Since reopening to international tourism, Macau has hosted a range of concerts that contribute to the city’s live events scene. The concert economy is one of the key pillars supporting the diversification of Macau’s tourism offerings.
Integrated resorts (IR) compete on star power and bring a variety of concerts to town. Melco Style’s Residency Concert Series will feature Joey Yung (April to May) and Leon Lai (June) at Studio City; Macao Londoner Arena will host Rain in the 2025 Rain Concert: Still Raining (April); The Venetian Arena will present You & Mi Sammi Cheng Live (May).
As a venue operator and organiser, Galaxy Macau hosts concerts at Galaxy Arena, the largest indoor arena in Macau, with 16,000 seats. In 2024, it hosted Andy Lau’s concert tour and the Galaxy Opera Gala with Plácido Domingo and guests. Recent events include the Galaxy Music Gala with Lang Lang and the Macao Orchestra (January), as well as Andrea Bocelli Live in Concert and Jisoo Asia Fan Tour 2025 (March). Coming up next are Wakin Chau World Tour Live in Macao (May) and Jacky Cheung 60+ Concert Tour (June).
A Galaxy Macau spokesperson said concerts are an important revenue generator for the destination. In 2023, Macau’s 240 concerts brought in around 1.1 billion patacas (US$137 million) in ticket sales.
She said such celebrity shows serve to enhance Macau’s global and regional visibility and reputation.
She added: “We have scheduled a number of shows and entertainment events for the coming year, including concerts, talk shows, opera, and sporting events. We believe these will be very popular. Post-pandemic, the age of visitors has gone down, and many young travellers are drawn to concerts.”
Sands China senior vice president of hotel operations, Kris Kaminsky, agrees on the branding effect live events have on Macau as a destination and on properties like those managed by his company.
“(Live events) enhance the city’s image as a vibrant cultural hub and complement our diverse offerings, leading to increased foot traffic in both our venues and the surrounding community,” said Kaminsky.
“Hosting concerts benefits our IR venues by boosting occupancy and restaurant sales. Additionally, local businesses, including nearby attractions and restaurants, experience increased patronage, stimulating the economy and promoting a thriving tourism ecosystem.
“In short, concerts create city-wide economic spill over. Local SMEs, including Taipa Village restaurants and Coloane attractions, reported a surge in footfall during event weekends,” he added.
A Melco spokesperson said mega star concerts demonstrate Macau’s capacity to host large-scale entertainment and strengthen its reputation as a centre for live events.
She said: “As Macau’s live events scene becomes increasingly competitive, venues and event organisers face the challenge of standing out in a crowded market. To address this, we focus on creating unique and exclusive experiences that set us apart.
“For instance, Melco’s Concert Series features A-list artists, while immersive events like WaveFest deliver captivating and one-of-a-kind experiences. These offerings ensure that our events remain distinctive and highly appealing to visitors.”
Another challenge lies in meeting the high expectations of international and regional audiences. Melco addresses this by curating a diverse line-up of acclaimed artists and performers, paired with entertainment, dining, and leisure experiences.
Pamela Chan, managing director of Taipa Village Destination, told TTG Asia that the concert economy is contributing to a thriving Macau.
Chan observed that concerts are bringing a “strong influx of visitors” to Macau and ringing the tills for retailers, restaurateurs, and small businesses in the community.
She recalled that when Hong Kong-based crooner, Jacky Cheung held a concert series with 12 shows between June and July 2023, he drew 100,000 fans to Macau.
She shared that some local businesses in Taipa Village are creative with maximising star power. Some would organise fans gatherings, using shop entrances and props to entice photo opportunities and drive up merchandise sales.
