2025–26 Singapore Premier League
Season | 2025–26 |
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Dates | 23 August 2025 – May 2026 |
← 2024–25 2026–27 →
All statistics correct as of 13 May 2025. |
The 2025–26 Singapore Premier League (also known as the AIA Singapore Premier League due to sponsorship reasons) is the 8th season of the Singapore Premier League, the top-flight Singaporean professional league for association football clubs, since its rebranding in 2018.
Lion City Sailors are the defending champions after winning the previous season.[1]
This season marks the first of the second league, Singapore Premier League 2.
Format
The following key changes were made to the rules from the 2025–26 season onwards: [2][3]
- Clubs must now register a combined squad for both the SPL and reserve league (SPL2), with a minimum of 36 and a maximum of 50 players. At least 25 local players are to be registered.
- Three round-robin format where each club will play each other 3 times in a season, instead of 4 last year.
- SPL will be scheduled from Friday to Monday & SPL 2 will be scheduled from Monday to Wednesday. All matches to kick off at 7.30pm.
- Clubs must field a minimum of four local players & maximum of seven foreigners in the SPL matches.
- SPL2 which serve as a “a developmental league" to replace U21 league. Clubs must field a minimum of six local players (including 4 U23) on the field at all times.
- First teamers and foreigners are allowed to play in the SPL2 but a minimum of six locals, four of whom must be Under-23, must be on the pitch at all times during matches.
- Prize increased from $290k to $600k and will be shared by the Top 6 teams instead of Top 4 teams last year.
The following key changes were made to the rules since the 2022 & 2023 & 2024–25 season:[4][5]
- Clubs will be equipped with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) devices - among other performance and tracking gear. Value of the sponsorship is worth around $620,000.[6]
- The requirement for local clubs to field a minimum of one Under-23 player of Singaporean nationality during the entire first half of a match has been lifted.
- The mandatory fitness tests for SPL players will transition to a more data-driven approach, facilitated through technical GPS tracking.
- Players shall be allocated jersey numbers 1 to 50 except for Young Lions who are allowed to allocate jersey numbers 1 to 80. A jersey number become available for allocation to new members after a player ceased to play for a club.[7] U21 players are allocated jersey numbers 51-80.
- VAR was introduced for the first time in Singapore league history starting 2023.
- Players get suspended for one match after 4, 7, and 9 yellow cards in a league, with a fine added after the 9th. A red card comes with a mandatory suspension of 1-6 matches, depending on the severity of the offence. Getting 2 red cards in the season results in a $1,000 fine and a possible harsher penalty from the Disciplinary Committee.
The transfer window will be as follows [8]
- 1st transfer window: 9 June 2025 to 31 August 2025
- 2nd transfer window: 1 January 2026 to 31 January 2026
Teams
A total of 8 teams compete in the league. Albirex Niigata (S) would function as a local team, starting from the 2024–25 season.[9][10] As such, they will be subjected to the same rules as Singapore based teams.
