The “13th International Lion Dance Championship 2026 – MGM Cup” will return to Largo do Pagode da Barra on October 10 and 11, featuring a record 25 lion dance teams and more than 280 athletes from 14 countries and regions, making it the largest edition in the event’s history, according to a press conference at MGM COTAI yesterday.
The championship will feature 36 matches across youth, junior and adult divisions, with Canada making its debut alongside teams from Singapore, Malaysia and other countries and regions. The growing participation also highlights the development of lion dance among young people in Macau through school outreach, training and international competition.
Addressing the press conference, MGM China Holdings Limited CEO and Executive Director Kenneth Feng Xiaofeng noted that the championship has evolved beyond a sporting competition into a platform combining culture, education, community engagement and tourism, adding that MGM would continue promoting lion dance culture, broadening participation and fostering international exchange.
Speaking to the media, Catarina Lio (廖頴琦), senior vice president of Brand Marketing at MGM, underlined the record scale and broader cultural focus of this year’s championship, which will feature 36 competitions over two days and teams from more overseas countries and associations.
Lio also highlighted the participation of more than 12 local teams across different age groups, describing the rising number of children and teenagers competing in the championship as “a very good sign”.
Catarina Lio (廖頴琦), senior vice president of Brand Marketing at MGM, speaks to the media after yesterday’s presser in Cotai. – Photos: Khalel Vallo
Lion dancers perform during the “13th International Lion Dance Championship 2026 – MGM Cup” press conference at MGM COTAI yesterday.
