Cirque du Soleil's Kooza returns to HK, expects to generate HK$120m

Circus show Cirque du Soleil Kooza presented by UBS has officially opened its doors at the Central Harbourfront Event Space, expecting to generate HK$120 million in socio-economic value for Hong Kong. 

The value encompasses direct operational expenditures, such as equipment rental, lodging, catering, site construction, local transportation, marketing, taxes, and permits, as well as indirect impacts through local supplier partnerships and job creation.  

Increased tourism and visitor spending in the surrounding area will also benefit industries such as restaurants, hotels, and transportation. Furthermore, the installation of the show requires an estimated HK$4 million investment, utilising the services of professionals in various fields, including consultants, architects, and engineers. 

Featuring new artists and acts, the critically acclaimed show promises audiences an unforgettable experience filled with breathtaking acrobatics, vibrant costumes, and theatrical storytelling. 

To bring this spectacular performance to audiences, the construction of the entire performance venue takes approximately 11 days. This includes erecting the iconic Big Top, as well as setting up the concession area, artistic tent, kitchen, offices, and box office.  

The Big Top itself is a marvel of engineering, standing 19 meters high and 51 metres in diameter, supported by four main pillars each 25 meters in length. To ensure structural stability, 550 stakes are driven into over 4,505 square metres of asphalt. Upon completion, the Big Top will accommodate over 2,500 spectators, allowing them to immerse themselves in the captivating world of Kooza.  

In addition, Cirque du Soleil will utilise approximately 100 containers to transport a total of 2,000 tons of equipment from Seattle to Hong Kong, first stop of the Asian tour, including a wide variety of stage equipment and essential facilities. 

In addition to expressing their enthusiasm for the show's return to Hong Kong, the representatives also announced additional performances between 23 June and 13 July, in response to the incredible demand for the show. 

Amy Lo, chairman, UBS Global Wealth Management Asia, head and chief executive of UBS Hong Kong, said: “UBS is proud to support the return of Cirque du Soleil's Kooza to Hong Kong, a city that thrives on creativity and cultural vibrancy. This spectacular production embodies the precision and artistry that resonate deeply with our values at UBS, where we believe that excellence stems from a relentless commitment to craft, innovation, and delivering exceptional experiences for our clients.” 

Duncan Fisher, chief show operations officer at Cirque du Soleil, said: “We are delighted to kick off Kooza's Asian tour in Hong Kong. It has been seven years since Cirque du Soleil's last performance in Asia's World City, and we hope our return will spark new memories with our loyal fans and bring new spectators to experience Kooza.” 

Yong Kim, CEO and president of Mast International, said “Since 2007, we have proudly partnered with Cirque du Soleil in Korea. Building on this strong18-year relationship, we are thrilled to bring this spectacular production to Hong Kong—the first stop of the Kooza Asia tour in collaboration with Great Entertainment Group. Given the remarkable success we achieved with this show in Korea in 2018, we are confident that audiences in Hong Kong will embrace it with the same enthusiasm and appreciation.” 

Randy Bloom, CEO of Great Entertainment Group, said: “Great Entertainment Group is delighted to partner with Cirque du Soleil, Mast International, UBS to bring Kooza back to Hong Kong. As Hong Kong based producers of multi-award-winning live entertainment events and experiences, we are confident that this extraordinary production will captivate audiences with its stunning visuals, thrilling performances, and its charming story of The Innocent.”  

The return of Kooza to Hong Kong marks the first time the show has been performed in the city since its 2022 refresh, and is made possible through the support of UBS as the presenting partner, proud supporting partners Sun Life, Marriott Bonvoy, Trip.com and TVB, along with supporting organisations Hong Kong Tourism Board and Brand Hong Kong, and a strong network of dedicated partners, suppliers, and vendors.  

To date, Cirque du Soleil has performed Kooza in over 70 cities across 23 countries and regions, and has mesmerised nearly 8 million spectators worldwide with its blend of chills, thrills, laughter, and wonder. 

Join us this coming 17 June for #Content360 Hong Kong, an insightful one-day event centered around responsible AI, creativity VS influencers, Xiaohongshu and more. Let's dive into the art of curating content with creativity, critical thinking and confidence!

Related articles:

Additional HK$600m injected to HK tourism board for marketing activities
Circus Social’s Shalu Wasu joins Eleven Sports Network