"Watching tennis in Hengqin in the morning, crossing the border at Hengqin Port in the afternoon, and rushing to Macao to cheer for Sun Yingsha," said Ms. Chen, a resident of Wuhan, Hubei, in a media interview. She experienced two peak showdowns in tennis and table tennis in one day, all while enjoying Hengqin's cuisine and Macao's culture. Some shared their plans to watch events across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, while others raised questions about attending matches in Hong Kong and Macao. "Are there still tickets for table tennis matches? Any seats together?" "How to buy the Hong Kong limited-edition blind box of the National Games mascot?" "How long does it take to process a visa at the port's National Games service counter?" On social media, netizens from across the country exchanged tips for their upcoming trips to Hong Kong and Macao for the games.

From November 9 to 21, the 15th National Games (hereinafter referred to as the "15th National Games") was held in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. This marks the first time the National Games has been jointly hosted by the three regions, as well as Hong Kong and Macao's debut in co-hosting the event. Their first-time participation has yielded impressive results, particularly in ticket sales. According to a November 8 report, Macao offered over 350,000 tickets, with some popular events already sold out, while the remaining tickets will continue to be sold through multiple channels until the end of the games. In Hong Kong, about 35% of tickets—over 100,000—have been sold so far, with sales expected to improve as the games approach.

**Hong Kong: Fencing as a City Icon** At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Hong Kong’s team shone at the Grand Palais with two fencing gold medals. First, world No. 1 women’s épée fencer Vivian Kong staged a dramatic comeback to fulfill her Olympic dream, followed by men’s foilist Cheung Ka-long, who also triumphed in a reversal to defend his title, becoming the first Olympic foil champion in 68 years to retain the gold.

Fencing’s rise as Hong Kong’s standout sport was no accident. Over the past two decades, the Hong Kong SAR government has invested heavily in elite, professional, and event-driven development strategies, elevating the sport from amateur to world-class levels. Fencing’s roots in Hong Kong trace back to 1949 with the founding of the Hong Kong Amateur Fencing Association (predecessor to the Hong Kong Fencing Association). By the 1960s, inter-school competitions emerged, though the sport remained largely amateur.

The 21st century saw specialized fencing training institutions emerge, with mainland talent bolstering Hong Kong’s expertise. For instance, current Hong Kong fencing team head coach Zheng Zhaokang hails from Guangdong, while Cheung Ka-long’s former coach, Wang Changyong, moved from Jiangsu to Hong Kong in 2000. With this support, Hong Kong developed more systematic and professional training. The government also ramped up resources, refining athlete selection and development systems. In 2004, the Hong Kong Sports Institute was established to train elite athletes, and in 2012, the Elite Athlete Development Fund was created to ensure stable funding.

Beyond elite training, Hong Kong has worked to popularize fencing. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) supports the Hong Kong Fencing Association in promoting the sport in communities and schools. Meanwhile, Hong Kong has hosted high-profile international events, such as the 2024 FIE Foil World Cup—its first-ever World Cup event—attracting 400 fencers from over 30 countries. In 2026, Hong Kong will host the World Foil Championships, and during the 15th National Games, it will stage eight events, including fencing.

"Fencing is a niche sport, and its growth often hinges on chance—a coach nurturing a group of students or a standout performance can propel local development," said He Wenyi, Secretary-General of Peking University’s China Sports Industry Research Base. When niche sports achieve notable success, they can drive regional investment, shaping local sports culture. Today, fencing is a hallmark of Hong Kong sports, but the city isn’t stopping there. Leveraging its blend of sports and East-meets-West culture, Hong Kong continues to promote its image and develop new tourism offerings.

For residents and visitors alike, Hong Kong’s appeal extends beyond fencing. In 2025, the city will host a string of major events, including the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2025, the Hong Kong International Equestrian Festival, the Hong Kong Arts Festival, and the Hong Kong Travel Expo 2025. A highlight is the March 1 opening of the 28-hectare Kai Tak Sports Park, the 15th National Games’ main Hong Kong venue, hosting rugby sevens, fencing, handball, and boccia for the Paralympics.

"Kai Tak Sports Park’s opening is a milestone for Hong Kong’s culture, sports, and tourism," noted a report. A wave of large-scale cultural, artistic, and sports events will further cement Hong Kong’s status as a "capital of events."

"Hong Kong’s unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, internationalism, and diversity creates a distinctive atmosphere—melding old and new, fast and slow, visual and performing arts, sports, and nature," said Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR government. The 2025 lineup of major international sports and entertainment events will not only showcase Hong Kong’s vibrancy but also unlock significant economic potential.

**Macao: Table Tennis’ Premier Stage** On September 14, at the WTT Macao Champions men’s singles final, China’s Wang Chuqin swept Brazil’s Hugo Calderano 4-0 to claim the title. Table tennis fans have noticed that Macao, famed for its gaming industry, is making waves in sports, particularly table tennis, which has evolved from regional contests to a key stop on the ITTF World Tour.

WTT Chief Events Officer Munir Bacha noted that Macao’s successful hosting of multiple WTT premium events has solidified its role in advancing the sport globally. How has this Special Administrative Region, covering less than 35 square kilometers, become a must-visit for international table tennis?

First, Macao boasts world-class venues. The 15th National Games’ table tennis events will be held at Galaxy Arena, which seats 16,000 and features top-tier acoustics and unobstructed sightlines. ITTF Group CEO Steve Dainton called it "possibly one of the best table tennis venues in history."

Macao’s tournaments also stand out for their prize pools and ranking points. The 2025 WTT Macao Champions offers a total purse of $800,000 (approx. RMB 5.7 million)—surpassing other WTT events—with 1,000 ranking points for each singles champion. "The ITTF’s choice of Macao reflects trust in the SAR government and the Sports Bureau’s event-hosting capabilities," Dainton said.

But Macao isn’t limiting itself to table tennis. In recent years, it has built a portfolio of branded events like the Macau Grand Prix, FIVB Volleyball Nations League, and Macao Golf Open, drawing sports enthusiasts to watch and explore. The 2024 Policy Address outlined plans to build a "City of Sports," aiming for at least two international events monthly to create a distinctive sports-tourism blend.

In 2025, Macao is doubling down on "tourism+" cross-sector integration, partnering with culture, MICE, and major events to fuel economic growth. Beyond sports, Macao’s event calendar is packed with surprises, from Lunar New Year parades and international food festivals to art festivals, concerts, and comedy shows.

"The deep integration of tourism and sports will yield greater economic and social benefits," said legislator Leong Sun Iok. Riding the momentum of the 15th National Games, Macao aims to strengthen "sports + tourism" synergies to grow its sports-tourism industry.

As table tennis events kick off, Macao’s Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ao Ieong U, expressed hopes for deeper collaboration among Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities, further merging sports with tourism to advance Macao’s "City of Sports" vision.