The 2025 Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races are planned to take place on 7 and 8 June. For the time of a weekend, the Victoria Harbour will be the scene of a glorious sports event, with 4,500 athletes attending from all over the world.
The Dragon Boat competition in Hong Kong is a joint event organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association. Overall, 19 events are set to take place at Victoria Harbour, including a couple of new additions: the Secondary Schools Championship and the Disciplinary Forces Championship.
Surpassing last year’s attendance numbers, over 4,500 athletes are expected to paddle their way to glory. 190 teams from 12 countries will attend the event, including Hong Kong, mainland China, Canada, and Malaysia. For the first time ever, Qatar and Egypt will also compete in the race.
“From our understanding, they have just started developing dragon boat racing as a sport, so they have been preparing for this competition for a few years now. We hope that Hong Kong can become a hub for dragon boat development, and that we can support more countries that have yet to develop in this sport,” association chairman Arnold Chung said about the participation of Egypt and Qatar while speaking on a RTHK radio programme.
The competition should be the largest in Hong Kong since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the city. In 2019, 272 teams and 6,000 competitors attended the race.
Dragon boat carnival accompanies the races
Before the start of the race on 7 June, other events will build on the momentum of the sports happening, transforming East Tsim Sha Tsui into a day-and-night dragon boat carnival. Starting from 31 May, a so-called Dragon Boat Food Lane will be installed on the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui. The street food market will be open daily from 1pm to 10pm, offering a combination of local specialities and Dragon Boat Festival-themed snacks. There will also be a panda-themed pop-up store selling souvenirs and a photo spot.
The Dragon Boat Races are approaching 🇭🇰 — are you ready to immerse yourself in an exhilarating festive experience 🔥?
— Cathay Pacific (@cathaypacific) May 14, 2025
Dragon Boat racing is a vibrant citywide celebration, where elite teams paddle fiercely, all set against the backdrop of Hong Kong's scenic waterfronts. pic.twitter.com/TtL02oZaIL
“We have taken innovation to new heights this year by transforming the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races into an immersive day-and-night dragon boat carnival. The event offers visitors and locals a blend of cultural activities and celebrations steeped in Hong Kong’s East-meets-West heritage, enriching the city’s potential for mega-event tourism,” said Hong Kong’s Tourism Board executive director Dane Cheng Ting-yat.
The race days will be lightened up through flash mobs of acrobatic performances by Cirque du Soleil, set to happen at the Avenue of Stars and the Urban Council Centenary Garden. Meanwhile, a beer garden will open its doors from 2pm to 10pm to prevent spectators from going thirsty. Tourists looking for a free beer can redeem a voucher at one of the designated Tourism Board visitor centres or by visiting a collection point at the East Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.
