
Singapore Festival of Football 2025: Schedule, Tickets & Results
If you are a football fan in Southeast Asia, July means one thing: top European clubs landing in Singapore. The Singapore Festival of Football returns for 2025 with Arsenal, Newcastle United, and AC Milan playing at the National Stadium from July 23 to 27, where Arsenal beat Newcastle 3–2 in one of the matches, proving that pre-season friendlies can still spark real intensity, and this article covers dates, venues, tickets, and what to expect beyond the pitch.
Event name: Singapore Festival of Football ·
2025 edition dates: July 23, 25, 27, 2025 ·
Venue: National Stadium, Singapore ·
Participating clubs (2025): Arsenal, Newcastle United, AC Milan
Quick snapshot
- 2025 edition runs July 23, 25, 27 (SportPlus.sg)
- Participating clubs: Arsenal, Newcastle United, AC Milan (Tabla)
- Match result: Arsenal 3–2 Newcastle United (Mothership.SG)
- Exact history before the inaugural 2023 edition
- Full ticket pricing breakdown beyond base S$108
- Which clubs will participate in the 2027 edition
- Total attendance figures for 2025
- Exact result of Arsenal vs AC Milan match
- 2023: First edition with Liverpool, Tottenham, Leicester, Bayern Munich, AS Roma (Playmaker.sg)
- July 23–27, 2025: Current edition (Everyday People SG)
- 2027: Next edition confirmed (Mothership.SG)
- The five-year partnership (2025, 2027, 2029) ensures regular visits of top European clubs (Mothership.SG)
The six facts that define the festival at a glance:
| Full name | Singapore Festival of Football |
| First edition | 2023 (Mothership.SG, Playmaker.sg) |
| Location | National Stadium, 1 Stadium Drive, Singapore 397629 (Everyday People SG) |
| Participating clubs (2025) | Arsenal, Newcastle United, AC Milan (Mothership.SG) |
| 2025 match dates | July 23, 25, 27 (SportPlus.sg) |
| Next edition | 2027 (Mothership.SG) |
What is the Singapore Festival of Football?
The Singapore Festival of Football (SFOF) is a pre-season tournament that brings top European clubs to Southeast Asia for competitive friendlies and fan engagement. The event is organised by TEG Sport in partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) as part of a five-year initiative to make Singapore a regular stop for elite clubs.
For European clubs, Singapore offers a lucrative warm‑weather training camp and direct access to a massive Asian fanbase. For local supporters, it means seeing world‑class players at close range without flying to Europe.
Origins and history of the festival
- The inaugural SFOF in 2023 featured Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, Bayern Munich and AS Roma over eight days, drawing over 130,000 attendees (Playmaker.sg (Singapore sports portal)).
- The 2023 edition ran from July 26 to August 2, 2023 (Playmaker.sg).
- After a hiatus in 2024, the festival returned in 2025 with a refined format focusing on three clubs playing two matches each.
Significance in the Asian pre‑season calendar
The SFOF sits alongside the International Champions Cup and pre‑season tours of China and Japan as a key destination for European clubs. The partnership with STB provides organisational heft, while the National Stadium’s 55,000‑seat capacity and roof make it a reliable venue even in Singapore’s tropical climate.
The festival bridges the gap between European club football and Asia’s passionate fanbase, turning pre‑season friendlies into genuine events rather than low‑key warm‑ups.
Which Premier League teams are coming to Singapore?
The 2025 edition features three European giants, two of which are from the English Premier League.
Arsenal
Arsenal returns to Singapore for the first time since 2018. The Gunners brought a strong squad including first‑team regulars, and their open training session on July 25 at the National Stadium was ticketed separately (Mothership.SG). Arsenal played two matches: against AC Milan on July 23 and against Newcastle on July 27.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United, fresh from winning the Carabao Cup in 2025, also participated. Their match against Arsenal ended 3–2 in a tightly contested affair (Mothership.SG). The club used the SFOF as part of its pre‑season preparation for the upcoming Premier League season.
Other participating clubs (AC Milan from Serie A)
AC Milan, 19‑time Serie A champions, made their first appearance in Singapore. They faced Arsenal on July 23 in a match that served as a key test for the Italian side’s pre‑season fitness (Tabla (lifestyle and sports magazine in Singapore)).
The trade‑off: While all three clubs rotated squads heavily (typical for pre‑season), the intensity on the pitch was higher than standard friendlies, giving fans genuine competitive action.
When and where does the Singapore Festival of Football take place?
2025 edition dates and match schedule
- July 23, 7:30 pm: Arsenal vs AC Milan (SportPlus.sg (ticketing partner))
- July 25, 6:00 pm: Arsenal open training session (Tabla)
- July 27, 7:30 pm: Arsenal vs Newcastle United (SportPlus.sg)
Venue: National Stadium, Singapore
All matches and the open training session take place at the National Stadium, 1 Stadium Drive, Singapore 397629 (Everyday People SG). The venue is accessible via the Kallang MRT station and is the largest sports stadium in the country.
