A football-themed exhibition showcasing historic memorabilia, trophies and tributes to some of the sport’s greatest figures opened at the Lisboeta Macau integrated resort in Cotai on Wednesday, offering visitors a free immersive experience during the 2026 FIFA World Cup which kicked off on Thursday, ending on July 19.
The “Classic Revival: World Football History Exhibition” opened at the H853 Fun Factory of Lisboeta Macau and will run until July 19 as well. Hosted by MacauSLOT with support from Lisboeta Macau, the exhibition aims to celebrate the history and cultural legacy of world football as excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The exhibition is divided into six themed zones designed to highlight key moments in football history while offering interactive experiences for visitors. Among the highlights is the “World Football History Area”, featuring 70 collections of trophies, jerseys and memorabilia spanning from 1930 to the present day.
Meanwhile, a dedicated screening area pays tribute to the late Brazilian football icon Edson Arantes do Nascimento (1940-2022), known internationally as Pelé, while the “Pelé Jersey Corridor” displays 14 autographed jerseys associated with the three-time World Cup winner.
Moreover, visitors can also admire championship trophies in the “World Champion Trophies Display Area” and explore photo spots featuring football-themed installations, including a wall displaying footballs from past tournaments. Guests who share photographs taken at the exhibition on social media will have the opportunity to win prizes including electronics, hotel accommodation and exclusive MacauSLOT collectibles, according to a statement by Lisboeta last week.
MacauSLOT Chief Executive Officer Stephen Ho (何展鵬) said in a speech at the opening ceremony that the exhibition serves not only as a celebration of football history but also as a platform promoting the integration of tourism, culture and sports in Macau.
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Ho said that preparations for the exhibition were completed in just over a month, with the collection assembled and transported by professional handlers, adding that the exhibition was designed to be more than a display of memorabilia, combining sports, culture and tourism elements to create a broader visitor experience.
He expressed hope that the exhibition would help build excitement during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite time-zone differences that may affect local viewing habits. “For a real football fan, it is hard to measure the enthusiasm of a World Cup that is held once every four years”, Ho said, adding that the tournament remains one of the most anticipated sporting events globally.
He also highlighted the rarity of some exhibits, noting that two championship trophies on display are being exhibited in Asia for the first time. “It is a rare opportunity for us to have such close contact with these historical objects, stories and feelings”, he said, adding that MacauSLOT would continue supporting sports-related initiatives in Macau, including football and basketball events, as part of its long-term commitment to promoting sports development in the community.
Running daily from noon to 9:00 p.m. with free admission, the exhibition seeks to bring football fans closer to the sport’s rich heritage while contributing to Macau’s development as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure through tourism and sports-related events, the statement noted.
Photos: Khalel Vallo
