Pop diva Madonna's concert will take place only on Sunday night (Feb 28). But die-hard fans have dropped by the National Stadium to catch snippets of her rehearsal the night before.

Together with fellow fans, Desmond Tan turned up at around 5pm upon hearing that the rehearsal will happen on Saturday evening.

"I'd rather be two hours early, than two minutes late (and miss her rehearsal)," says Mr Tan, 38, an accounts assistant.

When the pulsating music came on, the handful of fans peered through the grilles and at other times just bopped along to the tunes. The fans were decked in tees emblazoned with Madonna's image.

They were joined by an Iranian fan, who had flown in specially to watch the concert. Mr Tan's anticipation to watch his idol has not decreased despite having already attended the Rebel Heart show in Bangkok in February and last year's Canada show.

Sunday night's concert will be his eighth time watching the Queen of Pop in concert.

For another local fan, this will be his 16th time watching Madonna. Human resource officer Ross Mingoo, 44, who is based in Amsterdam, flew back here just for the concert.

He says: "I've been to many of her concerts in Europe. But this is the first time it is held on homeground. I've got to watch it. My $1,288 concert ticket costs more than my plane ticket home (680 Euros)."

When The Straits Times left at 10pm, there was no queue in sight at the gate designated for the standing areas. Overnight queuing is not allowed, says Singapore Sports Hub. They are expecting a crowd of approximately 22,000 to 24,000.