Macao to Host Inaugural World Match Racing Tour Championship Stage in 2025

The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT), sailing's longest-running global professional series and a World Sailing special event, has announced a new championship stage for its 2025 season, to be held in Macao, Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. The MACAO Match Cup will kick off the season from 8-12 January 2025, marking a significant expansion of the Tour's presence in Asia.

The new event, titled the 2025 MGM Macao International Regatta – MACAO Match Cup, is a collaborative effort between the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, MGM, and Ursa Major Sailing Event Management. The match racing competition will be held over five days alongside the 2025 MGM Macao International Regatta, an annual event that has attracted over 300 competitors since its inception in 2019.

"We are absolutely delighted to welcome the MACAO Match Cup to the World Match Racing Tour," commented WMRT Executive Director James Pleasance. "This will be our second championship stage event in the Asia and China region, following the WMRT Final in Shenzhen in December. It marks another pivotal milestone in our commitment to growing the Tour and further establishing match racing globally."

"Hosting the World Match Racing Tour – MACAO Match Cup once again showcases Macao's capability to stage major international competitions," added Luís Gomes, Acting President of the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government. "This event strengthens the synergy between sporting events and other industries, and we eagerly anticipate welcoming teams from across the globe to experience the sporting culture and vibrancy of our city."

Teams will compete for the MACAO Match Cup in brand-new Far East 28R match racing edition boats, vying for a total prize purse of USD100,000.

The competition will take place in the waters outside Fishermen's Wharf and Macao's Outer Harbour, between Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge and Friendship Bridge. This prime location allows spectators to easily watch the races from the shoreline. January is typically the driest month in Macao, offering favourable conditions with daytime temperatures around 20°C (68°F) and winds ranging from 6-15 knots.

Macao, located just 62 km from Hong Kong, possesses unique coastal resources and a strategic location, making it ideal for hosting international sailing regattas. The city, renowned as a 'World Tourism and Leisure Centre', has established itself as a leading destination for sports tourism. Macao comprises a peninsula (Macao) and two islands (Taipa and Coloane), which have been connected through land reclamation projects, including the Cotai Strip.

Macao has a rich history of hosting international sporting events, including the Macao Grand Prix, ITTF Men's and Women's World Cup, Women's Volleyball Nations League, WTT Champions, International Golf Series, Dragon Boat Races, and the Macao Olympic Complex and East Asian Games Dome, which hosted the East Asian Games.

About the World Match Racing Tour

Founded in 2000, the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) is dedicated to promoting the sport of match racing worldwide. It is the longest-running global professional series in sailing. Awarded 'Special Event' status by World Sailing, the sport's global governing body, the WMRT annually crowns the World Sailing Match Racing World Champion. Since its inception, the World Match Racing Tour and its events have distributed over USD24 million in prize money to sailors, supporting the career pathways of numerous professional sailors.

For more information, visit www.wmrt.com.