Low-key start for Singapore´s glittering new stadium

SINGAPORE: Singapore´s state-of-the-art new National Stadium will host international football and an Asia-Pacific Super rugby team after it opens as part of the billion-dollar Sports Hub project in June, officials said Thursday.

The 55,000-seat stadium, with a domed, retractable roof and innovative cooling system, will get off to a low-key start with an international rugby 10s tournament from June 21-22.

The venue, which lies alongside an existing 13,000-capacity indoor stadium plus a new aquatics centre, sports hall and water sports facility, will also host a Singapore v Malaysia football friendly on August 8. And the stadium will be a venue for the group stages of football´s AFF Suzuki Cup as Singapore defend their Southeast Asian title in November and December.

Officials also announced a number of music attractions, including America´s Taylor Swift and Taiwanese singer Jay Chou, as they unveiled a varied but limited line-up for the site´s opening months.

They said the list of events was a work in progress, with negotiations continuing in a number of areas including the Sevens World Series, Super rugby and football´s youth World Cup.

Tennis´s end-of-season WTA Championships has already been confirmed for the indoor stadium this year, while Formula One motor-racing has become a fixture in the wealthy city-state.

International badminton, netball and swimming events are also on the schedule for the Sports Hub, which also has community facilities and a retail mall. (AFP)