Along with Thailand and Vietnam, Singapore join a select group of nations set to host group stage matches at the AFF Suzuki Cup for the fifth time.

One of the founding members of the ASEAN Football Federation, the nation has four AFF Suzuki Cup titles to their name and is a country synonymous with Southeast Asian football.

In addition to that proud history, the island nation also boasts one of the most modern venues anywhere in Asia in the eye-catching National Stadium at Kallang and with a vibrant cultural edge and a welcoming people, Singapore is sure to be right at the centre of the six-week festival of football.

City: Singapore

Population: 5.6 million

Currency: Singapore Dollar (1SGD = 0.73 USD)

Stadium: National Stadium, Kallang

Local clubs: All domestic Singapore Premier League teams

Regarded as a financial, trade and innovation hub, Singapore is one of the wealthiest and most modern nations in Asia but with a rich and lengthy cultural tradition it’s also the ideal blend of old and new and a perfect multicultural melting pot that will surely give a warm welcome to all Southeast Asian football fans.

What to do: With a plethora of local markets and dazzling malls there’s enough shopping choices to last a lifetime whilst Marina Bay and Sentosa have a wealth of leisure and relaxation options.

Perhaps the most iconic attraction though is the water-gushing Merlion – but be warned you will likely have to battle large crowds to get the kind of picture you want.

What to eat: Chilli Crab - In a nation as culturally diverse as Singapore it’s hard to select just the one option, given the extensive array of Chinese, Indian & Malay-influenced dishes.


Perhaps the option that most visitors really want to sample though is the famed chilli crab, with the crab boiled or fried and cooked in a kind of chilli-based sauce and then eaten with various types of bread that can be used to soak up the sauce.

Useful phrases: With English being the national language there are no concerns here, although having a smattering of Malay, Chinese or Tamil could come in handy in various parts of the city state.

Where to watch the other games: Whilst the areas around Orchard Road have plenty of bars likely to be showing the AFF Suzuki Cup action, the Boat Quay and Clarke Quay districts are also packed with restaurants, bars and cafes where you’re sure to find a television with the matches on and plenty of locals keen to discuss all the leading events.

Where to stay: Although Singapore is one of the more expensive of the host cities budget options can still be found with the more upscale options located around Orchard Road, Marina Bay and Clarke Quay.

Stadium access: Not only is the dazzling new National Stadium a truly state-of-the-art venue it’s also directly connected with a dedicated train station – Stadium MRT – which deposits you directly into the broader Singapore Sports Hub area.

Inside knowledge: Aleksandar Duric (2012 AFF Suzuki Cup winner, three-time S.League Player of the Year)

One of the most prolific goalscorers in both the domestic league and for the national team, Duric is a one of the greatest all-time Singaporean forwards and here he shares a couple of tips to make your visit to the nation complete.

  • Singapore is a wonderful place with so many things to do but definitely you can’t miss going to the Singapore Zoo, Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands where we have one of the world’s tallest swimming pools (340 metres up in the air!)
  • Opposite Marina Bay Sands is the Garden by the Bay where you can see all kinds of trees, flowers and plants from all around the world
  • The food is honestly amazing with a lot of mixes of culture and for fans that visit Singapore they have to eat as much as they can
  • It’s also very easy to get around the country with metros and taxis that are cheap and convenient and that cover all areas, so welcome to Singapore!