MAKASSAR, JAKTIMES.COM – HGI City Cup 2026 – Makassar Fest officially concluded in spectacular fashion at the Main Atrium of Mall Trans Studio Makassar on Sunday (Feb 8, 2026). Thousands of visitors packed the venue from afternoon until evening, marking the end of a month-long seasonal domino tournament that began on January 14.
Organized directly by Higgs Games Island (HGI), the event was more than just a competition. Over nearly four weeks, hundreds of participants from various domino communities competed in qualifying rounds leading up to the Grand Final, held on February 6–8, 2026. A total of 16 finalists advanced to the championship stage, which was presented in a vibrant cultural and community carnival format.
Domino as a Mind Sport
HGI’s Director of PR Strategy, Eko Budi, emphasized that the HGI City Cup reflects the company’s long-term commitment to promoting domino as a strategic and intellectual sport.
“Through the HGI City Cup, we aim to reaffirm that domino is a game of strategy and a true mind sport that highlights concentration, analytical thinking, and sportsmanship. All competitions are conducted professionally with digital system support to ensure order, transparency, fairness, and to prevent any gambling practices,” he stated.
The tournament also received recognition from Pengurus Besar PORDI (PB PORDI), Indonesia’s national domino governing body, which praised the professional standards implemented throughout the event.
“Events like the HGI City Cup demonstrate that domino can be organized in a professional, structured, and educational manner. It provides a healthy development platform for communities and strengthens domino’s position as a mind sport,” a PB PORDI representative said.
Meanwhile, Komite Olahraga Nasional Indonesia (KONI) highlighted the event as a positive collaboration between sports, culture, and the broader community.
“We hope the HGI City Cup can be held in regions with strong cultural values and tourism potential. We want domino to gain wider recognition, even on the global stage,” a KONI representative expressed.
Carnival Atmosphere, UMKM Boost, and Live Performances
Beyond the Final Domino Match, visitors enthusiastically participated in interactive games such as Ludo, Billiards, Ring Toss, and Domino Fun Games. The entire event was open to the public free of charge and featured exclusive HGI merchandise giveaways, including power banks, TWS earbuds, standing fans, tote bags, umbrellas, and domino cards.
Local arts and fashion MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) also took part in the festival, benefiting from increased foot traffic and higher transaction volumes throughout the event period.
The closing ceremony was further enlivened by performances from Toton Caribo and Moluccan Soul, who energized thousands of attendees with lively music and entertainment.
Surabaya to Host the Next Series
Following its success in Makassar, HGI confirmed that HGI City Cup 2026 will continue in Surabaya. The City of Heroes is set to become the next host in this seasonal domino tournament and community carnival series.
By combining professional competition standards with cultural entertainment and community empowerment, HGI City Cup 2026 positions itself not merely as a tournament, but as a platform for networking, engagement, and the strengthening of Indonesia’s national domino ecosystem.
Surabaya, get ready—the next domino board is about to open (Wan)