The Macao SAR Government will develop a large-scale public sports park on the site of the former Macau Yat Yuen Canidrome greyhound racing stadium, which closed in 2018. The construction cost for “Area 1” is estimated at MOP$1.34 billion (US$167 million).
According to government-released information, the public sports park will cover a total area of 40,425 square meters, divided into two areas: Area 1 will feature three buildings and a pedestrian bridge, housing facilities including a skate park, table tennis courts, a climbing wall, volleyball courts, basketball courts and a public parking lot.
Area 2 will feature eight standard athletics tracks. At the center of the athletics field will be a standard artificial turf soccer pitch. It will also include a Children’s Pavilion with an outdoor play area and an indoor children’s playground.
The tender for Area 1’s construction has been awarded and completed. Three construction companies will undertake the project with a construction period of 964 working days. Construction is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2026.
The Macau Yat Yuen Canidrome was owned by Angela Leong, the current Co-Chairman and Executive Director of SJM Holdings. Following the enactment of Macau’s Animal Protection Law in 2016, the government reached an agreement with Macau Yat Yuen Canidrome Co Ltd to close the facility by 21 July 2018.
At the time, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) stated that the closure decision was made after comprehensive consideration, “particularly whether the Macau Racecourse contributes to establishing Macau as a world tourism and leisure center, promotes the diversification of the gaming industry and aligns with the broader public interest.”
Following the closure, the site’s fate was subject to multiple discussions. Before the pandemic, the government led by Fernando Chui Sai-on planned to build four schools to address Macau’s “Schools in Podium Building” issue. However, the plan was scrapped after the government transition.
Former Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng proposed a new scheme in 2023 to construct a public sports park. It is only during the current administration that the plan has finally been implemented.
