Citi expects FIFA World Cup to continue weighing on Macau GGR until July 19
Analysts forecast a 5 per cent year-on-year decline in July gaming revenue but expect concerts and entertainment events to drive a recovery after the tournament ends.
Macau.- Citigroup expects the FIFA World Cup 2026 to continue weighing on Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR). It anticipates a recovery after the tournament concludes on July 19, supported by the city’s busy entertainment calendar.
The expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup, featuring 104 matches, is having a greater impact on Macau’s gaming industry than previous tournaments. Following Macau’s June GGR results, Citi analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau expect it to continue to divert part of consumers’ gaming budgets, maintaining pressure on casino revenues during the first three weeks of July.
The analysts forecast July GGR of MOP21bn (US$2.6bn), which would be a 5 per cent year-on-year decline. However, they expect the daily gaming run rate to improve to around MOP677m (US$83.7m), up roughly 14.6 per cent from the MOP591m (US$73m) daily average recorded during the final nine days of June.
Analysts believe the recovery will accelerate after the tournament ends, with a second wave of concerts expected to stimulate casino visitation and gaming demand. Citi highlighted events such as The Music of Chan Fai Young: King of POP, featuring singers Eason Chan and Joey Yung, and Hins Cheung’s UNPLUGGED2 concert as potential catalysts.
The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) reported that Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) was MOP18.52bn (US$2.8bn) in June, down 12.1 per cent in year-on-year terms and 18.1 per cent compared to May.
