Research on the National Games of the People’s Republic of China
The International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research (ICTHR) announces a research initiative to explore the social impacts and tourist perceptions of China's first across-border National Games.
About the National Games
The National Games of the People’s Republic of China is held every 4 years and in 2025, it will be held the first time in Guangdong province including the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao, truly incorporating the spirit and reflecting the successful implementation of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Held previously also in Guangdong province in 1987 and 2001, the National Games returns two decades later to a whole new era post-COVID-19 pandemic and also in the digital age.
The 15th National Games will be held 9-21 November 2025, with the opening ceremony held in Guangzhou on 9 November and the closing ceremony in Shenzhen on 21 November. Macao will be proudly hosting 5 of the competitions, namely table tennis, three-a-side basketball, five-a-side basketball (men, U18 division), volleyball (women, adult division) and karate. Macao, in conjunction with Guangdong and Hong Kong, will also host the marathon and cycling events across three regions and three borders, truly showcasing the full integration of the Greater Bay Area.
In line with our country’s goal of inclusivity, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games will be held also in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao on 8-15 December 2025. Macao will also be proudly hosting the badminton competitions in both National Games for Persons with Disabilities and National Special Olympic Games categories.
Research Scope & Objectives
The Macao University of Tourism, a public higher education institution in the Macao Special Administrative Region that specialises in tourism, hospitality and events, will also play its role in the National Games by supporting and encouraging students and staff members to volunteer at all competitions and associated work. The Macao University of Tourism, a highly ranked and internationally renowned university in research of related fields, through its International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research (ICTHR), initiates a series of research studies on the National Games to advance our understanding of the role of National Games in the society, particularly in relation to mega events, how tourists and residents perceive the National Games in relation to their wellbeing and attitudes.
Our study is designed to advance understanding of the National Games' role in society through three key objectives:
Investigate how the destination image of Macao is perceived by tourists during the National Games;
Explore the role of the National Games in relation to different social perspectives among residents;
Contribute to the knowledge domain and research in relation to mega events, social impacts, tourist attitudes and resident perceptions, etc.
The International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research (ICTHR) will disseminate these findings through press releases and symposiums, as well as academic platforms.
Research Team
Dr Xiangping Li
Faculty of Creative Tourism and Intelligent Technologies
Dr Hazel Xu
Faculty of Innovative Hospitality Management
Dr Irene Chan
Faculty of Innovative Hospitality Management and Faculty of Creative Tourism and Intelligent Technologies
Dr Ubaldino Couto
Faculty of Innovative Hospitality Management
Related links:
The 15th National Gamesof the People’s Republic of China - https://www.baygames.cn/
The 15th National Games (Macao Competition Zone) - https://www.2025nationalgames.gov.mo/
National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) - https://www.2025nationalgames.gov.hk/