Changes
- On 26 March 2025, DPMM announced their intention to return to Malaysian Football after 17 years of absence.[11] On 22 May 2025, FAS confirmed that the team will not participate in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) after the 2024–25 season.[12][13]
Stadiums and locations
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Image | Team | Stadium | Capacity |
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Albirex Niigata (S) Tanjong Pagar United |
Jurong East Stadium | 2,700 | |
Lion City Sailors Balestier Khalsa |
Bishan Stadium | 10,000 | |
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Young Lions Hougang United |
Jalan Besar Stadium | 6,000 |
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Tampines Rovers Geylang International |
Our Tampines Hub | 5,100 |
Personnel, kit and sponsoring
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Team | Head coach | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Main Shirt sponsor | Other sponsors |
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Albirex Niigata (S) | ![]() |
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Balestier Khalsa | ![]() |
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BG Tampines Rovers | ![]() |
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Geylang International | ![]() |
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Hougang United | ![]() |
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Lion City Sailors | ![]() |
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Tanjong Pagar United | ![]() |
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Young Lions | ![]() |
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Coaching changes
Team | Outgoing head coach | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming head coach | Date of appointment |
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Tanjong Pagar United | ![]() |
Appointed to permanent role | 1 July 2025 | |||
Hougang United | ![]() |
Appointed to permanent role | 1 July 2025 | |||
Balestier Khalsa | ![]() |
End of contract | 31 May 2025 [29] | Pre-season | ![]() |
30 June 2025 [30] [31] |
BG Tampines Rovers | ![]() |
Mutual agreement | 17 June 2025 [32] | ![]() |
20 June 2025[17] | |
Young Lions | ![]() |
End of interim | 25 June 2025 | ![]() |
25 June 2025 [33] |
Foreign players
Clubs is to register a combined squad for both the Singapore Premier League (SPL) and the reserve league. The squad must comprise a minimum of 36 players to a maximum of 50 players, with at least 25 players being Singaporean. While there is no minimum number of foreign players a club must register, depending on the squad size, theoretically, a club can have 25 Singaporeans and 25 foreigners in their 50-player squad.
- Players name in bold indicates the players were registered during the mid-season transfer window.
- Players name in italics indicates the player were out of squad or left their respective clubs during the mid-season transfer window.
Club | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 | Player 5 | Player 6 | Player 7 | Player 8 | Player 9 | Player 10 | Player 11 | Player 12 | SPL2 players | Former / Unregistered players |
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Albirex Niigata (S) | ![]() |
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Balestier Khalsa | ![]() |
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BG Tampines Rovers | ![]() |
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Geylang International | ![]() |
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Hougang United | ![]() |
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Lion City Sailors | ![]() |
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Tanjong Pagar United | ![]() |
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Young Lions | ![]() |
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Results
League table
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Albirex Niigata (S) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualification for Champions League Two group stage |
2 | Balestier Khalsa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualification for Champions League Two play-off |
3 | BG Tampines Rovers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
4 | Geylang International | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
5 | Hougang United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
6 | Lion City Sailors | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
7 | Tanjong Pagar United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
8 | Young Lions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ineligible for AFC competition spots[a] |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of wins
Notes:
Fixtures and results
Statistics
Top scorers
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Top assists
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Own goal
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Hat-tricks
Note 4 Player scored 4 goals 5 Player scored 5 goals
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Clean sheets
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Penalty missed
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Referee's record
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Team's discipline
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Player's discipline
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Singapore Premier League Awards night winners
References
- ^ "Sailors bask in SPL title-winning joy at Jalan Besar".
- ^ "FAS introduces 'enhancements' to SPL, with increase in prize money and foreign player quota".
- ^ "Singapore Premier League introduces fine-tuned enhancements to improve competitiveness".
- ^ "Young footballers to take centrestage in revamped 2018 S-League". TODAYonline.
- ^ "SPL gears up for upcoming 2024-25 season".
- ^ "Football: Singapore Premier League clubs given wearable tech in bid to raise fitness, standards". The Straits Times. February 4, 2021.
- ^ "2021 SPL Handbook" (PDF).
- ^ "FIFA Transfer Window" (PDF).
- ^ Lin, Tianbao (13 September 2023). "Six-time champions Albirex Niigata to become local Singapore Premier League side from 2024". The Straits Times. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ Ng, Hong Siang (13 September 2023). "Singapore Premier League champions Albirex Niigata to 'become local club' in policy shift". Channel News Asia. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ "DPMM FC eager to return to Malaysian Football after 17 years of absence".
- ^ "Brunei DPMM to discontinue participation in SPL after 2024/25 season".
- ^ "Brunei DPMM will not participate in Singapore Premier League from next season: FAS".
- ^ "Keiji Shigetomi Renews Contract to Lead Albirex Niigata Singapore for 2025–2026 Season".
- ^ "Apparel wear partnership contract with Kelme for 2025-26 Season".
