Crowd control measures were being put to the test on Saturday evening, as most of the 33,600-strong spectators made their way to and from Kai Tak Stadium through nearby MTR stations.
The 1½-hour show started at 6.30pm and an edited broadcast was set to begin three hours later on four television channels.
The performances featured martial artist Donnie Yen Ji-dan, Cantopop diva Joey Yung Cho-yee, gold medal fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai and table tennis champion Fan Zhendong, among others.
The government hopes its HK$30 billion (US$3.9 billion) investment to build the sports park will put the city on the map for mega-events and boost the economy.
Follow our live coverage of all the action inside and outside the stadium.
Reporting by Lo Hoi-ying, Harvey Kong, Alfred Lam, Denise Tsang, Fiona Sun and Jeffie Lam
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