• The 11th MGM Junior Lion Dance Summer Class 2025 kicked off the MGM Lion Dance Championship 2025 Annual Spectacle.
• The summer class saw a record response, with applications exceeding available spots sixfold.

The “MGM Lion Dance Championship 2025 Annual Spectacle” has officially launched in Macau, featuring a dynamic series of events until October aimed at promoting the popularization of lion dance and positioning Macau as a premier destination for cultural and sports tourism.

The program opened with the “11th MGM Junior Lion Dance Summer Class” which, for the first time, took place in the historic Barra District, giving 100 young participants aged between five and eight a chance to learn traditional lion dance techniques in a culturally rich environment.

The summer class saw a record response, with applications exceeding available spots sixfold and drawing students from nearly 70% of Macau’s schools. Notably, the number of female applicants tripled compared to last year, highlighting the growing recognition of lion dance as a competitive sport in the city.

Over seven weeks, participants will receive training in lion dance history, basic movements and the use of traditional props and instruments. Outstanding students will have the chance to join the “MGM Lion Dance Training Program”, paving the way for future competition.

The annual program will culminate in the ”12th International Lion Dance Championship – MGM Cup“ at Barra Square on 4 and 5 October, where elite teams from around the world will compete. The event coincides with the “Lion Dance Festival” and the “Culture City of East Asia 2025 – Macao, China” initiative, bringing East Asian lion dance traditions to the local community and visitors.

Supported by the Sports Bureau, Cultural Affairs Bureau and others, MGM’s ongoing commitment to nurturing Lingnan lion dance inheritors has, over the past decade, trained over 640 young dancers and reinforced the preservation of this intangible cultural heritage.