Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 opens

A woman visits the preview of Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in south China's Hong Kong, March 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

HONG KONG, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 held its preview on Wednesday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, bringing together 240 galleries from 41 countries and regions.

The fair will open to the public from Friday to Sunday.

The event features six themed sectors and programs. Its Kabinett sector presents 35 thematic exhibitions, spotlighting artistic creations from various historical periods and contemporary art practices across the Asia-Pacific. A new sector, Echoes, showcases works created in the past five years across 10 booths, offering visitors insight into the latest developments in artistic practice.

Rosanna Law, secretary for culture, sports and tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, announced at the opening that an agreement has been sealed with the organizer, confirming Hong Kong as Art Basel's exclusive host city in Asia for the next five years.

A visitor views exhibits at the preview of Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in south China's Hong Kong, March 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

Law said the long-term partnership underscores the HKSAR government's resolve to strengthen Hong Kong's standing as an international hub for high-end art trading and a center for cultural exchanges between the East and the West.

Over the next five years, the HKSAR government and Art Basel will collaborate to elevate Hong Kong's status as a world-class marketplace for premium art, while showcasing the exceptional talent of local Hong Kong and Asian artists to a global audience, she noted.

Beyond the annual March fair, Art Basel Hong Kong will continue public art promotion and education in the city, and support the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the HKSAR government in formulating strategies to further develop Hong Kong's local art ecosystem and market.

Visitors view exhibits at the preview of Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in south China's Hong Kong, March 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

Wednesday's preview drew strong crowds. Several gallery representatives said Hong Kong boasts a distinctive artistic heritage and vibrant creative atmosphere, and they expressed optimism about the fair's commercial performance.

First founded in Basel, Switzerland, in 1970, Art Basel launched its Hong Kong edition in 2013.