NDP to be held at National Stadium next year

The National Day Parade (NDP) in 2026 will be held at the National Stadium, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said on Aug 19.

- Claudia Tan

This means that more Singaporeans will be able to watch the parade as the 55,000-seat stadium has a larger capacity than the Padang, which can accommodate 27,000 spectators.

The NDP was last held at the new National Stadium in 2016 – the only time it took place there after the venue opened in 2014.

The last NDP held at the old National Stadium was in 2006, before it closed in 2007 and was demolished in 2010 to make way for the Singapore Sports Hub.

The 2026 parade will mark 50 years since the NDP was first held at the old National Stadium.

To mark Singapore's 60th year of independence in 2025, some 27,000 people attended the NDP at the Padang on Aug 9; another 200,000 enjoyed the extended celebrations in Marina Bay.

Mr Chan, speaking at an NDP 2025 appreciation function held at the Surbana Jurong Campus in Cleantech Loop, said: "We were last there (at the National Stadium) almost 10 years back... Next year, we will try something new."

He added: "It will be a fresh venue, and we will have fresh ideas, fresh performances."