- ^ "ST understands that former Balestier player and coach Marko Kraljevic – who is Hougang United's head of youth development – is set to take over as their head coach".
- ^ a b "𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸, 𝗔𝗸𝗯𝗮𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘀 🦌".
- ^ "We are proud to introduce Warrix as the new Official Apparel Partner of Your Tampines Rovers 🦌".
- ^ "Noor to continue adventure with the Eagles - Geylang International FC". December 2, 2022.
- ^ "Shoutout to our main sponsor, Vector Green,".
- ^ "'SPL had Covid protocols right'". The Straits Times. February 6, 2021.
- ^ "Geylang International and Matsumoto Yamaga FC reaffirm strong ties". 30 October 2022.
- ^ "VOLTxHGFC VOLT officially partnered with HGU".
- ^ "Lion City Sailors appoint Aleksandar Ranković as new Head Coach". 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Lion City Sailors and adidas to chart a new course for 3 years from 2025/26 season".
- ^ "Football: Singapore tech firm Sea takes ownership of Home United; club changes name to Lion City Sailors FC". CNA. Archived from the original on 2021-02-26. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ^ "We're proud to announce Hummel as our official apparel sponsor for the 2025/26 season".
- ^ "Much in store for Singapore football in exciting second half of 2025".
- ^ "Balestier Khalsa's departing coach Peter de Roo urges FAS to get out of comfort zone to improve SPL".
- ^ "ST understands that former Balestier player and coach Marko Kraljevic – who is Hougang United's head of youth development – is set to take over as their head coach".
- ^ "Marko Kraljević Takes the Helm! 🐯".
- ^ "Singapore Premier League's youngest coach Gavin Lee leaves Tampines Rovers".
- ^ "New Young Lions coach Firdaus Kassim wants his team to regain connection with the fans".
- ^ "Katsuyuki Ishibashi joins Albirex Niigata FC (S) on Loan!".
- ^ "石橋克之選手 アルビレックス新潟シンガポールへ期限付き移籍のお知らせ".
- ^ "Komei Iida to Join Albirex Niigata (S) from Kyushu Sangyo University!".
- ^ "Naoki Yoshioka signs for 2025-26 season!". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- ^ "Nozomi Ozawa signs for 2025-26 season!". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- ^ "Ren Nishimura joins Albirex Niigata FC Singapore on Loan!".
- ^ "⻄村 蓮⾳選⼿ アルビレックス新潟シンガポールへ期限付き移籍のお知らせ".
- ^ "Shingo Nakano signs for 2025-26 season!".
- ^ "Takahiro Koga is coming to Albirex Niigata FC Singapore for 2025-26 season!".
- ^ "Takumi Yokohata to Join Albirex Niigata (S) from Kyushu Sangyo University!".
- ^ "Cho Eunsu is coming to Albirex Niigata FC Singapore for 2025-26 season!".
- ^ "チョ ウンス選手 移籍先決定のお知らせ".
- ^ "Kim Taeuk is coming to Albirex Niigata FC (S) for 2025-26 season!".
- ^ "Lee Dong Yeol joins Albirex Niigata FC Singapore on Loan!".
- ^ "李東烈選手 アルビレックス新潟シンガポールへ期限付き移籍のお知らせ".
- ^ "𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄, 𝐉𝐀𝐊𝐎𝐕 𝐊𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐒̌𝐀! 🇭🇷🪽".
- ^ "Mario Mustapić stigao u Singapur".
- ^ "𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄, 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐎 𝐒̌𝐔𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂́! 🇭🇷🛡️".
- ^ "𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄, 𝐓𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐂́! 🇭🇷🚀".
- ^ "Give it up for Yanir Yonanan Ben Eliezer! 🐯⚡".
- ^ "Masahiro Sugita has inked a contract extension with Balestier Khalsa!".
- ^ "balestierkhalsa 1d Bringing fresh energy to midfield, Tiago Barbosa Martins! ⚽🇵🇹".