The convenience factor: For visitors, the stadium’s central location and the city’s efficient public transport make attending matches easy, regardless of where you are staying on the island.
The pattern: The festival’s schedule allows fans to attend matches and training sessions across multiple days, making it a week-long football experience.
How can I get tickets for the Singapore Festival of Football?
Official ticket vendors and platforms
Tickets are sold through Ticketek Singapore, the official ticketing platform for the festival (SportPlus.sg). General sale began on April 25, 2025 at 12 pm, with a pre‑sale window for users who signed up by April 21 (Mothership.SG).
Pricing categories and availability
- Match tickets start at S$108 (about US$80) for standard seats, with higher categories for premium views (SportPlus.sg).
- Arsenal open training session tickets were priced from S$34 for general admission (Mothership.SG).
- Group discounts and hospitality packages are available but details are only revealed closer to the event.
The catch: Demand is high, especially for Arsenal and AC Milan matches. The pre‑sale sold out quickly, and general sale tickets for the July 27 match were reportedly limited within hours.
- Sign up for pre‑sale access by April 21 via Ticketek Singapore.
- Visit Ticketek Singapore on April 25 at 12 pm SGT for general sale.
- Select your match and seating category.
- Complete payment and receive e‑tickets.
What were the results of the 2025 Singapore Festival of Football?
Match 1: Arsenal vs AC Milan
The result of the July 23 match has not been widely published in the sources available, but the festival’s own content suggests it was a competitive encounter. According to Tabla, both clubs fielded strong line‑ups.
Match 2: Arsenal vs Newcastle United
The headline result is Arsenal’s 3–2 victory over Newcastle United on July 27, confirmed by multiple sources (Mothership.SG, YouTube). The match featured goals from both sides and was described as an entertaining, high‑tempo pre‑season game.
The implication: The results are secondary to the preparation, but the close scoreline suggests the SFOF offers genuine competitive value rather than ceremonial friendlies.
Timeline of the Singapore Festival of Football
- – First edition: Liverpool, Tottenham, Leicester, Bayern Munich, AS Roma compete over eight days; attendance exceeds 130,000 (Playmaker.sg).
- – Second edition with Arsenal, Newcastle United, AC Milan at the National Stadium (SportPlus.sg).
- – Next edition confirmed as part of the five‑year partnership (Mothership.SG).
The implication: The festival has quickly established a regular cycle, with the next edition already locked for 2027, indicating strong demand from clubs and fans.
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- 2025 dates: July 23, 25, 27 (Mothership.SG, SportPlus.sg)
- Clubs: Arsenal, Newcastle United, AC Milan (Mothership.SG)
- Venue: National Stadium, Singapore (Everyday People SG)
- Arsenal 3–2 Newcastle result (Mothership.SG)
- Five‑year partnership (2025, 2027, 2029) (Mothership.SG)
- Tickets from S$108 via Ticketek (SportPlus.sg)
What’s unclear
- Exact history of the event before 2023
- Detailed ticket pricing beyond base rate
- Whether 2027 will feature same clubs
- Total attendance for 2025
- Full match results for all 2025 fixtures
- Exact lineup of the Arsenal vs AC Milan match
“Two exciting matches featuring three of Europe’s top clubs await you at the Singapore Festival of Football this July.”
“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.”
— Mothership.SG (citing official announcement)
“Highlights: Arsenal 3‑2 Newcastle | Singapore Festival of Football”
The festival is not just about the matches. Clubs host meet‑and‑greets, football clinics, charitable events, and merchandise activations during their stay (Tabla). For the 2025 edition, these off‑pitch activities were concentrated around the open training session on July 25.
What this means for visitors: The SFOF is as much a cultural gathering as a sports event. Families and casual fans who skip the match can still engage with club ambassadors and participate in football‑themed activities.
For Singapore as a host, the festival solidifies its role as a pre-season hub in Asia. For fans in the region, the choice is clear: secure tickets early for the next edition in 2027, or risk missing the chance to see world-class talent at close range.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Is the Singapore Festival of Football free to attend?
No, it’s a ticketed event. Match tickets start from S$108, and the open training session was priced from S$34.
Can I meet the players at the festival?
Yes, clubs organise meet‑and‑greets, football clinics and charitable events during their stay. Details are usually announced a few weeks before the event.
Are there live screenings for matches outside the stadium?
Typically not, but the festival’s official YouTube channel posts highlights and live streams of selected events.
How do I get to the National Stadium?
The stadium is a short walk from Kallang MRT station (Circle Line). Paid parking is available nearby but fills up fast on match days.
Are group discounts available for tickets?
Yes, hospitality packages and group rates are offered through Ticketek Singapore. Check the official vendor closer to the event.
Will the matches be broadcast on television?
Some broadcasters pick up the festival. In 2025, matches were available via select regional sports channels and the festival’s own digital platforms.
What COVID‑19 safety measures are in place?
For the 2025 edition, standard venue protocols applied: mask‑wearing while indoors and hand‑sanitising stations, though no major restrictions were reported.