The 12th International Lion Dance Championship 2025 – MGM Cup to Roar into Action This October at Macau’s Barra Square

MGM announces “The 12th International Lion Dance Championship 2025 – MGM Cup” will be held on October 4 and 5 at Barra Square of A-ma Temple.

Staying true to its commitment to innovating while preserving Chinese cultural heritage, MGM has hosted the annual “International Lion Dance Championship” since 2010. Over the years, the event has evolved from a single competition into a series that encompasses culture, sports, and tourism. It now includes women’s, children’s, and youth divisions, as well as interactive lion dance showcases and cultural exchange activities, fostering a deeper connection with the younger generation.

Guests of honor presented graduation certificates to the young lion dance masters.

To continue promoting the rejuvenation, popularization, and internationalization of lion dance, MGM held a press conference today (August 26) for the “12th International Lion Dance Championship 2025 – MGM Cup” and the graduation ceremony for the “11th MGM Junior Lion Dance Summer Class 2025” at the MGM MACAU Grand Ballroom. Nearly 100 young lions celebrated their two months of hard training with certificates and a lively lion dance performance.

Kenneth Feng, President and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, remarked, “Over the past 15 years, MGM’s Lion Dance IP has continued to innovate and grow. The “International Lion Dance Championship” has gradually developed into a signature cultural and sports tourism IP that integrates sports, culture, and lion dance artistry, connecting the world through lion dance. At its core, this initiative is rooted in heritage. Beyond cultivating young lion dance master, MGM is committed to making the lion dance artistry accessible to people of all ages and genders, ensuring its legacy is passed down through generations.”

Global Stage: Lion Dance Connects the World
The centerpiece of the series, the “International Lion Dance Championship 2025 – MGM Cup”, will take place on October 4 and 5 at the Barra Square, featuring 22 teams from 14 countries and regions, with a total of 247 athletes, more than 60% from overseas including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Japan, Australia, Italy, and for the first time, Brunei, highlighting the championship’s significant international reach and influence.

As one of the world’s top three Southern Lion Dance competitions, this year’s youth participation has increased by more than 14% to a record high. Additionally, all overseas teams will feature female athletes, a testament to the event’s success in inspiring a new generation of dancers. Barra Square, serving as the venue for the third consecutive year, not only brings this vibrant tradition into the community but also leverages its UNESCO status to attract a wider international audience, expanding the reach of this traditional art form.

Lion Art and Friendship: A Cross-Cultural Showcase of China, Japan, and Korea

The young lion masters delivered an energetic performance, showcasing what they have learnt from the seven-week training.

In alignment with the “Culture City of East Asia 2025 – Macao, China” initiative, this year’s “Lion Dance Festival” will unite lion dance traditions from China, Japan, and Korea for the first time. The series will kick off with a special exhibition from September 27 to October 12 Navy Yard No.2 in the Barra District. Lion dance troupes from Huzhou (China), Kamakura (Japan), and Anseong (Korea) will join community performances and cultural exchanges in Macau, fostering cross-border appreciation and dialogue. These activities, combined with the championship, create a “tourism + sports + culture” experience that deepens the public’s enthusiasm for lion dance.

Nurturing Young Lions: Passing On the Tradition

MGM remains committed to cultivating young talent and strengthening the foundation of lion dance heritage. This year’s “11th MGM Junior Lion Dance Summer Class 2025” saw record-breaking enrollment – six times the original quota – with students from over 70% of Macau’s schools. Since 2015, MGM has trained over 740 young lion dancers. Graduates who pass assessments can advance to the “MGM Lion Dance Training Program” for further professional development, ensuring the continuation of this important cultural legacy.