2025–26 Singapore Premier League
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 23 August 2025 – May 2026 |
| AFC Champions League Two | Lion City Saillors |
| Matches | 23 |
| Goals | 90 (3.91 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Youssef Ezzejjari Hide Higashikawa Lennart Thy (5 goals each) |
| Biggest home win | BG Tampines Rovers 7–1 Young Lions (16 January 2026) |
| Biggest away win | Tanjong Pagar United 0–7 Lion City Sailors (22 September 2025) |
| Highest scoring | BG Tampines Rovers 7–1 Young Lions (16 January 2026) |
| Longest winning run | 6 matches Lion City Sailors |
| Longest unbeaten run | 6 matches Lion City Saillors |
| Longest winless run | 6 matches Young Lions |
| Longest losing run | 6 matches Young Lions |
← 2024–25 2026–27 →
All statistics correct as of 18 January 2026. | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albirex Niigata (S) Tanjong Pagar United Geylang International (MD2) Hougang United (MD4) |
Jurong East Stadium | 2,700 | |
| Lion City Sailors (until 30-Nov-25) Balestier Khalsa Hougang United (MD8, MD16, and from 10-Dec-25) |
Bishan Stadium | 10,000 | |
|
Young Lions Hougang United (Until 30-Nov-25) Lion City Sailors (from 10-Dec-25) |
Jalan Besar Stadium | 6,000 |
|
BG Tampines Rovers Geylang International Balestier Khalsa (MD1) Hougang United (MD3, MD5) Lion City Sailors (MD1) Young Lions (MD2, MD3, MD5) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albirex Niigata (S) | List
| ||||
| Balestier Khalsa | List
| ||||
| BG Tampines Rovers | List
| ||||
| Geylang International | List
| ||||
| Hougang United | List
| ||||
| Lion City Sailors | |||||
| Tanjong Pagar United | List
| ||||
| Young Lions | List
|
Coaching changes
| Team | Outgoing head coach | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming head coach | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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[25] | Pre-season | 30 June 2025[16][26] | ||
| BG Tampines Rovers | Mutual agreement | 17 June 2025[27] | 20 June 2025[28] | |||
| Young Lions | End of interim | 25 June 2025 | 25 June 2025[29] | |||
| BG Tampines Rovers | Mutual agreement | 11 September 2025[30] | 4th | 11 September 2025[31] | ||
| Hougang United | Mutual agreement | 27 October 2025 | 6th | 27 October 2025 | ||
| Lion City Sailors | Mutual agreement | 6 February 2026 [32] | 1st | 6 February 2026 [33] | ||
| BG Tampines Rovers | Mutual agreement | 14 February 2026[34] | 2nd | 14 February 2026[35] | ||
- ^ Akbar was subsequently announced as the TD of Hougang United on 22 Sept.
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.
- Players with SPL2 are registered mainly for SPL2 competition.
| Team | Players | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albirex Niigata (S) | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 | Player 5 | Player 6 | Player 7 | Player 8 | Player 9 |
| Player 10 | Player 11 | Player 12 | Player 13 | Player 14 | Player 15 | Player 16 | Former Players | ||
| Balestier Khalsa | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 | Player 5 | Player 6 | Player 7 | Player 8 | Player 9 |
| Player 10 | Player 11 | Player 12 | Player 13 | Player 14 | Player 15 | Player 16 | Former Players | ||
| BG Tampines Rovers | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 | Player 5 | Player 6 | Player 7 | Player 8 | Player 9 |
| Player 10 | Player 11 | Player 12 | Player 13 | Player 14 | Player 15 | Player 16 | Former Players | ||
| Geylang International | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 | Player 5 | Player 6 | Player 7 | Player 8 | Player 9 |
| Player 10 | Player 11 | Player 12 | Player 13 | Player 14 | Player 15 | Player 16 | Former Players | ||
| Hougang United | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 | Player 5 | Player 6 | Player 7 | Player 8 | Player 9 |
| Player 10 | Player 11 | Player 12 | Player 13 | Player 14 | Player 15 | Player 16 | Former Players | ||
| Lion City Sailors | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 | Player 5 | Player 6 | Player 7 | Player 8 | Player 9 |
| Player 10 | Player 11 | Player 12 | Player 13 | Player 14 | Player 15 | Player 16 | Former Players | ||
| Tanjong Pagar United | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 | Player 5 | Player 6 | Player 7 | Player 8 | Player 9 |
| Player 10 | Player 11 | Player 12 | Player 13 | Player 14 | Player 15 | Player 16 | Former Players | ||
| Young Lions FC | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 | Player 5 | Player 6 | Player 7 | Player 8 | Player 9 |
| Player 10 | Player 11 | Player 12 | Player 13 | Player 14 | Player 15 | Player 16 | Former Players | ||
Results
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lion City Sailors (X) | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 4 | +40 | 30 | Qualification for Champions League Two group stage |
| 2 | BG Tampines Rovers | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 8 | +17 | 23 | Qualification for Champions League Two play-off[a] |
| 3 | Albirex Niigata (S) | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 10 | +10 | 19 | |
| 4 | Geylang International | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 15 | −3 | 13 | |
| 5 | Hougang United | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 20 | −7 | 12 | |
| 6 | Balestier Khalsa | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 28 | −13 | 11 | |
| 7 | Tanjong Pagar United | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 12 | 31 | −19 | 4 | |
| 8 | Young Lions[b] | 10 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 32 | −25 | 1 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of wins
(X) Assured of least Champions League Two play-off
Notes:
- ^ Since the 2025–26 Singapore Cup winners, Lion City Saillors, occupy an AFC Champions League Two group stage position, the AFC Champions League Two play-off spot goes to the next eligible team.
