Coldplay in Hong Kong: fans flock to Kai Tak Stadium for much-awaited concert

Thousands of excited Coldplay fans have gathered at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park hours before the first of the band’s four concerts in the city this week.

Concertgoers flocked to Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday to get their hands on merchandise and soak up the atmosphere ahead of the first full show by an international act at the venue.

Many posed for photos in front of the stadium, while some fans distributed merchandise such as temporary tattoos, keychains and postcards.

The stadium is the centrepiece of the city’s new HK$30 billion (US$3.85 billion) sports park which was officially opened last month.

Last September, Coldplay announced it would be heading to the city for three shows in its “Music of the Spheres” world tour, with tickets sold out within minutes. It added a fourth concert in November.

Complaints from fans surfaced last month as they were forced to queue for a long time to exchange misprinted tickets issued by Cityline. The incident prompted the city’s tourism chief to demand the company offer an apology and an explanation.