Excitement is building in Hong Kong as the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) prepares to launch the 2025/2026 racing season on 7 September — the HKJC 2025-2026 racing season — unveiling two major innovations at Sha Tin: Champions Connection, an immersive arrival hub, and Gensō Eki, a four-storey digital racing and dining complex. Together, they are set to redefine how fans — from first-time visitors to seasoned racegoers — experience the thrill of racing.
The announcement carried a celebratory tone, with HKJC executives emphasising that the season launch will be about more than just horses on the track. It will mark a transformation of the racecourse itself into a destination for culture, technology, and community.
Champions Connection creates a grand welcome
Visitors arriving at Grandstand II will pass through Champions Connection, a space designed to inspire wonder and curiosity. Digital renderings of thoroughbreds stride across columns, a hall of fame honours equine legends such as Golden Sixty, and displays highlight the gear of Hong Kong’s top jockeys.
A robotic horse, a mobile sculpture, and QR-code storytelling add interactive touches that appeal to younger audiences. Pop-up kiosks featuring food, crafts, and sustainability projects complete the atmosphere, ensuring that a trip to Sha Tin begins with discovery.
Philip Chen, HKJC’s Director of Property, said Champions Connection would “ignite curiosity and deepen appreciation of Hong Kong racing in a refreshing and exciting way.”
Gensō Eki: digital racing for a new era
Gensō Eki, linked directly to the new arrival hub, is being positioned as a “must-visit” attraction. Across four levels, it combines sport, dining, and digital interaction. Extended Reality rides let visitors mount virtual champions, while puzzles in the Maze Race highlight racing history.
The venue leans into the social media age: an AI photo booth, handcrafted horseshoe art, and stylish viewing areas encourage fans to share their day online. Dining plays a strong role too, with Fudo Town’s lively food hall and a refined Izakaya restaurant giving racegoers a wide range of options.
Dennis Hau, Executive Director of Customer Strategy, described it as “a place beyond imagination where racing experiences connect with today’s social media generation.”
Tourism at the heart of the HKJC 2025/2026 racing season
Last season saw more than 1.7 million people attend HKJC meetings, including nearly 200,000 visitors from Mainland China. With the addition of Champions Connection and Gensō Eki, the Club is aiming to expand its reach even further and cement racing tourism as part of Hong Kong’s global appeal.
Other projects are also in motion. A WeChat mini programme tailored to tourists will launch this month, while Penfold Park is undergoing renovation, with the family-friendly Pony World scheduled to open in April 2026.
HKJC Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges summed up the vision: “These new attractions will redefine the arrival and racecourse experience. They will make a major contribution to racing tourism, which is an important pillar of Hong Kong’s wider tourism development.”
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