National Stadium, Singapore
Encyclopedia
The Singapore
National Stadium (Malay: Stadium Nasional Singapura) was located in Kallang
. Opened in July 1973, the National Stadium was officially closed on 30 June 2007 and has demolished to make way for the Singapore Sports Hub
and New Singapore National Stadium
which is expected to open in 2014.
The stadium has played host to many sporting, cultural, entertainment and national events, such as the Southeast Asian Games
when it was hosted in Singapore, the Singapore Armed Forces Day, the Singapore Youth Festival
Opening Ceremony, and the finals of the 2004 Tiger Cup
. The National Stadium has also been the venue for the National Day Parade
18 times (in 1976, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996 to 1999, 2001 to 2004, and 2006).
Ever since the stadium opened in 1973, the Singapore national football team
has played its home matches here. It has also hosted the final of the Singapore Cup
since 1996. Additionally, the stadium was the home of the representative team
that participated in domestic football in Malaysia.
While the facilities were often used for high-profile sporting events, they could also be used by members of the public and other local organizations for a nominal fee. For example, when not otherwise used, the running track could be used by joggers for S$0.50 per entry.
The headquarters of the Singapore Sports Council
used to be located at 15 Stadium Road.
Soon after the end of the Second World War, as Singapore moved towards self-government and independence, the clamour began for a national stadium.
Preliminary studies of possible sites began in the 1950s. Kallang Park was selected because of existing sport facilities in the immediate vicinity. In August 1965, preliminary work on the design of the Stadium began. By the end of 1965, considerable progress having been made to shelter people, educate the young and to find jobs for the swelling population, Minister Othman Wok announced the Government's intention to proceed with the construction of a National Stadium of Olympic standard at Kallang, as the first phase of the National Sports Complex. The Minister told Parliament that the National Stadium would give a tremendous boost to the promotion of sports in Singapore and would help improve the Republic's image in international sports.
, was set up in 1968 to raise funds for the stadium. Proceeds from the Singapore Sweep and TOTO were used to pay a substantial part of the construction bill. Between 1968–1976, the company contributed S$14.5 million towards the project. Singapore Pools also helped the Stadium repay a government loan of $7.8 million meant as start-up money for a stadium management corporation . Today, Singapore Pools is still a major sponsor for the National Stadium, as well as the National Day Parade.
in its place. Demolition works are expected to begin in the second half of 2007, and the new Sports Hub planned for completion in 2012. Three finalist consortia have submitted their plans, which are currently being evaluated.
The 2007 ASEAN Football Championship was the last major event held at the National Stadium before its redevelopment.
S R Nathan, members of the Cabinet
and Singapore athletes, past and present. Before the ceremony, a football match featuring ex-internationals from Singapore and Malaysia like Quah Kim Song
, T. Pathmanathan, Samat Allapitchay, V. Sundramoorthy
, David Lee, Dollah Kassim
, Soh Chin Aun
, Santokh Singh
, Chow Siew Wai and K. Gunalan was played.
The match was followed by the highlight of the evening, an international friendly between ASEAN champions Singapore
and the Asian Cup bound Australian team, the Socceroos. The Australians won 3-0 with goals scored by English Premier League players Mark Viduka
(50, 86 mins) and Harry Kewell
(75 min).
This will not have been the last football match to be played in the stadium as it will still be used for 11 football matches. The very last goal scored at the stadium was scored by Gholamreza Rezaei
of Iran
in a 1-3 loss for the hosts against the Iranian national team in an Asian Cup qualifying match on 6 January 2010.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
National Stadium (Malay: Stadium Nasional Singapura) was located in Kallang
Kallang
Kallang is an urban planning area and a subdivision located in the southeastern part of Singapore.It is probably best known for being the location of the Singapore Indoor Stadium & the old National Stadium, as well as the new Singapore Sports Hub...
. Opened in July 1973, the National Stadium was officially closed on 30 June 2007 and has demolished to make way for the Singapore Sports Hub
Singapore Sports Hub
The Singapore Sports Hub is a proposed sports complex located in Kallang, Singapore to be built on the present site of the National Stadium, which was officially closed on 30 June 2007 and demolition started on 29 September 2010...
and New Singapore National Stadium
New Singapore National Stadium
New Singapore National Stadium is a stadium currently under construction in Kallang, Singapore. It is due to open in 2014 and will have a capacity of 55,000 spectators. It will be the new home of Singapore national football team as well as some matches for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. It is being...
which is expected to open in 2014.
The stadium has played host to many sporting, cultural, entertainment and national events, such as the Southeast Asian Games
Southeast Asian Games
The Southeast Asian Games , is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia...
when it was hosted in Singapore, the Singapore Armed Forces Day, the Singapore Youth Festival
Singapore Youth Festival
The Singapore Youth Festival is an annual event in Singapore organised by the Ministry of Education to celebrate the achievements of youths in co-curricular activities...
Opening Ceremony, and the finals of the 2004 Tiger Cup
2004 Tiger Cup
The 2004 Tiger Cup was jointly hosted by Vietnam and Malaysia from 7 December to 16 January 2005 and participated by the national football teams of Southeast Asia....
. The National Stadium has also been the venue for the National Day Parade
National Day Parade
The Singapore National Day Parade is a national ceremony in Singapore that, as its name implies, includes a parade on Singapore's National Day on August 9, in commemoration of Singapore's independence that is usually held at the Padang , the National Stadium, various decentalized venues all over...
18 times (in 1976, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996 to 1999, 2001 to 2004, and 2006).
Ever since the stadium opened in 1973, the Singapore national football team
Singapore national football team
The Singapore national football team is the national association football team of Singapore. The team comes under the organization of the Football Association of Singapore...
has played its home matches here. It has also hosted the final of the Singapore Cup
Singapore Cup
The Singapore Cup is an annual soccer competition in Singapore.The Singapore Cup is the major cup competition in Singapore football, and has existed since the 1997 ....
since 1996. Additionally, the stadium was the home of the representative team
Singapore Lions
The Singapore Lions is the name given to a representative team of footballers representing the Football Association of Singapore in domestic competitions run by the Football Association of Malaysia...
that participated in domestic football in Malaysia.
Facilities
The National Stadium had an 8-lane running track and football field in addition to other miscellaneous facilities such as table tennis tables, a weights room and an auditorium, housed underneath the spectator stands.While the facilities were often used for high-profile sporting events, they could also be used by members of the public and other local organizations for a nominal fee. For example, when not otherwise used, the running track could be used by joggers for S$0.50 per entry.
The headquarters of the Singapore Sports Council
Singapore Sports Council
The Singapore Sports Council is a statutory board under the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports of the Singapore Government...
used to be located at 15 Stadium Road.
Conceptualisation
Preliminary studies of possible sites began in the 1950s. Kallang Park was selected because of existing sport facilities in the immediate vicinity. In August 1965, preliminary work on the design of the Stadium began. By the end of 1965, considerable progress having been made to shelter people, educate the young and to find jobs for the swelling population, Minister Othman Wok announced the Government's intention to proceed with the construction of a National Stadium of Olympic standard at Kallang, as the first phase of the National Sports Complex. The Minister told Parliament that the National Stadium would give a tremendous boost to the promotion of sports in Singapore and would help improve the Republic's image in international sports.
Funding
A state-owned lottery company, Singapore PoolsSingapore Pools
Singapore Pools is the only legal lottery operator in Singapore, incorporated in 1968 to curb illegal gambling. It provides a legal avenue for betting in Singapore....
, was set up in 1968 to raise funds for the stadium. Proceeds from the Singapore Sweep and TOTO were used to pay a substantial part of the construction bill. Between 1968–1976, the company contributed S$14.5 million towards the project. Singapore Pools also helped the Stadium repay a government loan of $7.8 million meant as start-up money for a stadium management corporation . Today, Singapore Pools is still a major sponsor for the National Stadium, as well as the National Day Parade.
Construction
On 7 December 1966 in the year that Singapore celebrated its first National Day, Minister Othman drove the first pile into the ground. For the next three and a half years, piling was done to lay the foundations. Work had to be delayed due to bad weather for about a month. By the end of 1970, the stadium was three-quarters completed and was starting to take its definitive shape. Thirty-six steps, each 76 metres wide, formed an impressive entrance and a cauldron was built within the stadium to carry a flame that would burn on special events and on the opening of the National Stadium of Singapore. By the end of June 1973, 300,000 bags of cement, 3,000,000 bricks and 4,500 tons of steel and timber had been used and the stadium was completed. On 19 July 1973 the new stadium was opened to the public for the first time.Redevelopment
Plans have been made to demolish the stadium and build the multi-purpose, 35.6 hectare Singapore Sports HubSingapore Sports Hub
The Singapore Sports Hub is a proposed sports complex located in Kallang, Singapore to be built on the present site of the National Stadium, which was officially closed on 30 June 2007 and demolition started on 29 September 2010...
in its place. Demolition works are expected to begin in the second half of 2007, and the new Sports Hub planned for completion in 2012. Three finalist consortia have submitted their plans, which are currently being evaluated.
The 2007 ASEAN Football Championship was the last major event held at the National Stadium before its redevelopment.
Closure
On 30 June 2007, a closing ceremony titled Field of Dreams – A Tribute to the National Stadium was held at the National Stadium. 45,000 people attended the event, together with PresidentPresident of Singapore
The President of the Republic of Singapore is Singapore's head of state. In a Westminster parliamentary system, as which Singapore governs itself, the prime minister is the head of the government while the position of president is largely ceremonial. Before 1993, the President of Singapore was...
S R Nathan, members of the Cabinet
Members of the Singapore Parliament
The following is a historical list of members for the current and past ten Parliaments of Singapore:-See also:*1st Parliament of Singapore*2nd Parliament of Singapore*3rd Parliament of Singapore*4th Parliament of Singapore*5th Parliament of Singapore...
and Singapore athletes, past and present. Before the ceremony, a football match featuring ex-internationals from Singapore and Malaysia like Quah Kim Song
Quah Kim Song
Quah Kim Song is a Singaporean footballer, part of the footballing Quah family.Quah's swift agility earned him the nickname "Mercurial Speed Demon" by fans and media.Quah was named Footballer of the Year in 1974 and Player of the Year in 1976....
, T. Pathmanathan, Samat Allapitchay, V. Sundramoorthy
V. Sundramoorthy
V. Sundramoorthy is a retired Singaporean footballer in the 1980s and 1990s, and widely touted as one of the country's most skillful and talented footballers ever.-Playing Career:...
, David Lee, Dollah Kassim
Dollah Kassim
Dollah Kassim was one of the most famous Singaporean footballers during the 1970s. In 1977, he helped Singapore bring the Malaysia Cup to the country....
, Soh Chin Aun
Soh Chin Aun
Datuk Soh Chin Aun ; born July 28, 1950) is a Malaysian Chinese national football player from Malacca alongside the late Mokhtar Dahari and R. Arumugam. He was known as Tauke or Towkay by his team mate and fans....
, Santokh Singh
Santokh Singh
Santokh Singh was a Malaysian national football player from Selangor. He played alongside the late Mokhtar Dahari, Soh Chin Aun and R. Arumugam. He participated in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games and one of qualifying team to the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. His partnership with Soh Chin Aun was the...
, Chow Siew Wai and K. Gunalan was played.
The match was followed by the highlight of the evening, an international friendly between ASEAN champions Singapore
Singapore national football team
The Singapore national football team is the national association football team of Singapore. The team comes under the organization of the Football Association of Singapore...
and the Asian Cup bound Australian team, the Socceroos. The Australians won 3-0 with goals scored by English Premier League players Mark Viduka
Mark Viduka
Mark Anthony Viduka is a former Australian soccer player who played as a centre forward. He captained the Australian national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany to the last 16.-Melbourne Croatia:...
(50, 86 mins) and Harry Kewell
Harry Kewell
Harold "Harry" Kewell is an Australian professional football midfielder who plays for Melbourne Victory in the A-League. Internationally he has received 55 caps, and scored 16 goals, while playing for the Australian national team...
(75 min).
This will not have been the last football match to be played in the stadium as it will still be used for 11 football matches. The very last goal scored at the stadium was scored by Gholamreza Rezaei
Gholamreza Rezaei
Gholamreza Rezaei is an Iranian Football Striker who currently plays for Persepolis in the Iran Pro League- Club career :He started his career in Fajr Sepasi in his hometown, Shiraz, where he was introduced to Iranian Football. after showing his talent in Fajr, he was bought by Tehrani wealthy...
of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
in a 1-3 loss for the hosts against the Iranian national team in an Asian Cup qualifying match on 6 January 2010.
Timeline
The stadium's 44-year history is as follows:- 1966
- December: Work begins on the S$50 million complex.
- 1971
- 4 June: PresidentPresident of SingaporeThe President of the Republic of Singapore is Singapore's head of state. In a Westminster parliamentary system, as which Singapore governs itself, the prime minister is the head of the government while the position of president is largely ceremonial. Before 1993, the President of Singapore was...
Benjamin Sheares visits stadium before completion.
- 4 June: President
- 1973
- 17 June: First event at the stadium – an international hockeyHockeyHockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
friendlyExhibition gameAn exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
between Singapore and AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Australia wins 3-0. - 24 June: First football match – Sultan's Gold Cup final between Singapore Malays and KelantanKelantanKelantan is a state of Malaysia. The capital and royal seat is Kota Bharu. The Arabic honorific of the state is Darul Naim, ....
Malays. Singapore wins 4-1 in front of a 32,000-strong crowd. - 21 July: Official opening by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan YewLee Kuan YewLee Kuan Yew, GCMG, CH is a Singaporean statesman. He was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, governing for three decades...
. - 1–8 September: Hosts the 7th Southeast Asian Peninsular Games. Singapore wins 45 golds, 50 silvers and 45 bronzes. Singapore football team reach semi-finals before losing 3-5 on penaltiesPenalty kickA penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
to South VietnamSouth VietnamSouth Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, after a 1-1 draw in extra-time. - 17 September: Practice track and tennis courtTennis courtA tennis court is where the game of tennis is played. It is a firm rectangular surface with a low net stretched across the center. The same surface can be used to play both doubles and singles.-Dimensions:...
s are open to public. - 24 October: BoxingBoxingBoxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
great Muhammad AliMuhammad AliMuhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
fights in a five-round exhibition bout.
- 17 June: First event at the stadium – an international hockey
- 1976
- 28 January: Former PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
first ladyFirst LadyFirst Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
, Imelda MarcosImelda MarcosImelda R. Marcos is a Filipino politician and widow of 10th Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Upon the ascension of her husband to political power, she held various positions to the government until 1986...
, visits in a Rolls RoyceRolls-Royce (car)This a list of Rolls-Royce motor cars and includes vehicles produced by:*Rolls-Royce Limited *Rolls-Royce Motors , which was owned by Vickers between 1980 and 1998, and after that by Volkswagen...
. - 9 August: Stadium hosts first National Day ParadeNational Day ParadeThe Singapore National Day Parade is a national ceremony in Singapore that, as its name implies, includes a parade on Singapore's National Day on August 9, in commemoration of Singapore's independence that is usually held at the Padang , the National Stadium, various decentalized venues all over...
(NDP).
- 28 January: Former Philippines
- 1977
- 13 May: Tragedy at stadium, as a mass stampede occurs at the ticketing booths before the Malaysia CupMalaysia CupThe Malaysia Cup is an annual association football tournament in Malaysia. It is currently the longest-running football competition in Asia...
final between Singapore and SelangorSelangorSelangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
. One man dies as he suffers a fatal heart attack, and 44 are injured. - 13 July: Scottish football giants CelticCeltic F.C.Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
beat Singapore 5-0 in Metro Quadrangular.
- 13 May: Tragedy at stadium, as a mass stampede occurs at the ticketing booths before the Malaysia Cup
- 1983
- 28 May-6 June: Singapore hosts the Southeast Asian GamesSoutheast Asian GamesThe Southeast Asian Games , is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia...
, winning 38 golds, 38 silvers and 58 bronzes. Football team, led by Fandi AhmadFandi AhmadFandi bin Ahmad is a football coach and former professional footballer from Singapore. During his playing career, he enjoyed success playing in both Europe and Asia, and was captain of the Singapore national football team...
and V. SundramoorthyV. SundramoorthyV. Sundramoorthy is a retired Singaporean footballer in the 1980s and 1990s, and widely touted as one of the country's most skillful and talented footballers ever.-Playing Career:...
, reach their first final but are beaten 1-2 by ThailandThailandThailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. - Friday, 2 December: David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
performs with his band, Carlos AlomarCarlos AlomarCarlos Alomar is an American guitarist, composer and arranger best known for his work with David Bowie, having played on more Bowie albums than any other musician...
, Carmine RojasCarmine RojasCarmine Rojas, Bassist, Musical Director, Composer & Producer born February 14, 1953, Brooklyn, NY.With the efforts and support of his family, friends and professional relationships, Carmine has traveled the World earning the reputation as one of the most renowned and respected bass players in the...
, Tony ThompsonTony ThompsonAnthony T. "Tony" Thompson was a session drummer best known as a member of Chic. He was raised in the middle-class community of Springfield Gardens, in Queens, NY.-Chic:...
, Earl SlickEarl SlickEarl Slick is a guitarist best known for his collaborations with David Bowie, Jim Diamond and Robert Smith, although he has also worked with other artists , John Waite, and even released some solo recordings.In the early 1970s, Earl Slick gained his...
, Frank SimmsFrank SimmsFrank Simms is an American singer and voice-over artist known for providing the voices behind such iconic characters as the Kool-Aid Man, the Honeycomb Craver, the bug-eyed, fuzzy mascot of Honeycomb cereal, and the Geico ringtone. He is one of the founding members and songwriters of The Simms...
, George Simms, Lenny Pickett, Stan HarrisonStan HarrisonStan Harrison is an American saxophonist who is also accomplished in playing other woodwind instruments, namely the horn, flute and clarinet. He has also written music for television. Harrison released his first solo album The Ties That Blind in 2000 on his own record label...
, Steve Elson, and David Lebolt in The Serious Moonlight Tour. Tour promoter, Dr Goh.
- 28 May-6 June: Singapore hosts the Southeast Asian Games
- 1986
- 26 July: Rock star David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
performs. - 20 November: PopePopeThe Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
John Paul II makes first visit to Singapore, and conducts massMass (liturgy)"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
.
- 26 July: Rock star David Bowie
- 1988
- 18 May: Pop starPop Star"Pop Star" is a 2005 single from Japanese singer Ken Hirai. The single went on to top the 2005 Oricon Charts and is known for its remarkable music video, featuring Ken in seven different personas, including a raccoon and his own manager. The Video also helped Ken break into the US and Canadian...
Stevie WonderStevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
performs.
- 18 May: Pop star
- 1990
- 30 March: ArsenalArsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
beat South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
2-1 in the Caltex Cup, a match to commemorate Singapore's 25th year of independenceIndependenceIndependence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
.
- 30 March: Arsenal
- 1993
- 18 March: Singapore beat J-League club Nagoya Grampus EightNagoya Grampus Eightare a Japanese association football club that play in the J. League. Based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture and originally founded as the company team of the Toyota Motor Corp...
4-3 in a friendly. - 12–20 June: Singapore hosts Southeast Asian Games, winning 50 golds, 40 silvers and 74 bronzes. Football team lose 4-5 to MyanmarMyanmarBurma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
in semi-finals on penalties. They lead 2-0 before Lim Tong HaiLim Tong HaiLim Tong Hai was a defender for the Singapore national football team from 1990 to 1999, and is now the team manager of Geylang United of the S.League.-Club career:...
scores two own goalOwn goalAn own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
s. - 29 August: The Late King of Pop, Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, performs, drawing 90,000 spectators and S$9 million in ticket sales.
- 18 March: Singapore beat J-League club Nagoya Grampus Eight
- 1995
- 20 May: English football club Nottingham Forest beat Singapore 3-1 in a friendly.
- 26 May: Singapore beat English football club TottenhamTottenham Hotspur F.C.Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
4-2 on penalties in a friendly, drawing 1-1 at full-time.
- 1996
- 1 April: Then-Prime MinisterPrime Minister of SingaporeThe Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore is the head of the government of the Republic of Singapore. The President of Singapore appoints as Prime Minister a Member of Parliament who, in his opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of a majority of MPs.The office of Prime Minister...
Goh Chok TongGoh Chok TongGoh Chok Tong is the Senior Minister of Singapore and the chairman of the central bank of Singapore, the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He also served as the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from 28 November 1990 to 12 August 2004, succeeding Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime...
is guest-of-honour at S-League's opening ceremonyOpening ceremonyAn opening ceremony is the official opening of a building or event. The opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup are huge events involving thousands of participants and watched by a massive worldwide audience. On a much smaller scale, some ceremonies mark the opening of a...
. - 1 August: English football club Newcastle United beat S-League All-Stars 5-0 in a friendly.
- 25 October : Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
performed his HIStory World TourHIStory World TourThe HIStory World Tour was the third and final worldwide solo concert tour by American megasuperstar Michael Jackson, covering Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and North America. The tour included a total of 82 concerts and was attended by approximately 4.5 million fans, beating his previous Bad Tour...
with an attendance of 35,000.
- 1 April: Then-Prime Minister
- 1997
- 3 September: J-League club Kashima AntlersKashima Antlersare a Japanese professional association football club playing in the J. League Division 1. Antlers is derived from the city name, Kashima, which literally means "deer island"....
beat Geylang United FCGeylang United FCGeylang United Football Club is a professional football club from Singapore, currently playing in the S.League. The club is based in Bedok and their home ground is Bedok Stadium. Their mascot is an eagle, and hence the team is also known as "the Eagles"....
2-1 in an Asian Club Championship (predecessor of AFC Champions LeagueAFC Champions LeagueThe AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
.)
- 3 September: J-League club Kashima Antlers
- 1998
- 4 March: Billy JoelBilly JoelWilliam Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
and Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
perform together. - 31 October: Singapore lift first international rugby unionRugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
trophyTrophyA trophy is a reward for a specific achievement, and serves as recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies are most often awarded for sporting events, from youth sports to professional level athletics...
, beating Sri LankaSri LankaSri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
25-13 in the plate final of the Standard Chartered Asian Rugby Championships.
- 4 March: Billy Joel
- 1999
- 1 May: TaiwanTaiwanTaiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
ese diva A*Mei, she the first asian artise perform at Singapore National Stadium .
- 1 May: Taiwan
- 2000
- 13 March: International phenomenon Mariah CareyMariah CareyMariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
performs for the first time in Singapore.
- 13 March: International phenomenon Mariah Carey
- 2001
- 1 February: FireFireFire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
at stadium causes damage to a media roomMedia roomThe term media room has different meanings depending on context:* In a house, it may refer to a home cinema, home theater room, television room, or other bonus room* In news media it could be synonymous for a press room...
above the grandstandGrandstandA grandstand is a large and normally permanent structure for seating spectators, most often at a racetrack. This includes both auto racing and horse racing. The grandstand is in essence like a single section of a stadium, but differs from a stadium in that it does not wrap all or most of the way...
. - 16 July: English football club LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
beat Singapore 2-0 in a friendly. - 24 July: English football club Manchester United thrash Singapore 8-1 in a friendly.
- 1 February: Fire
- 2002
- 24 July: Fire at National Stadium, as the NDP's main stageStage (theatre)In theatre or performance arts, the stage is a designated space for the performance productions. The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience...
catches fire because of an electrical fault. - 18 December: Singapore are beaten 0-4 by Malaysia in the Tiger CupTiger CupThe ASEAN Football Championship , is a biennial international association football competition organized by the ASEAN Football Federation , contested by the national teams of Southeast Asia...
