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UFC returns to Macau in May, fight card yet to be revealed

Kelsey Wilhelm
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UFC returns to Macau in May, fight card yet to be revealed

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is returning to Macau at the end of May, hosted at Galaxy Arena.

The three-day event kicks off on May 28th, with the opening rounds of ‘Road to UFC’ Season 5 taking place on the 28th and 29th, followed by UFC FIGHT NIGHT on May 30th.

The event marks the UFC’s fifth return to the SAR.

It will be hosted by Galaxy Macau, following a multi-event partnership between the gaming operator and UFC to host three Fight Night events in the 2026-2029 period.

UFC
UFC FIGHT NIGHT
UFC
Petr Yan vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

While the UFC has not yet announced which fights will be on the card for the May showdown, the event comes after a sold-out Yan vs. Figueiredo card on November 23rd of 2024 which saw the 12,000-seat arena filled to watch the Bantamweight bout. The main fight was preempted by the Women’s Strawweight bout between Yan Xiaonan and Tabatha Ricci and featured ‘Performance of the Night’ fights including Song Kenan vs. Muslim Salikhov and Wang Cong vs. Gabriella Fernandes.

UFC-Macau

In September of last year, UFC and Galaxy Entertainment announced their event partnership, with the events being held exclusively at Galaxy Arena. At the time, the UFC announced that the opening round of Season 5 of ROAD TO UFC would be held in Macau. The tournament offers Asia-Pacific’s top mixed martial arts (MMA) prospects ‘a direct path to a UFC contract’.

Dana White, UFC President and CEO previously remarked of the partnership that it “couldn’t come at a better time. It’s great for fight fans in China and massive for the sport.”

Kevin Kelley, COO of Galaxy Entertainment Group noted that “This partnership reflects our ongoing support for the Macau SAR Government’s vision to integrate tourism and sports.”

Macau’s GDP hit $51.5B in 2025, with 4Q25 reaching $14.24B

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Macau’s GDP hit $51.5B in 2025, with 4Q25 reaching $14.24B

Macau’s Gross Domestic Product saw ‘steady progress’ in the fourth quarter of 2025, rising by 7.6 percent yearly to MOP115.39 billion ($14.24 billion).

According to preliminary figures from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), the overall economic output in the quarter amounted to 94.1 percent of that recorded in the same period in 2019.

A 15.4 percent increase in visitor arrivals helped boost the total export of services by 9.8 percent yearly in 4Q25. The DSEC also highlighted that the visitor increase was boosted by ‘numerous large-scale events’ and ‘government efforts to attract visitors’.

Domestic demand was lifted by a 1.1 percent increase in private consumption expenditure and a 1.3 percent increase in government consumption expenditure, whereas gross fixed capital formation saw a 0.9 percent yearly rise.

Looking at FY25, the preliminary GDP figure was up by 4.7 percent yearly, to MOP417.28 billion ($51.5 billion). The figure amounts to 89.6 percent of that registered in 2019, indicating that while tourist numbers hit a record during the year, topping 40 million, the city has not yet to reach the economic peak it saw before the pandemic.

Macau hotel occupancy rate hits 89.4% for FY25, with 14.56M guests

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Macau hotel occupancy rate hits 89.4% for FY25, with 14.56M guests

Macau hotels saw a 3.1-percentage point increase in the average occupancy rate in 2025, reaching 89.4 percent.

According to the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), there was a 1 percent increase in the number of hotel guests, at 14.56 million. The customers filled up Macau’s 45,000 available guest rooms, whose number increased by 4.9 percent yearly.

Five-star hotels led with the highest occupancy rate of 92.9 percent in FY25, while 4-star hotels saw 83.8 percent occupancy and 3-star hotels garnered 85 percent occupancy – growth of 4.4, 1.8 and 1.2 percentage points year-on-year, respectively.

Guests from mainland China comprised the majority, with a yearly increase of 1.4 percent, to 10.73 million. International guests saw a strong increase, likely boosted by operators’ and the government’s attempts to attract more foreign visitors.

International hotel guest numbers rose by 11.8 percent yearly, to nearly 1.24 million – visitor numbers from Korea increased by 9.3 percent (350,000), those from Japan rose by 25.5 percent (102,000), from Malaysia by 6.5 percent (93,000) and from Thailand by 33.4 percent (88,000). Hotel guest numbers from Hong Kong fell by 4.1 percent yearly, to 1.77 million.

The average length of stay of guests stayed the same, at 1.7 nights.

