Macau’s six concessionaires have committed to sponsor this year’s 70th Macau Grand Prix, set to take place from 16 to 19 November 2023, for a combined MOP$120 million (US$15 million).
Director of the Sports Bureau of Macao, Pun Weng Kun, together with representatives of the six concessionaires, attended a press conference on Wednesday where it was confirmed that each concessionaire would sponsor the event for MOP$20 million (US$2.5 million).
“The government hopes that the resources and strengths of the concessionaires will bring different elements to this year’s Grand Prix and use the sports event as a platform to work with the industry to develop a sports tourism program that attracts international tourists,” Pun said.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Macau Grand Prix, which will take place across two consecutive weekends with a total of six days of racing and 11 races. The first week of racing, on 11 and 12 November, will feature five races: the Asian Formula 4, the Greater Bay Area GT Cup, the TCR Asia Challenge, the Roadsport Challenge and one unannounced race.
The second week, running from 16 to 19 November, will feature six races: the FIA Formula 3 World Cup, FIA GT World Cup, TCR World Tour Finale, Motorcycle Grand Prix, Macau Touring Car Cup and the 70th Anniversary Challenge.
The sponsorship commitment of Macau’s concessionaires this year represents a significant increase on 2022, when Sands China, Galaxy Entertainment Group and Wynn Macau sponsored for MOP$6.5 million (US$806,000) each and MGM China, Melco Resorts and SJM Resorts sponsored for MOP$3 million (US$372,000) each.
Supporting Macau’s cultural and sporting elements is a key requirement of the new gaming concessions signed by the concessionaires in December.