TEG Sport and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have signed a five-year partnership to bring the Singapore Festival of Football (SFOF) back on ground, with regular top-flight European football fixtures scheduled to play in Singapore in alternate years – 2025, 2027 and 2029.
This year’s SFOF will feature 19-time Serie A champions AC Milan, English Premier League giants Arsenal FC and newly-crowned Carabao Cup champions Newcastle United FC. Arsenal FC will play their first match against AC Milan on July 23 and host an open training session two days later before playing Newcastle United FC on July 27.
Both fixtures as well as the open training session will be held at the National Stadium at the Singapore Sports Hub.
Timothy Ho, managing director, TEG Asia, said: “The nation’s location, efficiency and passion for European football make it a natural spot for teams to conduct their preseason training and connect with their fans in South-east Asia.
“This is not the first time we’ve brought European football clubs to Singapore and this partnership will allow us to continue allowing fans here to enjoy world-class football on a regular basis.”
Melissa Ow, chief executive, STB, expects the partnership to add to Singapore’s “vibrant calendar and also reinforces Singapore’s appeal as a must-visit destination”.
AC Milan honorary vice president Franco Baresi said: “We are thrilled to be part of the Singapore Festival of Football this summer and to play our first-ever match in Singapore. It will be a special moment for the Club and for all our fans in this part of the world – a historic first that promises to be unmissable for anyone who loves the Rossoneri colours. AC Milan boasts a rich history and a truly international vision – from Milan to the hearts of our supporters all around the globe – and we can’t wait to bring our spirit to the National Stadium and feel the energy and passion of our fans in Singapore.”
Arsenal managing director, Richard Garlick recalled enjoyable trips to Singapore for the team back in 2015 and 2018. “Our trip (this year) will give us the opportunity to connect with our supporters in this beautiful region, with the matches against AC Milan and Newcastle United promising to produce two exciting games, providing the squad with high quality preparation ahead of the new season.”
Newcastle United’s sporting director, Paul Mitchell, added that the team’s participation in SFOF will provide “elite facilities and opposition as we look to optimise performance ahead of a Premier League season”.
The inaugural SFOF in 2023 welcomed over 130,000 fans to the National Stadium where English clubs Liverpool FC, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City FC as well as German powerhouse Bayern Munich played three top-class matches over a week.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on April 25, 12.00.
Fans are encouraged to sign up for the waitlist on Ticketek Singapore by April 21 to gain access to exclusive pre-sale and other promotional activities.
