The 2025 Macao International Dragon Boat Races will be held at the Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre at the time of the Dragon Boat Festival, which this year falls on 31 May. Preliminary rounds of local races by small-sized dragon boats and races by standard-size dragon boats – across multiple race categories – started last week.

The local races of small-sized dragon boats and of standard-size dragon boats have already produced some remarkable performances. The upcoming invitational standard-size dragon boat category races, coinciding with the Dragon Boat Festival, will feature high-calibre teams from Macao, the Chinese mainland, and overseas, competing head-to-head. The public has high anticipation there will be intense competition.

Dragon boat racing is all about strength, technique, speed, determination, and perseverance.

Dragon boat racing is all about strength, technique, speed, determination, and perseverance.

Race team members get a dragon boat ready for action.

All the teams in this race can be seen rapidly paddling towards the finish line, vying for first place.

After crossing the finish line, racers splash 'dragon boat water' to pray for safety and well-being, while exchanging blessings.

During the race gathering, there are parades, cultural and creative product booths, and food stalls, turning the races into a carnival-like event.

The Macao International Dragon Boat Races are a flagship sporting event that not only promotes development of dragon boat racing as a sport, but also preserves traditional Chinese festive customs.

Members of the public are invited to witness this year’s Macao International Dragon Boat Races, to experience the festive spirit of the City of Sports.