Hotels saw a strong end to the year, with the December occupancy rate hitting 90.4 percent, up by 1.2 percentage points yearly. The overall number of guests in the month amounted to over 1.25 million, an increase of 5.8 percent, with the average length of stay extending by 0.1 night to 1.7 nights.

As at the end of 2025, there were 174 hotel establishments offering accommodation services to the public in Macau, a yearly increase of one.

Face to Face: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley – jurisdiction aiming for top-tier status

AGBrief Editorial
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Face to Face: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley – jurisdiction aiming for top-tier status

Nevis Premier Mark Brantley tells AGB’s Frank Schuengel that the jurisdiction is aiming for top-tier status, with its newly-launched online gaming framework serving as a long-term economic diversification strategy.

The official highlights how a strong focus is being taken on compliance, leveraging its experience as an international financial services industry for more than four decades, with the same regulatory principles applied to banking, trusts and international companies now being extended to online gaming.

The premier notes that Nevis intends to become a major jurisdiction by attracting the right partners and building regulatory and operational capacity in a measured way, noting that “only reputable entities need apply”.

Read more.

Macau International Airport rolls out hotel-based “Check’ N Fly” baggage service

Viviana Chan
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Macau International Airport rolls out hotel-based “Check’ N Fly” baggage service

The Macau International Airport (MIA) has launched a new hotel-based baggage check-in service to enhance travel convenience.

The new service, branded “Check’ N Fly Service”, officially commenced operations on January 26th, 2026. It allows passengers to complete flight check-in and baggage drop-off directly at designated partner hotels, with checked luggage transported to the airport and delivered to the passenger’s final destination. The initiative is designed to reduce the burden of carrying luggage between hotels, tourist attractions and the airport, offering a more seamless and relaxed travel experience.

In its initial phase, the service is available at the Holiday Inn Express Macau City Center and Crowne Plaza Macau, following coordination with relevant airport entities. It currently applies to flights operated by Air Macau, with the MIA noting that additional airline and hotel partnerships will be introduced progressively.

Macau Airport, Air Macau

Operating daily from 8:15am to 5:50pm, the service is supported by ground staff stationed at hotel-based self check-in kiosks. Staff assist passengers with check-in procedures, including luggage weighing and the printing of boarding passes and baggage tags. Once accepted, baggage is securely stored and transferred to the airport for security screening. Luggage that clears security is sent directly onward, while passengers will be contacted if further inspection is required upon arrival at the airport.

To mark the launch, the MIA is offering a promotional rate of MOP40 ($5.10) per piece of luggage from January to March 2026. After the promotional period, the standard fee will be MOP70 ($9) per piece.

The airport said clear cut-off times have been established to ensure smooth coordination with flight schedules, with passengers required to complete check-in within the designated time slots.

CreditSights ‘constructive’ on Sands China as market share gains support 2026 outlook 

Viviana Chan
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CreditSights ‘constructive’ on Sands China as market share gains support 2026 outlook 

CreditSights remains ‘constructive’ on Sands China’s operational outlook in 2026, citing expectations that the operator’s customer reinvestment initiatives will continue to lift market share, supporting revenue and EBITDA growth despite ongoing margin pressures in Macau.

The assessment follows a review of Sands China’s 4Q25 performance and management guidance, with analysts maintaining a ‘market perform’ view on the company’s US dollar bonds.

CreditSights is a financial research unit within the Fitch Group.

In a research note published on Friday, CreditSights said Sands China’s reinvestment program, implemented in April 2025, has begun to deliver market share gains. The brokerage estimates Sands China’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) market share rose to about 23.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from roughly 22.8 percent a year earlier.

Analysts expect this momentum to carry into 2026, helping to drive a mid-single-digit year-on-year increase in topline revenue, assuming modest growth in Macau’s overall gaming market.

’We remain constructive on Sands China’s operational outlook in 2026 as its customer reinvestment initiatives are expected to continue improving its market share, which should drive revenue and EBITDA growth,’ CreditSights indicated in the report.

The positive outlook on volumes comes despite weaker margins in late 2025. Sands China reported a 16 percent year-on-year increase in total net revenues in 4Q25, while adjusted property EBITDA rose 6 percent, largely driven by continued recovery at The Londoner Macao following the completion of its renovation earlier in the year. 

However, EBITDA margins declined to 29.5 percent, reflecting higher operating expenses and an unfavorable shift in customer and segment mix toward lower-margin premium mass and VIP play.

For 2026, CreditSights expects these margin headwinds to persist. While revenue is forecast to grow at a mid-single-digit pace, EBITDA growth is projected to be limited to low single digits as margins trend slightly lower. Analysts pointed to continued growth in premium mass and VIP segments, along with a competitive promotional environment, as factors likely to constrain profitability.