- ^ "𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄, 𝐁𝐎𝐆𝐃𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐂́! 🇷🇸🔥".
- ^ "𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄, 𝐋𝐀𝐙𝐀𝐑 𝐕𝐔𝐉𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐂́! 🇷🇸⚔️".
- ^ "𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘅 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴".
- ^ "東川続選手 タンピネス・ローバースFCへ 期限付き移籍のお知らせ".
- ^ "風間宏矢選手の移籍先について".
- ^ "鷲見星河選手 タンピネス・ローバースFCへ 期限付き移籍のお知らせ".
- ^ "𝗦𝗵𝘂𝘆𝗮 𝗬𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱/𝟮𝟲 🦌".
- ^ "吉本武選手 移籍先決定のお知らせ".
- ^ "𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗵𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗮𝗿 🦌".
- ^ "Vincent Bezecourt pledges his commitment to the Eagles".
- ^ "Kaisei Ogawa is here".
- ^ "Welcome to the Eagles Nest, Riku".
- ^ "Ryoya is green 💚".
- ^ "Built with a winner's mentality, Shodai brings the fight here. Fleet-footed, box-to-box, and ready to run riot against anyone in his way ⚔️".
- ^ "Welcome our new forward, Jumbo".
- ^ "Ko Jaehyun touches down in Singapore".
- ^ "Nikola Ignjatovic is here".
- ^ "🟠🦁 Welcome to the Cheetah Family, Ryohei Yoshihama! 🇯🇵⚽".
- ^ "Welcome to the Cheetah Family, Yuma Suwa! 🦁🟠".
- ^ "Hougang United is proud to announce the signing of Japanese midfielder Yuta Kikuchi".
- ^ "We're proud to welcome Spanish playmaker Victor Blasco to Hougang United for the 2025/26 season! 🧡🇪🇸".
- ^ "New Signing Alert: Sam Strong 🇺🇸".
- ^ "Lion City Sailors are delighted to announce Australian centre-back Bailey Wright as the club's first mid season signing". 9 July 2023.
- ^ "Maxime Lestienne adds European pedigree to Sailors' ACL drive". 8 February 2022.
- ^ "Sailors bolster squad with signing of J1 League star Anderson Lopes".
- ^ "Lion City Sailors are delighted to announce the signing of German-Cameroonian midfielder Tsiy Ndenge on a two-year deal". Lion City Sailors.
- ^ "Sailors sign Croatian goalkeeper Ivan Sušak to boost 2025/2026 ambitions".
- ^ "Sailors charge up for 2024/25 campaign with signing of former LaLiga 2 defender Toni Datković". 21 February 2024.
- ^ "Cash register rings for PEC Zwolle due to the sale of Thy". 17 May 2024.
- ^ "Sailors add firepower with signing of German forward Lennart Thy".
- ^ "Josh Little promoted to senior squad". 7 August 2025.
- ^ "Sailors signal ambitions with signing of former Dutch Eredivisie star Bart Ramselaar". 26 February 2024.
- ^ "Lion City Sailors secure Diogo Costa on permanent five-year deal".
- ^ "Rui Pires signs to power Sailors' second foray into AFC Champions League". 14 July 2023.
- ^ "Welcome Aaron Evans 🇦🇺 to the Jaguars Den!".
- ^ "𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐉𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐘 🇦🇺 to the Jaguars Den!".
- ^ "welcome Bruno Dybal to the Jaguars Den!".
- ^ "𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐄 🇧🇷 to the Jaguars Den!".
- ^ a b c "Zenivio, Matt Silva & Shodai Nishikawa stay". www.instagram.com.
- ^ "The dynamic midfielder known as "Taiwan's Eden Hazard" has joined the Jaguars Den".
- ^ "welcome Kim Li Kwan to the Jaguars Den!".
- ^ "El Matador Has Landed 🇪🇸 in Tanjong Pagar's den".
- ^ "𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐘𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂 ! 🐆🟥⬜️".