The 2026 Sands Shopping Carnival has officially opened at The Venetian Macao's Cotai Expo, with this year's edition introducing a dedicated Sports Experience zone and an expanded Cultural and Creative area.
Running from 23 to 26 July, the event features free admission and more than 580 exhibition booths across eight themed zones, including Household Products, Gourmet and Wine, Food Court, Cultural and Creative, Sands Retailers, Macau Specialities and Souvenirs, Play and Fun, and the newly launched Sports Experience area.
The Sports Experience zone makes its debut with attractions including a basketball shooting challenge designed to build excitement ahead of the NBA China Games 2026, which are scheduled to take place at the Venetian Arena in October.
Meanwhile, the Cultural and Creative zone has been expanded to showcase brands from Hong Kong and other Greater Bay Area cities, broadening the event's regional participation.
According to Sands China, the carnival has welcomed more than 640,000 visitors since its launch during the COVID-19 pandemic and has provided over 4,000 complimentary exhibition booths to local SMEs, retail partners and social service organisations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Sands China Executive Vice Chairman Wilfred Wong said the event has evolved into a signature fixture for Macau, highlighting its role in creating business opportunities and supporting the local community. He noted that the carnival was originally established to help businesses affected by pandemic-related disruptions by bringing retailers and SMEs together through a free promotional platform.
Macau Government Tourism Office Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes also addressed attendees, highlighting Macau's continued recognition as one of China's leading tourism destinations. She encouraged the retail sector to continue improving service standards to strengthen the city's position as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.
The carnival's launch follows a series of other announcements from Sands China and its parent company, Las Vegas Sands, including a full renovation of the Venetian Macao's rooms and gaming areas due for completion by 2028, figures showing Sands China's MICE venues have drawn more than 15.7 million attendees to date, and the appointment of Angelita Teo as VP of Attractions at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
The Sands Shopping Carnival was first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to support local SMEs and retailers, and has since attracted more than 640,000 visitors over its previous six editions
