The 2025/26 Singapore Premier League (SPL) kicks off a bold new era this August, with bigger squads, fiercer battles, and fresh opportunities for local talent.
Fans have witnessed the likes of top-quality foreign stars such as Belgian winger Maxime Lestienne and the record-breaking Tomoyuki Doi grace the league in recent years. This season, the stakes are even higher: clubs can now field seven foreign players at once, up from six – a move designed to lift the league’s standard and intensity.
With this in place, clubs have already reinforced their squads with high-calibre foreign talents. The Lion City Sailors made headlines across the region when they secured the services of prolific J-League striker Anderson Lopes, along with other eye-catching additions like midfield engine Tsiy Ndenge and Croatian shot-stopper Ivan Susak.
Elsewhere, BG Tampines Rovers’ signing of Maltese international Trent Buhagiar is already paying dividends, as the speedy winger announced himself with two goals and an assist on his debut, firing BG Tampines Rovers to the Community Shield. Hougang United can now call on the likes of Canadian Premier League winner Victor Blasco, while Tanjong Pagar United have added experienced heads like centre-back Aaron Evans and former A-League midfielder Jesse Daley.
With local development still a key focus, a minimum of four local players must be fielded in each starting lineup. This consistent exposure to high-quality play week in and week out will support the development of local players, aligning with the broader push to also raise the standard of the national team.
Alongside these changes, the brand-new SPL2 league debuts this season, giving young locals vital game time and a clear pathway to first-team football.
This year’s campaign features eight clubs, each playing 21 matches across a three-round format. All games take place from Friday to Monday — perfect for fans to catch the action live. With a more than doubled overall prize pool, fans can expect a season where every fixture is fiercely contested.
The action begins on 23 August with Albirex Niigata (S) taking on Balestier Khalsa at Jurong East Stadium, before the season’s first Eastern derby takes place as Tampines Rovers and Geylang International lock horns at Our Tampines Hub the next day. Lion City Sailors and Hougang United will round up Matchweek 1 at the same venue on 25 August.