. Singapore, who were joint hosts with Indonesia for the group stages, were eventually knocked out of the competition after only managing a 1-1 draw with Thailand on 22 December.
- 24 July: Fire at National Stadium, as the NDP's main stage
- 2005
- 16 January: Singapore clinch Tiger Cup at National Stadium, beating IndonesiaIndonesiaIndonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
2-1 (5-2 on aggregate), in the second leg of the final.
- 16 January: Singapore clinch Tiger Cup at National Stadium, beating Indonesia
- 2006
- 9 August: Stadium hosts last National Day ParadeNational Day Parade, 2006The National Day Parade, 2006 was a national ceremony held on 9 August 2006 at the National Stadium to commemorate Singapore's 41st year of independence. The event will be the last parade to be held at the old stadium, as it will be slated for demolition in 2007. The parade will therefore be...
.
- 9 August: Stadium hosts last National Day Parade
- 2007
- 31 January: Singapore beat Thailand 2-1 in the first leg of the Asean Football Championship final. They clinch their third Asean title on 4 February, drawing 1-1 in BangkokBangkokBangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
to win 3-2 on aggregate. - 30 June: Official closing ceremony, as the stadium was scheduled to be torn down by the end of 2007 to make way for the new Singapore Sports HubSingapore Sports HubThe Singapore Sports Hub is a proposed sports complex located in Kallang, Singapore to be built on the present site of the National Stadium, which was officially closed on 30 June 2007 and demolition started on 29 September 2010...
.
- 31 January: Singapore beat Thailand 2-1 in the first leg of the Asean Football Championship final. They clinch their third Asean title on 4 February, drawing 1-1 in Bangkok
- 2008
- 26 March: The National Stadium sees the hosting of a World Cup third round qualifying match for the first time, and Singapore beat LebanonLebanonLebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
2-0. - 3 April: The Sports Council announces that the stadium would host at least two more football games, due to ongoing delays in securing the paperwork for the Sports Hub construction.
- 2 June: The stadium hosted the second home game for the World Cup third round qualifying match, but saw the hosts thrashed 3-7 by UzbekistanUzbekistanUzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
. - 14 June: The stadium hosted the third home game for the qualifying, but the hosts lost 0-2 to Saudi Arabia.
- 28 July: With the project for the new Sports Hub delayed, the stadium hosted a friendly against the BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
Olympic team which saw the samba kings winning 3-0. - 21 December: In the Suzuki Cup semi-finals, the renamed Asean Football Championship, one leg of the game against Vietnam was played at the National Stadium, but Singapore lost 0-1 to ten-man Vietnam to a goal by Nguyễn Quang Hải, and lost 0-1 on aggregate and were eliminated.
- 26 March: The National Stadium sees the hosting of a World Cup third round qualifying match for the first time, and Singapore beat Lebanon
- 2009
- 27 January: The stadium hosted the first Group E Asian Cup qualifiers match and the Lions beat Jordan 2-1.
- 26 July: English football club Liverpool makes their second visit to Singapore and the Reds beat the Singapore national team 5-0.
- 12 August: Singapore held the Chinese national team to a 1-1 draw in a special National Day Challenge but lost 4-3 in the penalty shootout.
- 4 November: The Singapore national team beat the Indonesian national team 3-1 in a friendly.
- 14 November: The second Group E qualifier on home soil for the Asian Cup results in a 1-3 reverse to Thailand.
- 2010
- 6 January: The third Group E qualifier for the Asian Cup was a 1-3 defeat to Iran.
- 17 April: Taiwanese pop group May DayMay DayMay Day on May 1 is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival and usually a public holiday; it is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures....
's series of 2010 concerts' Singapore leg, initially scheduled to be held at the Padang was rearranged to the National Stadium, due to overwhelming response. This is the first non-football event to be held at the stadium since the official closure. - June: The grass pitch was stripped bare and the grass has been transplanted to other fields under the Sports Council such as the Kallang Practice Track. This was the first sign of the demolition of the stadium after a three-year delay.
- 29 September: The National Stadium started its demolition and making way for the construction of the Sports Hub.
- 2011
- February: The demolition of the entire stadium was completed.