bc magazine

The Law Protecting Fair Trials: An Obituary by Tim Hamlett

Readers may be fed up with me complaining about the erosion of the laws restricting the reporting of upcoming court cases. Well, some good news. The erosion has now reached the stage where there is nothing left. I shall not need to return to this topic again.

The law involved is rather unhelpfully labelled “strict liability contempt of court”. The “contempt of court” part means that your conduct is deemed to disturb the administration of justice. The “strict liability” bit indicates that the prosecution does not have to prove that you meant it, only that your publication could have affected the subsequent trial. Its purpose is to ensure that trials are fair….

Read Tim Hamlett’s full article here

Women’s Rugby World Cup – bcene: Japan v Spain @ York, 7 September, 2025

Japanese and Spanish fans arrived in York hoping to see their team win their first World Cup Game.

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Photos: copyright Simon Durrant/bcmagazine

Happy Birthday bc

Happy Birthday to us!

Thirty-one, yes 31, years ago today, bc magazine debuted on the streets of Hong Kong.

Much has changed over the last 30+ years, especially since Covid… Lan Kwai Fong and Wanchai are now (sadly) unrecognisable from the vibrant social melting pots of years past.

What does the future hold? It seems unlikely the “work hard, party harder” culture will return. And that feels sad, maybe something new will replace it but ‘connecting’ via social media is vastly different than meeting in person… And yes the world has moved online, but personal connections are still where it matters.

A lot of people – staff, friends, advertisers and readers have been involved over the years, thank you for your continued support and strength.

Carpe Diem!

Hong Kong v Bangladesh

Hong Kong v Bangladesh – AFC Asian Cup
Date: 8pm, 14 October, 2025
Venue: Kai Tak Stadium
Tickets: tbc

Women’s World Cup Kicks Off With Red Roses Win

Over 42,000 crowded into the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on 22 August to watch England’s Red Roses in the opening game of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

The tournament hosts savouring the noisy home atmosphere rewarded the crowd – a record for a Women’s World Cup game – with some exciting attacking rugby in a 69-7 win against a United States team determined not to let the occasion overwhelm them.

That Sunderland, a northern city that lives for its football team, not only embraced the tournament but enjoyed the match shows how far women’s rugby has come even in the three years since New Zealand 2022.

Watch the highlights here

Photos: copyright Simon Durrant/bc magazine

Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 Ticketing

World Rugby have announced the ticketing process for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Fans will have two initial opportunities to secure their place at the tournament’s 11th edition, with the first tickets going on sale next year following the release of the much-anticipated match schedule in January 2026.

Tickets will be released in phases, starting in February 2026 for fans who register before the end of January 2026. Additional tickets will be available in May 2026. All matches and all price categories will be available during this presale.

In May 2026, a three-week general application phase will open to all supporters worldwide, offering the chance to request tickets for any match with a ballot system implemented for oversubscribed price categories to ensure fairness, confirmed World Rugby.

Superfan Pass
For the most passionate fan, Rugby World Cup 2027 is introducing the Superfan Pass, providing guaranteed access to purchase tickets. Superfan Passes will go on-sale on 5 August at 14:00 AEST.

The Superfan Pass option gives fans guaranteed access to tickets for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, including the opening match and the final. By purchasing a Superfan Pass you’ll be invited to buy tickets in February 2026 before anyone else.

How many tickets can I buy with Superfan Pass?
Each Superfan Pass holder can purchase up to four tickets per match, and up to 52 tickets across the tournament.

Wheelchair Superfan Pass holders can access a wheelchair ticket with a free companion, along with three more tickets, up to 52 tickets (not including the companion ticket) for any RWC 2027 matches.

How much does a Superfan Pass cost?
Superfan Passes cost AUD$750 and are limited to one per person. They can’t be transferred or resold. Superfan Passes on sale at 14:00 (AEST)

Match tickets are not included in the price of a Superfan Pass and must be purchased separately during the exclusive Superfan Pass sale in February 2026.

Ticketing Timeline

29 July, 2025 – Fans can register to access the presale (until the end of January 2026)
30 July, 2025 – RWC Experiences on sale for eight matches
5 August, 2025 – Superfan Passes on sale at 14:00 (AEST)

2026

January 2026 RWC 2027 Ticket-inclusive travel packages available.
February 2026 presale for fans who registered before the end of January 2026.
May 2026 Application Phase ticket.
July 2026 Premium Experience packages for selected matches on sale.

Additional reporting and images: World Rugby

T10 Wipha in Mongkok

Normally, typhoons announce themselves in Hong Kong with heavy rain… Wipha arrived, almost exactly as the HK Observatory Storm Track predicted, but with barely a splash of liquid sunshine.

And even after the T10 signal was hoisted, Mongkok was breezy but dry until late afternoon when the walls of rain arrived and I retreated indoors for warm, tasty lai cha (HK-style milk tea).

Gotta keep my hair tidy even in a typhoon

Chapeau to all the restaurant and MTR staff who stayed open to feed and transport workers and tourists alike, offering shelter from the elements.

Ryan Choi Chun-yin Wins Foil Gold

Ryan Choi Chun-yin won the foil gold medal at the Asian Fencing Championships in Bali, dominating China’s Mo Ziwei 15-6 in the men’s final.

The 27-year-old entered the tournament in fine form, and went undefeated in pool play before beating China’s Xu Jie in the semifinals and teammate Lawrence Ng Lok-wang in the quarterfinals.

Kaylin Hsieh Sin-yan Wins Epee Bronze
World No. 7 Kaylin Hsieh Sin-yan won bronze falling 15-11 to China’s Yang Jingwen in the semifinals.