The 2026 Sands Shopping Carnival, held from 23 to 26 July at The Venetian Macao's Cotai Expo, attracted nearly 160,000 visits, marking the highest annual attendance in its history. This seventh edition featured over 580 booths across eight themed zones, including a new Sports Experience Zone and a larger food court, enhancing the carnival experience for both residents and visitors.

The event, Macao's largest free sales platform, supports local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by providing business opportunities and expanding their customer base. Since its inception in 2020, the carnival has offered 4,000 complimentary booths and attracted 800,000 visits. Dr Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd, noted, "The carnival has evolved from an innovative SME initiative into Macao's largest consumption event."

This year, the carnival introduced several new elements, such as a Sports Experience Zone featuring pickleball and a basketball challenge, and a Cultural and Creative Zone showcasing brands from the Greater Bay Area. The ICBC ePay Presents Greater Bay Area Karaoke King Singing Competition also returned, drawing nearly 150 participants, with over half from Hong Kong.

The carnival also included community activities, inviting 20 social service organisations to participate, offering a platform for disadvantaged groups to showcase their talents. The event was organised by Sands China, with support from the Macao Chamber of Commerce and various government bodies. Sands China aims to continue leveraging this platform to support Macao's economic diversification and development as a tourism and leisure centre

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