In 1996, the sports ground was used to help accommodate a queue of nearly 60,000 people seeking British Dependent Territories citizenship at Immigration Tower prior to the cut-off date of 30 March 1996 ahead of the handover.

However, the protest organiser, the Hong Kong People's Alliance on WTO, was unhappy with a previous proposed location for demonstrations, Southorn Playground, which is blocked by highrises from the venue of the conference, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

In the end, the number of protesters was smaller than expected and were sufficiently accommodated at the cargo handling basin.

[3] Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Phase III will be developed on land now occupied by the Wan Chai pier bus terminus and Wan Chai Sports Ground.

Although the existing sports facilities will be demolished, the Trade Development Council (TDC) plans to build new sports facilities on top of the HKCEC Phase III structure to serve the public interest.