Hong Kong Opens Registration for Public Sports Centre Access Next Week

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will open online booking for 1,800 additional weekly slots at seven public sports centres beginning 15 July 2026.

Citywide demand for affordable indoor space has risen sharply since the 2025 reopening of full contact sports programmes, pushing many residents toward district-level facilities rather than private clubs. The expansion targets neighbourhoods where wait times for badminton courts and basketball half-courts previously stretched beyond two weeks.

Two sites receiving the largest share of new slots sit in eastern Kowloon. The Kowloon Park Sports Centre on Nathan Road added four refurbished badminton courts last month, while the adjacent fitness room now offers morning sessions for seniors. Further east, the Hong Kong Velodrome in Tseung Kwan O opened 12 extra cycling lanes for public use on weekdays after 6 p.m., a direct response to resident requests logged at the district council office in December.

Usage data released by the department last quarter showed 214,000 individual bookings across all public sports centres in the first three months of 2026, up 17 percent from the same period in 2025. Session fees remain unchanged at HK$17 for a 55-minute badminton court and HK$38 for a 90-minute basketball half-court when booked through the MyLCSD mobile app. Walk-in rates cost an extra HK$10.

Registration steps and required documents

Applicants must hold a valid Hong Kong identity card or a visitor permit with at least three months remaining. The first step is to download the MyLCSD app and create an account using the same email linked to any existing library card. Once verified, users select their district and filter by sport and time slot. Confirmation arrives by push notification within 30 seconds of successful booking. Those without smartphones can register in person at the venue counter between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily, bringing the original identity document and a completed paper form available at the entrance.

Practical tips for first-time users

Peak hours at both Kowloon Park and the Velodrome run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, so new participants are advised to select earlier slots during the first month to avoid full bookings. Participants should arrive 10 minutes early for temperature screening and to collect a numbered bib at the counter. Lockers require a HK$5 coin deposit. Water fountains are located beside each court, but users must bring their own bottles. For those unsure which sport to try, the department runs free 45-minute taster classes at the two venues every Saturday morning through August, limited to 20 people per session and bookable through the same app.