Macao Successfully Hosts 15th National Games Torch Relay, Showcasing City Landmarks

Macao Ignites Spirit of 15th National Games with Torch Relay

Macao successfully held its leg of the 15th National Games torch relay on Sunday, November 2, 2025, marking a significant step in the lead-up to China's premier multi-sport event. The relay, which saw Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai light the inaugural torch, showcased the city's vibrant urban charm and commitment to the Games. This event was part of a historic simultaneous relay across Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, and Shenzhen, representing the first cross-boundary torch relay in the Games' history.

A Route Through Iconic Macao

The torch relay commenced at the Headquarters of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai igniting the flame and passing it to the first torchbearer, Li Yi. Li Yi is a distinguished athlete who secured a gold medal in women's changquan at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. The route spanned approximately 2.6 kilometers across the Macao Peninsula, guiding the flame past several renowned landmarks before concluding at the historic Ruins of St. Paul's, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. A total of 50 torchbearers, representing diverse sectors of Macao society, participated in the hour-long relay. The final torchbearer, Kuok Kin Hang, a bronze medalist in men's karate at the 14th National Games, lit the cauldron at the relay's culmination, symbolizing the transmission of the Games' spirit of unity and perseverance.

Macao's Role in the Historic 15th National Games

The 15th National Games are scheduled to take place from November 9 to 21, 2025. For the first time, the Games will be co-hosted by three distinct regions: Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong SAR, and the Macao SAR. This collaborative hosting arrangement underscores the integrated development of the Greater Bay Area. Macao is set to host several competitive sports events, including:

• Table tennis
• Women's volleyball (adult group)
• Three-person basketball
• U18 men's basketball
• Karate (mass events)

The Games are anticipated to be the largest in China's history, involving over 36,000 athletes, 45,000 volunteers, and 4,000 journalists, with competitions distributed across 19 cities. Following the individual relays, the flames from the four cities were merged in Guangzhou at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Centre, where the unified flame will light the main cauldron for the opening ceremony.