• “The 11th International Lion Dance Championship 2024 – MGM Cup” took place in early October.
• The event saw 21 Southern Lion Dance teams from 13 countries and regions take part.

The 11th International Lion Dance Championship 2024 – MGM Cup took place in early October, attracting 21 Southern Lion Dance teams from 13 countries and regions to present an exceptional world-class sporting spectacle at the UNESCO-listed A-Ma Temple forecourt, Barra Square.

Over two days, the competition crowned champions in four major categories: “Freestyle Lion Dance Championship”, “Women’s Traditional Lion Dance Championship”, “Youth Traditional Lion Dance Championship” and “Junior Traditional Lion Dance Championship”. MGM broadcast the entire event via its official Facebook page, the Facebook page and YouTube channel of long-shi.com, as well as on 15 streaming platforms, attracting nearly 3 million viewers both online and offline.

This year, the competition once again combined the culture of Lingnan lion dancing with the historic site of A-Ma Temple, with MGM organizing a series of lion dance-related activities in the area. These included performances by Foshan’s renowned “Big Head Buddha” troupe and local stilt-walkers, as well as lion dance-themed workshops. The two-day event attracted around 60,000 visits on-site.

Pansy Ho, Chairperson and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, noted that since its inception 14 years ago, the Championship has grown into one of the top three Southern Lion Dance competitions worldwide and remains the only one featuring a female lion dance category. This year’s event attracted participants from 13 countries and regions, with a notable increase in youth and female teams, showcasing the cross-cultural and intergenerational appeal of lion dance.

Ms Ho emphasized that the event reflects the structured growth of Lingnan lion dance among Macau’s younger generation and MGM’s consistent promotion efforts. By integrating traditional artistry into the community, the Championship provides residents and tourists with a blend of Chinese and Western cultures, reinforcing Macau’s role as a gateway for traditional Chinese culture on the global stage.