If you have been to the National Stadium, it was probably for a concert, a sporting spectacle or a community event. However, there are several times in a year where you can visit the Kallang icon during the National Stadium Open House and these are opportunities to gawk at the sheer immensity of the building and even to take to the track for a run, jog or walk.
National Stadium Open House
We paid a visit to the National Stadium Open House being held in conjunction with the National Day celebrations at Singapore Sports Hub.
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To get into the National Stadium, we had to head up to Level 3 where the public entry gates are located. Entry is via Gate 12, which is located on the far end, opposite from Kallang Wave Mall.
We made the walk along the 100PLUS Promenade running track towards Gate 12.
To help you get an orientation, Gate 1 of the National Stadium is close to Kallang Wave Mall and where the roof opens up. Anti-clockwise, the gates run from 1 to 12 with Gate 12 at the opposite end. This carries on from Gate 13 to 23 on the side closer to the OCBC Aquatic Centre.
No tickets were required to enter the National Stadium during the open house. We simply pushed the turnstiles and we were in.
It is quite awe-inspiring to take in the view of the large stadium.
The National Stadium has a capacity of 55,000 people. To put that into context, Simei has a population of around 42,000+. You can fit all the people who live in Simei into the National Stadium!
The National Stadium also lays claim to having the world’s largest free-spanning dome, a retractable roof. This has been also strategically positioned to reveal views of the Singapore city skyline.
Interestingly, the retractable roof of the National Stadium also features an innovative lighting system that is embedded with 20,000 LEDs and can acts as a giant screen with the projection visible from both inside and outside the stadium.
During the National Stadium Open House, most of the seating sections are cordoned off.
Upon entering in, we could head to what appears to be a VIP area to take in the view of the stadium and also access a section of seating to the left of Gate 12.
We could also make our way down to the track. However, do take note that there could also be days when the track is closed.
If you have ever wondered what it must be like for the performers or sports people down from the track, the National Stadium Open House (if the track is not closed off) is your chance to experience it first hand.
Come prepared with your jogging shoes and do a lap or two around the running track. Even if you don’t want to jog or run, you can still take a walk around the track.
Do take note that the field is off-limits.
From the track, you can imagine what it must be like for acts that have performed at the National Stadium such as Taylor Swift, Coldplay and A-Mei, or athletes during events such as the HSBC Singapore Rugby 7s and at the SEA Games.
Visiting the Singapore National Stadium
The National Stadium Open House is currently taking place till 8 August 2024, 6 pm to 9 pm (no track access on 6 August 2024).
Find out more about the National Stadium Open House.
