The Legend Fighting Championship 2024, set to take place at Bluport Hua Hin’s The Legend Arena on October 19, promises an exciting return to the Muay Thai stage. Organized in collaboration with the Sports Authority of Thailand and Thai Life Insurance, this event aims to revitalize the careers of overlooked fighters while promoting Hua Hin as a sports tourism destination.
The Bluport Hua Hin shopping mall, together with The Legend Arena and the Sports Authority of Thailand, is preparing to host the highly anticipated Legend Fighting Championship 2024. This competition is part of the wider effort to strengthen Muay Thai’s global appeal by providing a platform for Thai and international fighters based in Thailand. Unlike previous editions, this year’s event features a reality-style format, showcasing the fighters’ personal journeys and challenges as they vie for the championship title. The competition, televised under the show Reality The Legend, gives 16 selected boxers a unique chance to battle their way back into the spotlight
One of the primary goals is to highlight the significance of Muay Thai as a cultural and economic asset. The organizers emphasized the importance of promoting this traditional martial art as a global “soft power” and leveraging it to boost tourism. The Maetaeng Elephant Park and Clinic, which supports the event, noted that the fight also draws attention to local tourism, integrating Hua Hin’s cultural appeal with its sporting potential.
In addition to promoting the sport, the event supports Thailand’s broader push to develop the country into a premier sport tourism destination. Hua Hin, a popular tourist city, has increasingly positioned itself as a hub for sporting events. The Legend Fighting Championship serves as a key pillar in this strategy, showcasing not just Muay Thai but also the region’s rich heritage and unique lifestyle.
According to Wajee Klomklieng, an executive at Hua Hin Asset Co., Ltd., the fight series has received widespread support from local and international audiences in its previous nine iterations. This year’s competition will elevate the Muay Thai standard and encourage greater participation on an international scale. “We aim to promote Muay Thai as a professional sport while contributing to the overall growth of the sports industry globally,” Wajee said, explaining how the event aligns with Thailand’s efforts to implement its 1999 Boxing Act, which regulates and supports the industry.
Promoter Yaowapa Burapolchai added that this year’s event, blending entertainment with intense competition, would be more dynamic than ever before. “We’ve opened up the selection process, and the audience will enjoy watching 16 pairs of boxers battle it out, showcasing traditional Muay Thai and Muay Boran techniques,” she said.
Muay Thai fans are encouraged to attend the event at Bluport Hall, located on the first floor of Bluport Hua Hin, on October 19. The thrilling competition is expected to impress and further reinforce Hua Hin’s growing reputation as a destination for sports tourism.