The FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League – Macao 2018, sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), coorganized by the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government and the Volleyball Association of Macao, China, and presented by Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), will be held from 22 to 24 May (Tuesday to Thursday) at the Macao Forum. Four world’s women's volleyball national teams including China, Serbia, Thailand and Poland will be contesting the Macao round. The Organizing Committee held a press conference today to introducing information regarding the competition.

Starting this year, the FIVB replaces the highly popular FIVB World Grand Prix with the new FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League with the aim to revolutionize world’s volleyball competition. Under the new format, 16 teams including 12 core teams and 4 challenger teams compete in a five-week Round Robin Phase of 20 pools, with Macao as one of the pools of the second competition week.  The Finals will be held in Nanjing from the 27 June to 1 July which will be contested by hosts China plus five remaining best teams from the round-robin phase.

At the press conference, President of the Sports Bureau Mr. Pun Weng Kun expressed his eager anticipation for exciting and competitive volleyball matches played by the four participating teams. Director of GEG Mr. Philip Cheng expressed his gratitude as the presenting sponsor of the Macao round of the inaugural edition of this competition.  Mr. Pun and Mr. Cheng also signed this year’s sponsorship agreement at the press conference.  They, together with Chairman of the Volleyball Association of Macao, China, Mr. Ma Iao Ian, officiated the launching ceremony of the event.

The competition starts on 22 May with Serbia playing against Thailand and China against Poland; 23 May features Poland versus Serbia and China versus Thailand; and on the final day 24 May, Poland first plays against Thailand and then China and Serbia will conclude this year’s competition with a rematch of the Rio Olympics final.

Tickets will be on sale from 11 a.m. on 2 April at 15 designated Circle K convenience stores in Macao and also at the competition website www.macaovnl.com.  Each ticket is priced at MOP150 per day and is valid for two matches with free seating. Customers who purchase 3-day ticket package between 2 April and 21 May will be entitled to 30% discount.

In order to further enhance audience engagement during the competition, “My Favourite Galaxy Star Player” award will be hosted once again to offer spectators the chance to vote for their favourite player and to be in with an opportunity to win hotel accommodation as well as food and beverage prizes.

Volleyball fans interested in witnessing top-notch world-class women’s volleyball actions are urged to purchase the tickets while stock last. For more information regarding the competition, please call 28236363 or visit the competition website www.macaovnl.com.

Guests present at the press conference also included Vice Presidents of the Sports Bureau Mr. Lau Cho Un and Ms. Lam Lin Kio and members of the Sports Committee.