Singapore Fans Swallowing the World Cup Waiting Lolly‑Pop
With just over three weeks until the World Cup kicks off on November 20, people in Singapore are having a nice little heart‑stopper – none of them know where or how to catch the event. Let’s dive into the drama, the money, and the very human side of this football frenzy.
From Telcos to Tensions
- Singtel and StarHub are still in talks with FIFA about who’ll get to broadcast the games.
- A three‑way partnership with Mediacorp – the trio that made the 2018 World Cup in Russia possible – is supposed to happen. But as the 24‑day countdown to the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador winds down, fans are still pulling their hair out.
- Historically, the latest broadcast information dropped about 36 days before the 2010 South Africa tournament.
“What the heck?” – A Fan’s Frustration
Communications manager Dominic Leong (40), a die‑hard football aficionado, says:
“I’m honestly fed up with how Singapore fans always get the short end of the stick when it comes to this “back‑and‑forth” theatre between FIFA and the broadcasters.”
He adds, “FIFA (and UEFA for the European Championship) keeps squeezing Singapore for more than any neighbor, just because we’re seen as a fat billionaire country. It sucks so much.”
The Price Tag Tango
In 2018, the three‑way agreement was announced 50 days before the tournament. Fans paid $112.35 (or $94.16 with an early‑bird promo) via Singtel or StarHub.
Those same figures were used for 2014 in Brazil – the first time no price hike happened since 2002 when the paid subscriptions began.
Mediacorp, the free‑to‑air partner, shows nine matches ( opener, five group matches, both semi‑finals and the final) – funded by the government – and is likely to squat in the same role again.
Why the Money Matters
“FIFA’s revenue from World Cup rights has almost doubled in the last 20 years. The 2002 rights pulled in US$1.69 billion (S$2.4 billion). In 2018, it was a little over US$3 billion.”
Singapore paid around $25 million for broadcast rights in 2018 – a modest rise from 2014.
Local Fans Land in the Dark
Freelance writer Rahul Warrier (22), an avid Argentina supporter, called it “unfair” that fans haven’t been reassured about watching any games.
“The World Cup is a once‑in‑four years event. There shouldn’t be any silence on the act of watching it… And the question is UX, pricing – will it rise? If so, how?
Another fan, known only as Ganison, is a bit more optimistic:
“Looks like we can’t get a whole lot of choices but I’m ok with it. If you know the packages, you’re good. I remember the Champions League packages were announced a day before a couple of years ago, so I think that’s acceptable even if the World Cup comes 20 days before the next league season.”
Southeast Asian Powers – They Have the Couch for the Competition
Some neighbours already know how to catch the shots without a ridiculous panic.
- Malaysia – The government’s RTM will air 41 of the 64 matches for free, 27 live.
- Astro’s sports pack costs RM59.90 (S$17.90) for six months, covering all 64 games.
- Philippines – TAP Digital Media Ventures will stream every match on its WC TV pay‑per‑view channel. The all‑access pass is 1,999 pesos (S$48.60).
- Indonesia – Free‑to‑air stations SCTV, Indosiar, O Channel and Mentari TV will air the games.
Bottom Line
While other countries already have their menus served up, Singapore fans are left guessing whether and when the official packages will appear. The only certainty: the World Cup’s drama, the fan chatter, and the occasional fizz of hope all make the countdown a roller‑coaster of emotions. Once the announcement drops, the fluorescent lights of Marriot Channel will shine bright, and the fans will be out on the field – or on the couch – cheering until the very last minute.
