#SAS23 Guest Spotlight: Singapore Sports Hub

Ahead of TheStadiumBusiness ASIA 2023, we caught up with Mitch Seeto, Head of Venue and Event Operations at Kallang Alive Sport Management, the corporate entity established by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and Sport Singapore, to manage Singapore Sports Hub from December 9, 2022.

In June 2022, the Government announced that it would take ownership and management of Singapore Sports Hub after electing to terminate its partnership with the private consortium that had been running it since opening in 2014.

National agency Sport Singapore (SportSG) initiated the termination of the Sports Hub Public-Private Partnership (PPP), stating it had reached a mutual agreement with SportsHub Pte Ltd (SHPL) over the termination and the process of handover. It officially took over on December 9, stating the move had been made with a view to make the Sports Hub the “heart of sports in Singapore” and better capitalise on the planned Kallang Alive project.

First announced in 2019, Kallang Alive envisions six new developments in the area around the Hub. These include the Kallang Football Hub, Kallang Tennis Centre and a redevelopment of the Kallang Theatre. Singapore’s first-ever velodrome is also proposed as part of the Youth Hub.

Seeto first joined the Singapore Sports Hub team in August 2013 as Director of Major Events and Projects, before being named Head of Venue and Event Operations in March 2019.

Before joining Singapore Sports Hub, Seeto’s career included contracts as Event Manager of Australian Technology Park, from February to August 2013, and with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) from February to October 2012, working as part of the Venue Management Central Team.

Prior to that, Seeto was Coordinator of Stadium Operations for Sydney’s ANZ Stadium, what is now Accor Stadium, from February 2008 to July 2011.

TheStadiumBusiness: What are the key current challenges and opportunities in the stadium/arena and events marketplace?

Mitch Seeto: “Technology presents both a challenge and opportunity for venues. It improves the event experience, making it more memorable, interactive and efficient, but at the same time, challenges venues to find new ways to deliver the personal touch that makes watching live events special.”

TSB: What are the most interesting trends you are witnessing in the stadium/arena and events sector?

MS: “As a regional hub, we’re seeing a real trend towards single events with multiple nights in one venue versus artists touring multiple countries in the region. For example, we recently hosted 11 shows by Hong Kong superstar Jacky Cheung at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and many of his fans had travelled to Singapore to catch his performance live.

“It’s a trend we’re seeing extend into 2024, with Coldplay’s six nights of concerts at the Singapore National Stadium, as well as Taylor Swift’s six-night ‘only-in-Singapore’ concerts – her only concerts in
Asia outside of Japan.”

TSB: What’s on the roadmap for Singapore Sports Hub over the next six to 12 months?

MS: “We have an exciting pipeline of international sport, entertainment and lifestyle events and will continue to build on it. At the same time, enhancing our community programmes – be it daily sports or celebrating festive and national events – remains a key focus as these events bring everyone together.

“We are also looking forward to the opening of new tennis and football facilities in the Kallang precinct in 2024. With these new facilities, we are making these sports accessible to more patrons.”

TSB: What are you looking forward to most about TheStadiumBusiness ASIA?

MS: “I’m looking forward to connecting with like-minded venue operators from across the globe that are pushing the envelope and delivering great customer experiences.”

Join Mitch and hundreds of sports and entertainment execs at The Wave in Kwun Tong, Hong Kong on 19-20 October as we explore the future of design, operations and technology for Asia’s sports and entertainment venues – only at TheStadiumBusiness ASIA 2023.