Macao is set to host the 2025 International Festival of Extreme Sports: Battle of the Champions (FISE BOTC), meaning a selection of the world’s top skateboarders will descend on the city to battle it out next March, according to Melco Resorts & Entertainment – which is co-organising the event.
The concessionaire also announced it would “soon be opening” a dedicated skatepark at its Studio City integrated resort (already home to a waterpark and the Golden Reel Ferris Wheel). The new park would give local skateboarding enthusiasts a well-equipped venue to practise at, help attract international travellers and promote Macao as a sports-friendly destination, Melco said in a statement.
Two Chinese skateboarders have been selected as ambassadors for Macao’s inaugural edition of FISE BOTC: Pan Jia Jie (China’s first representative at the US’ Tampa Pro skateboarding contest) and Liang Wen Min. Alongside the local skateboarding community, the pair reportedly took part in “several thrilling performances” at a press conference held yesterday.
[See: more: Neighbourhood Guides: Skateboarding in Central Macao]
Melco board director Clarence Chung described FISE BOTC as not only the “first event of its kind” to take place in Macao, but in the whole Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.
“The festival will combine sports and youth culture in a vibrant festival atmosphere to appeal to both locals and visitors, while demonstrating Melco’s steadfast commitment to bringing world-class events and performances to Macao,” he said.
Melco is collaborating with Rakuten Sports and FISE organiser Hurricane Group to stage the invitation-only event – part of the FISE World Series tour. Founded in Montpellier, France, FISE is the largest comprehensive extreme sports event in the world. It comprises nine sports, including skateboarding, rock climbing, BMX freestyle and breakdancing. Melco’s statement implied that only the skateboarding segment of the event would take place in Macao next year.
Skateboarding is gaining mainstream appeal and made its Olympic debut in Tokyo, 2020. The sport is returning to the 2024 Games in Paris.
