getty images

Cristiano Ronaldo Effect In Hong Kong- Restaurants Eye Massive Profit During Al Nassr Vs Al Ittihad

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Farah Ben Gamra | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 9:39 AM ET

Restaurants and cafés around Hong Kong Stadium are getting ready for a huge surge in business as the Saudi Super Cup brings global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to town.

The Portuguese forward, playing for Al-Nassr, has already stolen the headlines ahead of Tuesday’s semifinal against Al-Ittihad, and local eateries hope his presence will give them a 30% boost.

Business owners in Causeway Bay and So Kon Po say the influx of football fans will fill tables across the area. The manager of Yuga, a local cha chaan teng, said it could be substantial “if there’s no rain”, noting that heavy showers might send fans to shelters and eateries near MTR stations rather than the open-air shops near the stadium.

Cristiano Ronaldo Fever Beyond the Pitch

Ronaldo’s first competitive game in Hong Kong has already got the city buzzing. Since arriving last Thursday, fans have been tracking him to training sessions and the newly opened CR7 Life Museum at K11 Musea, where a surprise visit last week caused long queues and went viral on social media.

The city has also prepared for the crowds. Causeway Bay and So Kon Po, around the stadium, will see special traffic arrangements in place on match day, including road closures, redirected streets, and increased public transport options, to help fans and local businesses flow in both directions with ease.

For executives at Al-Nassr the issue is not only about football. They see Hong Kong as a playground to develop closer relations between Saudi Arabia and China, which is part of a broader strategy aligned to the nation's global sport aspirations and 2034 World Cup campaign.

The Super Cup will start on Tuesday with Al-Nassr vs Al-Ittihad and then on Wednesday night with Al-Ahli vs Al-Qadsiah. The winners will return on Saturday for the final, an event that will attract thousands and sustain the week-long restaurant boom.

For Hong Kong’s dining scene, the Saudi Super Cup it's way more than a football tournament, it’s a real-time test of how far the Ronaldo effect will go in the local economy, if the weather has other plans.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: