Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore’s iconic artificial turf football ground and home to multiple Singapore Premier League clubs, is set to undergo a major transformation as it prepares to switch from artificial grass to natural turf.
The decision follows a directive from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) banning artificial pitches for all international-level competitions starting August 2025.
The renovation works at Jalan Besar are scheduled to begin in August 2025 and are expected to be completed by January 2026. The move marks a significant step for Singapore football infrastructure, as Jalan Besar has long been a historic venue known for hosting international fixtures and domestic league matches alike.
With international matches no longer allowed on artificial turf, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has already begun planning alternatives to ensure compliance with AFC regulations. For the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 campaign — which features Lion City Sailors and Tampines Rovers — FAS is in talks with AFC to play initial fixtures away from home.
For home matches, the Bishan Stadium is being prepared as an alternative venue. Bishan was previously used for the ACLTWO 2024/25 final, and offers a compliant playing surface. However, the stadium is currently undergoing track resurfacing works, which commenced recently and are expected to take at least 16 weeks to complete.
This transition reflects Singapore’s commitment to maintaining international standards and ensuring its clubs and national teams remain eligible to compete on Asia’s biggest stages.
Credit Photo : Jayden Seah/SNE-Photo