Management has indicated that promotional intensity is stabilizing, but CreditSights noted that Sands China may still need to accelerate offers to defend and expand its customer base, particularly in the premium segment that has been driving Macau’s overall GGR growth. The brokerage added that management appears more focused on absolute EBITDA generation than on near-term margin expansion.

From a balance sheet perspective, CreditSights noted modest improvements in leverage metrics during 4Q25 and expects incremental EBITDA gains and lower capital expenditure guidance to support further, albeit marginal, improvement in 2026. Sands China has no US dollar bond maturities due this year, with its next maturity in 2027, which CreditSights views as supportive of its credit profile.

Lim Kok Thay appointed chairman and director of Resorts World Sentosa

Viviana Chan
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Lim Kok Thay appointed chairman and director of Resorts World Sentosa

Genting Singapore has appointed its acting Chief Executive Officer, Lim Kok Thay, as Chairman and Director of Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), placing the veteran gaming executive at the helm of the integrated resort’s board.

The appointment was announced on Friday and took effect on Sunday, February 1st. Lim, 74, assumes the role after it was left vacant following the retirement of former Chairman and CEO Tan Hee Teck, which was announced in May last year.

In its disclosure, Genting Singapore said that as Chairman and Director of RWS, Lim will provide leadership to the RWS board and be responsible for its overall effectiveness. His duties include setting the resort’s strategic direction and overseeing governance matters, while ensuring the board discharges its responsibilities effectively.

Waterfront lifestyle development, Resorts World Sentosa, Genting Singapore
Waterfront lifestyle development concept, Resorts World Sentosa

The company emphasized that the day-to-day management of the integrated resort remains with the executive team, under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Lee Shi Ruh, who assumed the role in June last year. This delineation maintains a separation between board-level oversight and operational management.

Lim is the son of Genting founder Lim Goh Tong and has been with the group for decades. He joined the Genting Group in 1976 and currently serves as its Executive Chairman. In addition to his new role at RWS, he is also Executive Chairman of Genting Singapore and Genting Bhd, as well as Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of Genting Malaysia.

The appointment consolidates Lim’s leadership across the Genting group’s key gaming and hospitality assets, with RWS being one of Singapore’s two integrated resorts and a central pillar of the group’s international portfolio.

Macau January GGR totals $2.79B, up by 24% yearly

Viviana Chan
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Macau January GGR totals $2.79B, up by 24% yearly

Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) in January reached MOP22.63 billion ($2.79 billion), the highest January total since 2019, representing a robust 24 percent increase year-on-year.

January results marked a solid start to the year, with early market indicators pointing to continued growth that remains ahead of pre-pandemic seasonality. Momentum is expected to strengthen further as the Chinese New Year holiday approaches, which is widely anticipated to drive higher visitation as well as increased gaming and non-gaming spending.

UFC

On a month-on-month basis, January GGR rose 8.4 percent from December. The acceleration reflects stronger seasonality, as December is typically a festive period driven by public holidays such as Christmas.

In December alone, Macau recorded GGR of MOP20.89 billion ($2.61 billion), up 14.8 percent year-on-year. The result marked the strongest December performance since the COVID-19 pandemic, supported by robust holiday-driven demand.

For the full year of 2025, Macau’s GGR reached MOP247.40 billion ($30.9 billion), representing a 9.1 percent year-on-year increase.

This year, the Chinese New Year falls on February 17th, with the period from February 15th to 23rd widely viewed as the Chinese New Year Golden Week.

Regulating the Game Global Awards reveals finalists for the 2026 edition

AGBrief Editorial
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Regulating the Game Global Awards reveals finalists for the 2026 edition

Regulating the Game has announced the finalists for the inaugural Regulating the Game Global Awards after an exceptional level of interest, nominations, and engagement in the program’s first year.

The Global Awards were established to recognise regulatory and sector leadership, stewardship, and excellence across gambling policy and regulation, safer gambling, compliance, technology, and community outcomes – acknowledging the role these disciplines play in underpinning integrity, public confidence, and sustainable sector development.

The quality of submissions received in the inaugural year has confirmed a strong appetite for recognition that is rigorous, independent, and grounded in demonstrable, real-world impact.

