MGM announced today to kick off “The 12^th MGM Junior Lion Dance Summer Class” in collaboration with its long-standing partner, the Wushu General Association of Macau, continuing its commitment to the systematic inheritance and talent development of Lingnan Lion Dance. The program provides structured introductory training for children aged 5 to 8, serving as an important starting point for engaging in Lingnan Lion Dance. As the Lion Dance heritage initiative enters a new phase in 2026, the program has also been incorporated into an upgraded development framework, further promoting lion dance from a festive cultural expression into a “citywide sport.”

As a cross-regional cultural language of the Chinese community, lion dance has long been rooted in the Chinese traditions, carrying blessings and cultural symbolism during festivals, business openings, and significant occasions. MGM has consistently positioned itself as a platform for folk culture, leveraging sustained investment to connect professional systems with community resources, and advancing lion dance from a traditional performance into a cultural and sporting activity with broader social participation value. Since 2010, MGM has established a strong partnership with the Wushu General Association of Macau, working together to promote the development of Lingnan Lion Dance. In the same year, MGM successfully broke the world record and created the world’s largest dancing lion, enhancing Macau’s international standing in the lion dance stage. The Association has played a key role in organizing, providing standards and professional competitive frameworks for the “MGM International Lion Dance Championship”, ensuring international-level quality. At the same time, it has introduced Women’s Traditional Lion Dance Competition, breaking the historically male-dominated participation model and fostering a more inclusive development approach.

With further upgrades to the initiative in 2026, the collaboration between the two entities will expand beyond competitions to encompass talent development systems and community-wide engagement, moving toward a more comprehensive cultural development model. By integrating the Association’s expertise in professional systems, standards, and network coordination with MGM’s strengths in resource integration, urban platforms, and international network, the initiative will gradually establish a complete development pathway encompassing “Junior Lion Dance Training – Youth Advancement – Professional Development – Citywide Sport”, driving Lingnan Lion Dance toward a more systematic and sustainable cultural model.

This year’s program is jointly organized by MGM and the Wushu General Association of Macau, with strong support from the Macao SAR Government’s Education and Youth Development Bureau, Cultural Affairs Bureau, and Macao Government Tourism Office. The program continues to adopt an interest-based teaching philosophy, emphasizing fun and interactive learning. It allows children to experience lion dance in a relaxed environment while developing basic techniques, rhythm, and teamwork. Throughout the process, participants also build confidence, cooperation skills, and a sense of cultural identity. Since its launch in 2015, the “MGM Junior Lion Dance Summer Class” has trained more than 740 participants and reached approximately 70% of local schools in Macau, gradually building a sustainable talent pipeline for lion dance. MGM firmly believes that true heritage is not merely about preserving skills, but about integrating culture into daily life and making it part of the younger generation’s growth.

“The 12^th MGM Junior Lion Dance Summer Class” will accept application from May 21 to June 4. Classes will run from July 15 to August 28 at the Barra District. This program targets 175 admissions; if applications exceed this number, participants will be selected by a computer-generated draw. MGM will notify successful applicants via email on June 9. For more details, please visit MGM’s official website, call (853) 8802 3833, or email liondance@mgm.mo.

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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:    

Serena Chin                        

Director of Corporate Communications

MGM  

Tel: (853) 8806 3412

Email: serenachin@mgm.mo

Karen Lam

Assistant Director of Corporate Relations

MGM

Tel: (853) 8806 3421

Email: karenlam@mgm.mo