Mainland Boost Attendance at New Year’s Day Races Events

Horse racing events in Hong Kong saw a notable increase in visitors from the Chinese mainland on New Year’s Day races in 2025. The Hong Kong Jockey Club reported 4,120 spectators from the mainland attending races at Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses, nearly double the 2,500 recorded on the same day in 2024. The overall attendance for the day exceeded 42,000, highlighting the growing appeal of these events among regional audiences.

The New Year’s Day races betting turnover was 1.64 billion, almost the same amount of 1.65 billion recorded last year. Figures of this nature reflect the annual consistency of enthusiasm for horse racing as a key entertainment item in Hong Kong.

Horse racing represents a major constituent of the broader strategy for tourism development, as an important thrust or initiative of the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). City campaigns are underway to attract sport tourism-horse racing, emulating the country’s well-known horse racing culture.

Secretary Kevin Yeung for Culture, Sports, and Tourism in Hong Kong has announced the incorporation of horse racing into the wider framework for tourism in Hong Kong within the city. According to Yeung, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will work with partners along the travel value chain to integrate horse racing experiences into travel packages for cruise passengers and business visitors attending meetings, conferences, and exhibitions. Such outreach actions would bring in different segments of travelers to add to the economy of the city and improve its global profile further.

To elevate the experience for attendees, the Hong Kong Jockey Club increased prize offerings for the New Year’s Day races. The Triple Trio jackpot was raised to HK$10 million, while the Six Win Bonus jackpot reached 3.8 million. These incentives not only attracted seasoned bettors but also appealed to first-time spectators.

On New Year’s Day races, there were also a slew of other entertainment and dining options available to even the most discerning attendees. Added to this was the gastronomic delight of public betting halls offering an impressive array of international dishes-from lobster bisque to Korean-style dumplings.

Mainland visitors expressed enthusiasm for the unique experiences offered at Hong Kong’s horse racing events. Amber Wu, who attended a race in the fall, described it as an enjoyable way to immerse in the local culture. “It’s a fantastic combination of good food, drinks, and the excitement of the races,” she shared. “I look forward to bringing friends next time.”

These testimonials reflect the appeal of horse racing as a cultural and social event, attracting visitors who seek distinctive activities during their stay in Hong Kong.

The HKSAR government and Hong Kong Jockey Club will also build on this success. Bringing international highlight New Year’s Day races to Hong Kong, and organizing such events as part of the overall tourism in Hong Kong campaigns would improve their attractiveness further. This will help to capture a wider audience while restoring Hong Kong’s reputation as one of the world’s premier venues for horse racing.

Collaborative efforts between the HKTB and travel industry stakeholders will focus on crafting travel packages that include horse racing as a highlight. This approach is expected to attract high-value visitors and expand the economic impact of Mainland Chinese Tourists in the region.

Horse racing is one of the most important identities of New Year’s Day races in Hong Kong. It embraces a rich heritage, besides a modern form of entertainment. Iconic venues such as Sha Tin and Happy Valley maintain the gathering of fans and visitors alike, which adds to the city’s internationality.

As Hong Kong continues to innovate and enhance its offerings, the growth in attendance and participation at horse racing events reflects their enduring appeal. These initiatives promise to strengthen the sector’s contribution to the city’s Mainland Chinese Tourists and economic development goals.