The “2026 World Match Racing Tour – Macau Match Cup” sailing competition, which is being held over five consecutive days starting today, taking place in the coastal waters between Governador Nobre de Carvalho Bridge (commonly known as “old bridge”) and Sai Van Bridge, Vong Ka Kun, head of the Sport Bureau’s (ID) Macau Grand Prix and Major Sports Events Department, announced during a press conference yesterday.
The press conference about the world sailing tour was held at the International Yacht Club in Taipa.
The Macau Match Cup, as the opening event of the “2026 World Match Racing Tour season”, is a world championship-tier world sailing special event; over 70 of the world’s top ranked professional sailing racing teams will compete on the tour this year, while 12 international teams are competing in Macau this week, including France, New Zealand and Sweden, according to the press conference.
Vong said that the event aims to attract strong attention from sailing enthusiasts around the world, further demonstrating the synergistic impact of major sporting events, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Macau and the international sports community.
Ursa Major Sailing Event Management Chairman Ma Man Wai told reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s press conference that this year marks the second edition of the Macau event, which serves as the opening leg of the annual touring circuit, adding that the competition will ultimately crown the season’s overall champion – a title equivalent to a world championship level.
Due to land reclamation works and following recommendations from the Maritime and Water Bureau (DSAMA), the course has been moved to waters between Governador Nobre de Carvalho Bridge and Sai Van Bridge this year, and the new venue offers greater safety and better viewing conditions, and competitors have expressed satisfaction with both locations, Ma said.
Macau is endowed with abundant coastal waters, making it well-suited for inshore match racing*, providing excellent racecourse conditions and allowing the public to enjoy the action from close range, Ma added.
Ma noted that compared with previous sailing events, this year’s races are more exciting and fiercely contested, with the aim of drawing public attention to sailing and encouraging greater participation in the sport.
During the event, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the races from shoreline viewing areas, while the races will also be broadcast live online, on the “Macao Major Sporting Events” YouTube channel and Facebook page, the event’s official website www.macaomatchcup.com, and the World Match Racing Tour YouTube channel.
* Inshore match racing is a form of competitive yacht racing in which two boats compete head-to-head on a short course close to shore. – Poe
Vong Ka Kun, head of the Sport Bureau’s (ID) Macau Grand Prix and Major Sports Events Department ( third from right), Ursa Major Sailing Event Management Chairman Ma Man Wai (third from left) and other representatives pose for a group photo during yesterday’ press conference about “2026 World Match Racing Tour – Macau Match Cup” sailing competing, at the pier of the International Yacht Club Hotel in Taipa. – Photos: Ida Cheong
Two sailing boats for the 2026 World Match Racing Tour – Macau Match Cup are moored at the pier of the International Yacht Club in Taipa.