- ^ Young Lions cannot qualify for AFC competitions.
Fixtures and results
Statistics
Top scorers
|
Top assists
|
Hat-tricks
Note 4 Player scored 4 goals
|
Clean sheets
|
Discipline
Club
- Most yellow cards: 13
- Tanjong Pagar United
- Fewest yellow cards: 5
- Lion City Sailors
- Most red cards: 3
- Hougang United
- Fewest red cards: 0
- Albirex Niigata (S)
- BG Tampines Rovers
- Lion City Sailors
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".
- ^ a b "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".
- ^ "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,".
- ^ "VOLTxHGFC VOLT officially partnered with HGU".
- ^ "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".
- ^ "Marko Kraljević Takes the Helm! 🐯".
- ^ "Singapore Premier League's youngest coach Gavin Lee leaves Tampines Rovers".
- ^ "𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸, 𝗔𝗸𝗯𝗮𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘀 🦌".
- ^ "New Young Lions coach Firdaus Kassim wants his team to regain connection with the fans".
- ^ "BG Tampines Rovers replace head coach Akbar Nawas after 83 days and unbeaten start to season".
- ^ "Ex-Lion Noh Rahman looks to exert quiet influence after taking the reins at BG Tampines Rovers".
- ^ "Early exit for Lion City Sailors head coach Aleksandar Rankovic".
- ^ "Lion City Sailors part ways with Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković".
- ^ "Coach Noh Rahman leaves BG Tampines Rovers, club hunts for 3rd coach this season".
- ^ "Ex-Lion Noh Rahman looks to exert quiet influence after taking the reins at BG Tampines Rovers".
- ^ "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!".
- ^ "Takumi Yokohata to Join Albirex Niigata (S) from Kyushu Sangyo University!".
- ^ "Takahiro Koga is coming to Albirex Niigata FC Singapore for 2025-26 season!".
- ^ "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!".
- ^ "Ryang Hyonju will join Albirex Niigata FC (S) on a Permanent Transfer from Veertien Mie".
- ^ "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".
- ^ "Masahiro Sugita has inked a contract extension with Balestier Khalsa!".
- ^ "𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄, 𝐉𝐀𝐊𝐎𝐕 𝐊𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐒̌𝐀! 🇭🇷🪽".
- ^ "Mario Mustapić stigao u Singapur".
- ^ "𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄, 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐎 𝐒̌𝐔𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂́! 🇭🇷🛡️".
- ^ "𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄, 𝐓𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐂́! 🇭🇷🚀".
- ^ "𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄, 𝐁𝐎𝐆𝐃𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐂́! 🇷🇸🔥".
- ^ "𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄, 𝐋𝐀𝐙𝐀𝐑 𝐕𝐔𝐉𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐂́! 🇷🇸⚔️".
- ^ "Give it up for Yanir Yonanan Ben Eliezer! 🐯⚡".
- ^ "balestierkhalsa 1d Bringing fresh energy to midfield, Tiago Barbosa Martins! ⚽🇵🇹".
- ^ "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".
- ^ "元日本代表MF小林祐希「凄くワクワク」 JFL→シンガポール1部に新加入「国際大会にも」".
- ^ "𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗵𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗮𝗿 🦌".
- ^ "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".
- ^ "Vincent Bezecourt pledges his commitment to the Eagles".
- ^ "Nikola Ignjatovic is here".
- ^ "Welcome to the Cheetah Family, Yuma Suwa! 🦁🟠".
- ^ "We're proud to welcome Spanish playmaker Victor Blasco to Hougang United for the 2025/26 season! 🧡🇪🇸".
- ^ "New Signing Alert: Sam Strong 🇺🇸".
- ^ "Hougang United is proud to announce the signing of Japanese midfielder Yuta Kikuchi".
- ^ "🟠🦁 Welcome to the Cheetah Family, Ryohei Yoshihama! 🇯🇵⚽".
- ^ "Lion City Sailors are delighted to announce Australian centre-back Bailey Wright as the club's first mid season signing". 9 July 2023.
- ^ "Sailors bolster squad with signing of J1 League star Anderson Lopes".
- ^ "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".
- ^ "Lion City Sailors are delighted to announce the signing of German-Cameroonian midfielder Tsiy Ndenge on a two-year deal". Lion City Sailors.
- ^ "Sailors signal ambitions with signing of former Dutch Eredivisie star Bart Ramselaar". 26 February 2024.
- ^ "Sailors secure signing of Serbian winger Luka Adžić". Lion City Sailors.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Drama v finalu singapurskega pokala: Bivši vratar Maribora podal za gol, Benjamin Žerak na klopi, vse v senci hude napake poražencev".
- ^ "Josh Little promoted to senior squad". 7 August 2025.
- ^ "Maxime Lestienne adds European pedigree to Sailors' ACL drive". 8 February 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Lee Chan-woo joins as new foreigner!".
- ^ "The dynamic midfielder known as "Taiwan's Eden Hazard" has joined the Jaguars Den".
- ^ "𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐘𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂 ! 🐆🟥⬜️".
- ^ "Our last addition to complete the squad Lim Hyun-Sub joins the Jaguars on loan from Suwon Samsung Bluewings!".
- ^ "El Matador Has Landed 🇪🇸 in Tanjong Pagar's den".

