Singapore Moves to Recognise Esports as an Official Sport

Singapore has announced a major policy shift through the Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill 2025, proposing to legally recognise esports as an official sport. Introduced on 4 November 2025, the Bill seeks to modernise the existing 1973 Sports Council Act to reflect the digital transformation of competitive activities.

Under the proposed changes, Sport Singapore (SportSG) will extend its oversight beyond traditional athletics to include esports and mind sports such as chess and bridge. This means esports will now fall under official governance for facility accreditation, coaching standards, and athlete development. The Bill also expands the Sports Council from 15 to 25 members, ensuring diverse representation from digital and cognitive sports sectors.

The legislation aims to make esports accessible for athletes of all abilities, strengthening collaboration with the Singapore National Paralympic Council. If enacted, it could also pave the way for esports to be integrated into educational and youth development programmes, creating structured talent pipelines.

Industry leaders have widely welcomed the proposal. Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan described it as a milestone for the gaming community, reflecting how esports has evolved from a leisure activity to a respected competitive discipline. Singapore’s active role in hosting global events such as The International 2022 and Olympic Esports Week 2023 reinforces its commitment to becoming a leading hub for digital sports.

If approved, Singapore will join a select group of countries that legally classify esports as an official sport, setting a precedent for other nations to follow.