Among the finalists confirmed this year are several individuals and organisations recognised for leadership and impact within their respective categories, including:
  • Dr Eugenia Chidhakwa (Lotteries and Gaming Board, Zimbabwe);
  • Rob Annable (Picklebet) and Duncan Garvie (BetBlocker) for community impact;
  • Dominic Monti (Wests Illawarra);
  • Nathan Hinde (PointsBet) and Sue Pemberton (Parramatta Leagues Club) for compliance excellence;
  • Michael Simone (Bankstown District Sports Club) and Vicki Le (Cabravale Club Resort) as emerging leaders;
  • Chris Dimou (Parramatta Leagues Club), Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) and Danny Munk (Wests Illawarra) for leadership voice;
  • CherryHub and KONAMI Australia recognised in the RegTech category;
  • Crown PlaySafe, Parq Casino, and The Star Entertainment Group for safer gambling Champion.

Finalists have now been confirmed across all six categories. The full list of finalists will be available on the Regulating the Game Global Awards website.

Regulating the Game Global Awards reveals finalists
Regulating the Game Global Awards reveals finalists
Regulating the Game Global Awards reveals finalists
Regulating the Game Global Awards reveals finalists
Regulating the Game Global Awards reveals finalists
Regulating the Game Global Awards reveals finalists

Finalists were shortlisted across six award categories following independent assessment by a judging panel comprising senior leaders with deep expertise spanning regulation, law, integrity, governance and responsible gambling:

  • Don Hammond, Chief Executive Officer, Leagues Clubs Australia;
  • Jamie Nettleton, Former President, International Masters of Gaming Law and Partner, Addisons;
  • Khalid Ali, Chief Executive Officer, International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA);
  • Tracy Parker, Senior Vice-President – Accreditation, Advisory and Insights, Responsible Gambling Council (Canada).

The composition of the panel reflects the cross-sector perspective required to assess excellence in a complex and increasingly scrutinised regulatory environment, bringing together domestic and international insight across public policy, legal frameworks, integrity assurance and harm prevention.

Paul Newson, Senet
Paul Newson

RTG Founder and Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, Paul Newson, said the inaugural Global Awards reflected a growing appetite for recognition grounded in substance and sector contribution: “The response to the first year of the Global Awards shows there is a clear place for recognition that goes beyond profile or promotion. These Awards are about surfacing leadership and stewardship – the people, organisations and solutions that are lifting standards, shaping practice and contributing to better sector and community outcomes. The independence and calibre of the judging panel have been central to that credibility.”

The RTG Global Awards Gala Dinner will be held as a flagship networking event within the Regulating the Game program. Tickets are available separately, enabling colleagues, finalist teams, and sector stakeholders who may not be attending the full conference to join the Awards evening.

Further information on conference registration and Global Awards Gala Dinner tickets is available via the Regulating the Game website.

Melco’s House of Dancing Water honored by MSAR government for exceptional tourism contributions

AGBrief Editorial
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Melco’s House of Dancing Water honored by MSAR government for exceptional tourism contributions

Melco Resorts & Entertainment has announced that its iconic production, The House of Dancing Water, has been awarded the Medal of Merit – Tourism at the 2025 Decorations, Medals and Certificates of Merit Awards Ceremony of the Macao SAR, recognizing its outstanding contributions to the city’s tourism development.

Since its debut in 2010, “House of Dancing Water” has established itself as Macau’s most iconic, once-in-a-lifetime aquatic spectacle and one of the world’s largest water-based shows. Since returning in May 2025, it has been reimagined with enhanced visual effects and state-of-the-art stage technology.

House of Dancing Water Premiere wins top honors at the 2025 TITAN Brand Awards
UFC

Featuring a cast and crew of nearly 300 professionals from over 30 countries and staged in a purpose-built theatre, the production unites international artistic talent while helping to nurture local technical capabilities in the performing arts.

To date, the show has attracted millions of international visitors, successfully showcasing Macau on the world stage, thus becoming a proud cultural tourism icon and a must-see spectacle that underscores the advancement of Macau’s diversified cultural tourism. 

Accepting the honor on behalf of the House of Dancing Water team, Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman and CEO of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, stated, “We are profoundly honored and extend our deepest gratitude to the Macao SAR Government for bestowing this prestigious Medal of Merit – Tourism upon the ‘House of Dancing Water’ team. This distinction represents a momentous recognition of our steadfast commitment to enriching Macau’s entertainment landscape and promoting the sustainable, long-term development of its tourism industry. The achievement belongs to the extraordinary cast and crew behind ‘House of Dancing Water’, whose unparalleled artistry, dedication, and passion have brought this production to life and sustained its global acclaim. Their collective brilliance remains the very soul of this work.

“Melco remains deeply invested in Macau’s future, striving to elevate its allure on the global stage and championing its growth as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.”

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