Singapore to Recognize Esports as Sports

More

15 January 2026 09:11

On January 14, 2026, Singaporean Parliament passed the Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill, officially classifying esports alongside mind sports such as chess and bridge as recognised sports under national law.This update amends the Singapore Sports Council Act, which dates back to 1973, by broadening the definition of "sports" to include these emerging and traditional mental competitions.

The change means Sport Singapore (SportSG) can now extend tailored support, funding, and resources to esports organisations, players, and related programs, based on each activity's specific needs and governance standards.Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo, who introduced the bill during its first reading on November 4, 2025, “The bill is an important enabler in driving Singapore’s sporting culture, and for our national sport ecosystem to be inclusive, dynamic, and future-ready,” he said. “It reaffirms that sport is for everyone, regardless of age or ability, and our effort for every Singaporean to live better through sport.

”The legislation also strengthens SportSG's overall mandate. It grants the body greater authority to develop new training facilities for athletes, introduce updated coaching standards, and advance sports science initiatives. These enhancements aim to create a more robust and adaptable framework as new forms of competition gain popularity.

Singapore now joins a select group of countries that have embedded esports recognition into national legislation, signaling strong governmental backing for the industry's growth. For a nation already known for its competitive gaming scene, including hosting major tournaments and nurturing talent, this move could unlock more opportunities for professional players, teams, and grassroots programs.

More:SOOP Partners with Riot Games for LCK

Tags: Singapore

Share:

Sources:

Report mistake Submit news

Related news

View All

eFootball Naruto Shippuden Crossover Revealed

TL;DR * Konami has launched a Naruto Shippuden crossover in eFootball running until May 14, 2026, featuring eight player cards...

More

May 01, 2026

Take-Two CEO Zelnick Refuses to Commit to GTA 6 Price, Says Charging "Way Way Way Less" Than Value Is the Goal

TL;DR * Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed GTA 6 pricing at the IICON conference without naming a number, framing the...

More

May 01, 2026

Battlefield 6 Season 3: Railway to Golmud, Ranked Battle Royale, and Everything Launching May 12

TL;DR * Battlefield 6 Season 3 launches May 12, headlined by Railway to Golmud, a map four times the size...

More

May 01, 2026

Cache Returns to CS2 in April 29 Update With Full Valve Overhaul After Five Years Away

TL;DR * Cache has returned to CS2 in the April 29 update across Casual, Competitive, Deathmatch, and Retakes modes, five...

More

Apr 29, 2026

Pokemon Champions Twitch Rivals: How to Watch, Full Roster, Format, and $50K Prize Pool Details

TL;DR * Pokémon Champions holds its first official tournament through Twitch Rivals on April 29 at 14:00 PDT / 17:00...

More

Apr 29, 2026

Singapore to Recognize Esports as Sports

More

15 January 2026 09:11

Tags: Singapore

On January 14, 2026, Singaporean Parliament passed the Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill, officially classifying esports alongside mind sports such as chess and bridge as recognised sports under national law.This update amends the Singapore Sports Council Act, which dates back to 1973, by broadening the definition of "sports" to include these emerging and traditional mental competitions.

The change means Sport Singapore (SportSG) can now extend tailored support, funding, and resources to esports organisations, players, and related programs, based on each activity's specific needs and governance standards.Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo, who introduced the bill during its first reading on November 4, 2025, “The bill is an important enabler in driving Singapore’s sporting culture, and for our national sport ecosystem to be inclusive, dynamic, and future-ready,” he said. “It reaffirms that sport is for everyone, regardless of age or ability, and our effort for every Singaporean to live better through sport.

”The legislation also strengthens SportSG's overall mandate. It grants the body greater authority to develop new training facilities for athletes, introduce updated coaching standards, and advance sports science initiatives. These enhancements aim to create a more robust and adaptable framework as new forms of competition gain popularity.

Singapore now joins a select group of countries that have embedded esports recognition into national legislation, signaling strong governmental backing for the industry's growth. For a nation already known for its competitive gaming scene, including hosting major tournaments and nurturing talent, this move could unlock more opportunities for professional players, teams, and grassroots programs.

More:SOOP Partners with Riot Games for LCK

Share:

Sources:

Report mistake Submit news