SINGAPORE: Ticket prices for Singapore’s premier badminton event may have risen, but organisers promise it will be value for money.
This year, some 32,000 fans can expect a party atmosphere for the 26th Li-Ning Singapore Open when the annual US$200,000 (S$246,700) tournament returns to the Singapore Indoor Stadium from June 18 to 23.
Among the highlights are a new Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) Corporate League, featuring a mix of Singapore shuttlers like South-east Asian (SEA) Games gold medallist Fu Mingtian, doubles player Shinta Mulia Sari, former national star Ronald Susilo, national intermediate squad members, and the likes of Indonesia’s world No 19 men’s doubles pair Markis Kido and Alvent Yulianto Chandra representing six companies.
Fan experience and engagement will also be a focus this time, with a six-day badminton carnival to feature sponsors’ booths, and two game stations to allow spectators to test their badminton skills and win prizes.
There will also be cheerleading performances and mini-concerts before the finals on June 23, and the competition venue fitted with newly-designed corporate boxes.
However, tickets will be pegged at S$10 to S$18 for the qualifying and preliminary rounds, S$13 to S$38 (quarter-finals), S$8 to S$40 (semi-finals) and S$8 to S$44 (finals). Last year, it cost S$8 to S$14 for the qualifying and preliminary rounds, S$11 to S$30 (quarter-finals), S$5 to S$32 (semi-finals), and S$5 to $34 (finals).Premium and season tickets will cost between S$28 and S$200 this year, compared to S$19 and S$128 last year.
But organising committee chairman Francis Koh said: “The ticket increase is not much and is at about 10 to 20 per cent. In general, it is still very affordable. Over the years, we have seen many world-class players compete in this BWF (Badminton World Federation) World Super Series event. It is too early to say who is coming but we still expect the big names to come.”
To date, Indonesians Markis and Yulianto, men’s singles defending champion Boonsak Ponsana, rising Japanese shuttler Minatsu Mitani – who upset Indian world No 2 Sania Nehwal at the French Open – and compatriots Kenichi Tago and Sho Sasaki have been confirmed for the tournament. The final line-up will be decided after registration closes on May 14.
With the Singapore Open’s title sponsorship deal with sports brand Li-Ning expected to end this year, the SBA – who signed a S$8.8-million deal with Li-Ning in 2010 to sponsor the national team, Singapore Open and major local tournaments – is in discussions with potential sponsors for the Republic’s marquee badminton showpiece.
“It is possible that badminton will follow other sports in having multi sponsors for the Singapore Open and national team,” said SBA President Lee Yi Shyan.
“Every year, our operating budget is about S$4.5 million. Half is from the Singapore Sports Council, so the remaining half must come from sponsorship or event organisation.”
Although their bid to upgrade the Li-Ning Singapore Open from a US$200,000 Super Series to a top-tier Premier Super Series event boasting a minimum prize purse of US$500,000 failed last December, the SBA remain hopeful.
“If we are able to line up big sponsors, we hope to organise the premier super series,” said Lee. “The competing countries are coming in with much larger sponsorship money, so we just have to realise it is very competitive out there and other countries are more aggressive in bidding for the premier super series.”
Tickets to the Li-Ning Singapore Open will be available via SISTIC from May 8. Visit www.singaporebadminton.org.sg for more information.
Badminton: Li-Ning Singapore Open organisers promise more
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