Football Association of Singapore

• SPL will be an eight-team, three-round league
• SPL2 to replace Under-21 league
• Single squad of between 36 and 50 players for SPL and SPL2 competitions
• Minimum of four local players to be on field at all times in SPL; minimum of six local players, four of those to be U23, in SPL2
• Total prize money to increase from $290,000 to $600,000
• 2025/26 season begins with the Community Shield on 16 Aug, followed by SPL’s first round on 23 Aug

SINGAPORE, 2 JULY 2025 – The Singapore Premier League (SPL) will introduce a series of calibrated adjustments to its structure and regulations ahead of the 2025/26 season, with the aim of strengthening competition and refining developmental pathways for local talent. These changes, set to take effect when the season kicks off in mid-August, are part of ongoing efforts to raise the overall standard of the league while supporting long-term National Team objectives.

A more competitive SPL framework

The upcoming 2025/26 SPL season will adopt a three-round format involving eight teams and 21 matches per club—totalling 84 matches across the campaign. All matches will be played between Friday and Monday evenings, with kick-offs scheduled at 7.30pm to support consistent fan engagement.

A key adjustment this season is a refined foreign player policy: SPL clubs will now be allowed to field up to seven foreign players on the pitch simultaneously, an increase from the previous limit of six per matchday squad. This is intended to enhance the quality of competition by introducing higher levels of tactical and technical play.

To ensure a continued emphasis on local development, clubs must field at least four Singaporean players at all times. This measure aims to preserve developmental opportunities for local footballers while allowing them to benefit from exposure to more demanding match conditions.

Alongside these changes, clubs will now register a single, expanded squad across both the SPL and the new Singapore Premier League 2 (SPL2) competition (explained below). Each squad must consist of a minimum of 36 and up to a maximum of 50 players, including at least 25 Singaporeans—up from the previous season’s range of 18 to 25 players. This consolidated model provides greater flexibility for clubs to manage squad depth and transitions between development and first-team football.

Supporting National Team development through league standards

These adjustments are aligned with broader objectives to improve the performance and preparedness of Singaporean players for the National Team. By raising the competitive threshold of the SPL, local players will be exposed to a more demanding environment that supports technical growth, physical performance, and tactical awareness.

The requirement for Singaporean players to feature consistently in every SPL match ensures they remain integral to team structures, while the presence of high-quality foreign talent is expected to serve as both a challenge and a benchmark for improvement.

Increased prize pool to incentivise performance

To further support the competitive environment, the total prize money for the SPL has been increased to $600,000, more than doubling last season’s allocation of $290,000.

• The league champions will now receive $200,000, up from $150,000.
• The second-placed team will receive $150,000, with prize allocations extending down to the sixth-placed club to incentivise stronger performances throughout the table.

This enhanced reward structure is designed to encourage consistent performance across the season, making every point truly matter.

SPL2: A more integrated developmental platform

A key part of this season’s structural fine-tuning is the introduction of Singapore Premier League 2 (SPL2). Replacing the Centre of Excellence (COE) Under-21 competition, SPL2 will offer a more robust developmental platform closely integrated with each club’s senior team.

The SPL2 is a developmental yet competitive league that works in tandem with the SPL, offering:

• A structured platform for emerging talent to compete in a high-performance setting.
• A clear link between development and first-team football, with squads integrated across both competitions.
• A minimum on-field requirement of six local players per team, with four Under-23s at all times, ensuring that developmental goals remain at the core.

In addition, SPL2 will allow senior players to participate where appropriate, helping them regain fitness or form. Matches will be scheduled from Monday to Wednesday, offering a complementary rhythm to the SPL fixture window and ensuring consistent playing time across the wider player pool.

This structure aligns with both club needs and national development goals by expanding the base of competitive opportunities while keeping quality and progression at the forefront.

Laying foundations for sustained improvement

The set of refinements to the SPL and the introduction of SPL2 reflect an ongoing commitment to the holistic development of Singapore football. By focusing on structured competition, appropriate player progression, and targeted investments in quality, these measures aim to strengthen the league’s foundation while supporting the long-term growth of the National Team.

These changes were formulated following discussions with SPL club chairmen, who reviewed the proposed adjustments and reached a collective agreement to proceed with implementation for the 2025/26 season. This unified approach underscores a shared commitment to shaping a more effective and competitive league structure moving forward.

The 2025/26 season will kick off with the Community Shield match on 16 August 2025, featuring Lion City Sailors FC and BG Tampines Rovers FC, before the first round of SPL matches begins on 23 August 2025.