Singapore Legislates Formal Recognition for Mind and E-sports

Singapore has formally recognized mind sports, including chess and bridge, alongside e-sports as official sports under updated national legislation. This legal change was finalized on January 14, 2026, with the passage of the Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill through Parliament following a two-day deliberation. The legislative action acknowledges the growing international prominence of these competitive activities and their increasing inclusion in major global multi-sport events.

Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, David Neo, first introduced the Bill on November 4, 2025, signaling an intent to modernize Sport Singapore’s (SportSG) functions to reflect the nation’s diverse sporting interests. The amendment updates the 1973 Act to explicitly incorporate these newer disciplines, reflecting an evolving national sporting landscape where mental strategy and digital skill are formally valued alongside traditional physical activities. This recognition grants these sports tailored support mechanisms, including access to SportSG grants and facilities, and integration into anti-doping frameworks managed by the Singapore Esports Association (SGEA), which has held National Sports Association status since 2018.

This structural adjustment aligns with the growing international stature of these disciplines. For instance, the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, featured eleven e-sport medal events, an increase from the eight medal events at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. The formal endorsement also reflects the economic scale of the sector, with the global e-sports market projected to reach a valuation of US$1.86 billion by 2025.

The comprehensive legislative package also institutes significant enhancements to athlete development structures. The Bill mandates the consolidation of the Singapore Sports School and the High Performance Sports Initiative ecosystem into a single entity. This move, part of the broader Kallang Alive Masterplan, is designed to centralize training, education, and competition support for athletes across their entire sporting careers.

Furthermore, the amendment reinforces inclusivity by formally recognizing the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) as a key partner of SportSG, mirroring the established status of the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC). This reinforces the government’s commitment to disability sports within the national framework. Technical amendments also increase the maximum size of the SportSG board from fifteen to twenty-five members to enhance governance capabilities across the expanded mandate.