While the Premier League does have a home/away system, the allocation of the stadiums is less a matter of regional identity than a rational choice. In fact, the teams can claim their home turf priority according to their previous ranking in Hong Kong’s top flight. The HKFA introduced the home/away system for the first time in the 2009/10 season, replacing the so called “double entertainment” mode, which combined several matches on the same ground (usually Mong Kok and Hong Kong Stadium).
Both Kitchee as champion and Eastern as runner-up called for the Mong Kok Stadium as their home ground, which is unquestionable the most conveniently located ground in Hong Kong. Pegasus FC decided to move to the huge Hong Kong Stadium (40,000 seats) in Causeway Bay, forcing South China to leave their premise right next to Caroline Hill. While the final decision hasn’t been made yet if another team can be accommodated together with Pegasus, South China will probably have to move to Tseung Kwan O in the far-east of the Kowloon Peninsula.
The rest of the teams seem to stick with their previous home grounds: Metro Gallery (former YFCMD) chose to remain in Sham Shui Po and the Rangers will most likely stay in Kowloon Bay Park (although they might still call for the scenic Tsing Yi Sports Ground instead). Southern District decided to move back to Aberdeen, while the other district teams of Yuen Long and Wong Tai Sin will continue to play in their neighbourhood.
The tentative home ground list for the 2015/16 Premier League season:
Team | Stadium | Capacity |
Kitchee | Mong Kok Stadium | 6,600 |
Eastern | Mong Kok Stadium | 6,600 |
Pegasus FC | Hong Kong Stadium | 40,000 |
South China | Tseung Kwan O SG | 3,500 |
Metro Gallery | Sham Shui Po SG | 2,200 |
Rangers | Kowloon Bay Park | 1,200 |
Yuen Long | Yuen Long Stadium | 5,000 |
Wong Tai Sin | Hammer Hill Road SG | 2,200 |
Southern District | Aberdeen SG | 4,000 |