Nearly 100 Young Lions Graduate Showcasing the Next Generation’s Spirit and Energy
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.
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
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.
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About MGM
MGM is an abbreviation for MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) and is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in Greater China. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai.
MGM MACAU is a Forbes Five-Star luxury integrated resort inspired by the arts with every element of the resort infused with creativity and style. MGM MACAU has approximately 600 guest rooms and suites and boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning European-inspired Grande Praça, housed under a soaring glass ceiling. The POLY MGM MUSEUM spanning almost 2,000 square meters, is constructed in accordance with Chinese national standards for the exhibition of Grade-One cultural relics. MGM MACAU’s world class facilities also include conference and event facilities, spa, and seven signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic craving. Our property is conveniently located on the Macau Peninsula and is directly connected to the luxury retail shopping complex, One Central.
Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, MGM COTAI offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings, food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience. MGM has joined hands with renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou to set up the “Macau 2049” residency in MGM Theater. The Spectacle at MGM COTAI becomes the record holder of the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof (self-supporting) on January 19, 2019, making it the first architectural and structural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Macau, China. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. MGM COTAI is the only mega complex and hotel in Macau to gain three-star certification in both Green Building Design and Operation Label, as well as the first hotel in the Greater Bay Area and second in Greater China to receive the certifications.
MGM China is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Park MGM. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Jessie Kuan
Executive Director of Public Relations
MGM
Tel: (853) 8806 3412
Email: jessiekuan@mgm.mo
Karen Lam
Assistant Director of Corporate Relations
MGM
Tel: (853) 8806 3421
Email: karenlam@mgm.mo
