Macau issues travel safety advice for FIFA World Cup trips
The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has reminded residents travelling to Canada, Mexico and the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026 to prepare their trips in advance, stay informed about local conditions and remain alert to safety risks.
The reminder comes as the FIFA World Cup 2026 is underway across the three host countries and will run until 19 July.
MGTO advised residents planning to attend matches, or those already in the host countries, to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect their personal safety and property during their stay.
MGTO outlines travel safety precautions
In its advisory, MGTO called on residents travelling for the World Cup to protect their travel documents and personal belongings, stay away from unsafe regions, and abide by the laws and public-order requirements in the host countries.
MGTO also urged residents to pay attention to the latest situation in the host countries and said travellers can seek assistance through its tourism hotline and Chinese embassies and consulates if needed.
The travel reminder comes as the World Cup is expected to attract large numbers of international visitors to cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States during the five-week tournament.
Chinese diplomatic missions issue similar guidance
Chinese embassies and consulates in the three host countries have also issued travel advice for citizens attending the World Cup.
The guidance encourages travellers to prioritise personal safety, observe match-day regulations and follow local rules throughout the tournament.
Authorities have also warned football fans to purchase tickets only through official channels and avoid buying tickets from unknown individuals or through social media platforms.
Travellers were further reminded that official FIFA World Cup tickets cannot be directly refunded, although resale may be possible through authorised platforms.
Additional advice for visitors to Mexico
Chinese authorities issued additional recommendations for travellers visiting Mexico during the tournament.
As the World Cup coincides with the country’s hurricane season, visitors were advised to monitor weather forecasts and official alerts closely.
Travellers were also encouraged to use reputable travel service providers, consider obtaining accident and medical insurance, and remain vigilant against theft, credit-card fraud and other scams. For those interested in following the tournament’s sporting action, recommended online sportsbooks offer a way to engage with matches from their destinations.
World Cup expected to affect Macau gaming activity
The tournament is also being closely watched by analysts assessing its potential impact on Macau’s gaming sector. Several investment banks have said the World Cup could temporarily divert some consumer spending towards sports betting and away from Macau casinos during the tournament period.
Citigroup analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau recently forecast that Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) could decline by 10 per cent year-on-year in June and 5 per cent in July as the World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July.
The analysts said the 2026 tournament may have a greater impact than previous football competitions because of its expanded format. The World Cup now features 48 teams and a total of 104 matches, compared with 64 matches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 51 matches at UEFA Euro 2024.
Citigroup cited UEFA Euro 2024 as an example of the impact major football tournaments can have on Macau’s gaming market. During the tournament, daily gross gaming revenue fell to MOP514 million (US$64 million), around 17 per cent below the 2024 daily average of MOP620 million ($77 million).
Recovery expected after tournament ends
Despite the expected slowdown during the World Cup, Citigroup expects Macau’s gaming market to recover quickly after the tournament concludes in July.
The brokerage said a busy calendar of concerts and events scheduled for mid-July and the following months should help attract visitors and support spending. These include performances by K-pop groups, a concert by Taiwanese singer Zhao Chuan and NBA China Games involving the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks.
Citigroup forecasts Macau’s gross gaming revenue will grow by 6.5 per cent in 2026 and projects 5.7 per cent growth in the second half of the year.
While analysts monitor the tournament’s economic effects, tourism authorities remain focused on traveller safety, urging residents attending the World Cup to stay vigilant and follow official guidance throughout their trips.
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