food and sat and enjoyed the action on a large screen whilst sitting on a bean bag chair. It was more of a family-type sporting event than an ordinary golf tournament.
And Sunday night had its way. When you were at the course, you were lucky to be at the HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong after-party with Dom Dolla. The idea is as follows: one day observation of the best golfers in the world, and then a concert of a world-famous DJ, all on the territory of one of the oldest golf clubs. The place transformed. The energy was incredible. It is a brilliant strategy of showing the sport to a new generation.
When one wants an even more upscale experience, one can aim at the "Grounds Plus" experience. It provides you with private viewing decks and "The Oasis" a chill-out area with comfortable seating areas, private toilets and free drinks. It is the best way to celebrate the event in a style.
Planning Your Trip: Tickets and Logistics for Next Year
In case I have persuaded you that you have to be in the HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong 2027, then we should discuss the practical side. The upside is that starting in February 18-21, 2027 they have already unveiled the news of the re-emergence of the tournament.
Getting tickets is easy. They are available directly on the official LIV Golf site. This year prices were quite decent with the Grounds Passes costing at least HK$293 on Thursday and reaching approximately HK 350 on the weekend. And here is one money-saving tip; kids under 12 are free when they come with a paying adult on a Grounds Pass. It is an extremely cheap and fun day out as a family in Hong Kong.
It is also easy to get to the Hong Kong Golf Club location. The club is situated in Fanling 1 Fan Kam Road. The MTR will stop at Fanling Station and then it is just a short taxi-look or even a walk. They also have transportation guides to LIV golf Hong Kong on their website that are detailed.
The following are a few tips that I have learnt:
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking around a lot and you would be interested to follow the action hole to hole.
- Look at the list of prohibited items. You can not carry big bags or external drinks, but you can carry an empty water bottle.
- Plan your day. Review the player tee times and make a determination on who you absolutely have to see. And then, give oneself time to simply go around and absorb the air.
Looking Ahead: The Future of LIV Golf in Asia
It is also evident that LIV Golf is here to stay and Hong Kong is a huge component of its future. This collaboration with the 160-year old HSBC, the bank that has been transporting Hong Kong to the world, is the right fit. It is all about making exclusive experiences and developing Hong Kong in the global arena according to Barry O Byrne of HSBC.
I also interviewed Andy Kwok who is the Captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club and he told me how he was proud to bring this world-class event to the region. He indicated that the first two editions had been an unprecedented success with record attendance of fans that traveled in the Greater Bay Area and even further.
This is already committed to 2027 which demonstrates the power of this collaboration and the affection of the city to the event.
This tournament is not simply the placement of Hong Kong on the world sporting map; it is also developing golf in Asia. It is encouraging an entire generation of young players to take up a club.
Final Thoughts
When I left the HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong on Sunday evening when the final putt had dropped and the fans were screaming, I was really excited about the future of this sport. This happening has been able to achieve something extraordinary. It honours the rich customs and heritage of the sport, particularly in a temple of golf as Fanling, yet it is not afraid to take a fresh, dynamic and open-minded future.
It is the one whether you are a golf fanatic or just someone seeking a sports event that is of world class with live music and amazing ambience. I am already looking forward to February 2027. I hope that I will find you on the fairways.
Frequently Asked Questions About HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong
Q: What will be the format of the HSBC LIV Gulf Hong Kong tournament?
A: In 2026, the tournament was changed to a 72-hole 4-day stroke play. The number of individual players is 54 and the individuals also play in 13 teams. The individual golf competition and the LIV Golf team championship counts the scores.
Q: What and when will the 2027 HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong be?
A: The tournament will take place in February 18-21 in 2027 and will be hosted once again in the historic Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.
Q: Who are the best players competing in Hong Kong?
A: There are stars in the field always. Players such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, Phil Mickelson, and defending champion Sergio Garcia all attended in 2026.
Q: Is HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong family- and kid-friendly?
A: Absolutely! It is among the sporting events that are the most family friendly. It has the LIV Golf Fan Village, containing activities, live music, and good food. Besides, kids aged 12 and below are free with an adult on Grounds Pass.
