Singapore Indoor Stadium set to be replaced by new state-of-the-art indoor arena to be built next to it

SINGAPORE — The Singapore Indoor Stadium, which has hosted top sports events such as the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals and concerts such as Jacky Cheung's 11-night stand in 2023, is set to be replaced by a new state-of-the-art indoor arena.

While plans for the new indoor stadium are still in the early stages, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong said in Parliament on Thursday (7 March) that it will be constructed next to the current stadium, and will be among the best-in-class globally. It should have a similar capacity as the 12,000-seater Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The current stadium, which was opened on 31 December 1989, will continue to operate until the new arena is completed.

"Others around the region have refreshed their facilities, with new, modern indoor arenas that are state of the art. We believe that it is now an opportune time to develop a new indoor arena that will be among the best-in-class globally," said Tong during his ministry's Committee of Supply budget debate.

"We have gone around to study some of the best arenas in the world, to learn from them. We are considering an arena which can host more sophisticated events, can flexibly accommodate different types of events, have a faster turnaround time between different types of events, and offer greater value to spectators such as more varied hospitality suites, better seating and overall experience."

The new indoor arena is the latest development in the government's plan to transform the Kallang Alive precinct into one which is able to host world-class events, as well as nurture top national athletes and sports associations. This year will see the openings of the Kallang Tennis Hub and the Kallang Football Hub in the precinct.

Outside of the precinct, Sport Singapore (SportSG) is also building and refreshing sports facilities around the island under the Sports Facilities Master Plan. This year will see the openings of new basketball courts at the former Bedok Swimming Complex, as well as a facility for softball and baseball at Jurong East.

In Ang Mo Kio, Hougang and Queenstown, residents can look forward to refreshed sport facilities in their neighbourhood in the next few years. Upon renovation, Queenstown Sport Centre will feature more free-to-play spaces and refurnished pool amenities; Ang Mo Kio Swimming Complex will see new facilities like a sheltered pool and an inclusive gym; and Hougang Sport Centre will have an expanded gym and a sheltered pool with ramp access.

S$165m fund to promote S'pore as major sports events destination

As part of the government’s efforts to promote Singapore as a major sporting events destination, a S$165 million Major Sports Event Fund (MSEF) will be set aside over four years. This fund will allow for more world-class sporting events to be hosted in the city-state, and strengthen its reputation as a choice destination for top international sporting events.

To tap on the the fund's support scheme, event owners can reach out to SportSG with event proposals, and the national sports governing body will assess the merits of bringing in specific sporting events to Singapore, and the amount of funding support that it will contribute towards those events.

"For our TeamSG athletes, hosting such events will mean more opportunities to compete. They'll get more wild cards into competitions, and can measure themselves against the world’s best on home ground," said Tong.

"There are immense benefits beyond those attributable to our athletes. Singaporeans will get to watch more of the world’s best athletes in action, adding to an already vibrant sporting calendar. It also boosts economic growth and global recognition, possibly unlocking latent potential in hosting entertainment and sporting events, and concurrently strengthening Singapore’s reputation as a choice destination for high-signature international events."

Even as Singapore is gunning to be a major sports events destination, the government will continue to support the country's athletes in their quest for top honours.

An additional $20 million will be set aside for the One Team Singapore Fund, which is a dollar-for-dollar matching grant by the government that aims to encourage corporations and members of the public to support the national athletes through donations.

The fund began in 2017, with S$50 million set aside until 2026. Its funding will be extended until 2027, and will be expanded to include the Athletes’ Inspire Fund, which supports promising athletes who represent Singapore in emerging sports, and SportCares, SportSG's philanthropic arm.

There will be three applications windows per year for the One Team Singapore Fund - in March, July and November.

Updating the Disability Sports Masterplan

The Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth, together with SportSG, have embarked on efforts to update the Disability Sports Masterplan (DSMP), with recommendations will be announced later this year.

The DSMP which was launched in 2016, and has raised the sports participation rate among persons with disabilities rose from 28 per cent in 2015 to 54 per cent in 2022. SportSG has also introduced a range of disability sport programmes and initiatives which has reached out to close to 20,000 persons with disabilities to date.

The Para Sport Academy, launched in March 2022, has rolled out 10 sports with more than 400 participants to date. By 2025, there will be 10 swimming pools at ActiveSG Sports Centres that will be retrofitted with ramps for wheelchairs. SportSG is also on track to make all ActiveSG gyms inclusive by 2026.

"The DSMP refresh will look to increase accessibility to disability sport activities and facilities; enhance awareness of disability and inclusive sports opportunities; and help fulfil the aspirations of those who aspire to pursue sports at the high-performance level," Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth, Eric Chua, said in Parliament.

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