CSTS, Connexus set World Cup hospitality sales record in Greater China
CSTS Enterprises and its subsidiary Connexus Travel have set a new benchmark in sports hospitality after recording the highest official FIFA World Cup hospitality sales ever achieved in Greater China, highlighting the region's growing appetite for premium sports tourism and corporate entertainment.
HONG KONG – CSTS Enterprises and its subsidiary Connexus Travel have achieved the highest official hospitality sales for a FIFA World Cup in Greater China, underscoring the rapid growth of premium sports tourism and corporate hospitality across Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
The companies, which served as the sole sales agent for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Hospitality Programme in Greater China, said they successfully delivered hospitality experiences to more than 250 corporate partners and thousands of VIP guests throughout the tournament's 104 matches staged across 16 stadiums in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The achievement marks one of the largest hospitality operations undertaken for the expanded 48 team FIFA World Cup, reflecting increasing demand from Asian businesses and affluent travellers seeking premium access to major international sporting events.
According to CSTS, the scale of the tournament required years of planning and complex logistical coordination, with teams managing travel, hospitality and on site services across three host nations over a five week competition.
Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Abel Zhao said the tournament created an unprecedented opportunity to connect businesses and people through sport while showcasing the company's capability to execute large scale international hospitality programmes.
The company said every customer request across all World Cup matches was fulfilled, highlighting the operational expertise required to manage corporate guests across multiple venues and host cities simultaneously.
Connexus Managing Director Simon Hague credited the achievement to the collaboration between sales, account management, operations and on site teams, describing the project as one of the company's defining milestones.
Beyond record sales, the programme strengthened relationships with leading corporate clients and reinforced CSTS and Connexus' position in the growing global sports hospitality market. The companies said the experience gained from the FIFA World Cup would support future partnerships involving other major sporting and entertainment events.
The success also reflects a broader trend across Asia, where corporations are increasingly using premium sporting events as platforms for client engagement, executive networking and brand building. Demand for luxury sports travel has accelerated as businesses seek exclusive experiences that combine high profile events with tailored hospitality services.
Connexus Travel, founded in 1948 as Swire Travel, has evolved into one of Hong Kong's longest established travel management companies and now forms part of CSTS Enterprises, an integrated media, entertainment, sports and travel technology group. The company has expanded its portfolio beyond traditional travel services to include official hospitality programmes for globally recognised sporting events, including Formula 1 and the FIFA World Cup.
Following its World Cup success, CSTS said it plans to build on the expertise, partnerships and operational capabilities developed during the tournament as it pursues further opportunities in the international sports and entertainment sectors.
