SINGAPORE - National Day Parade 2016 will return to the National Stadium for the first time in 10 years, Sports Hub confirmed on Friday (Dec 18).

Sports Hub CEO Manu Sawhney wrote in a Facebook post: "This year, the National Day Parade will return home to the National Stadium, for the first time in ten years.

"Come 9th August the first National Day Parade in the new iconic Singapore Sports Hub will provide new memories - memories that will be etched in the minds for communities and different generations of families."

"We are excited, and can't wait for the nation's biggest celebration, after the jubilee year to take place at the iconic Singapore Sports Hub."

BG Kenneth Liow, chairman of the NDP 2016 Executive Committee, also confirmed the news.

"I am thrilled to share with you that next year's parade will be held at the Sports Hub, located on the site of the iconic National Stadium," he wrote in a Facebook post, adding that preparations for next year's parade are "going well".

"Many of us remember the National Stadium playing host to many national events. The new stadium may be young, but it is on its way to becoming an icon of its time," he added. "With approximately 30,000 more seats than The Float @ Marina Bay, we are looking forward to having more Singaporeans participate in the NDP celebrations at the Sports Hub."

The Straits Times reported last week that the venue for NDP 2016 had not been confirmed because of negotiations over the cost of renting the 55,000-seater stadium after NDP organisers were told to pay $26 million for leasing the venue for an extra 35 days for rehearsals.

The paper understands that the figure had been lowered to $10 million.

The current contract allows Mindef to use the space for free for only 45 days, which technicians and performers at previous NDPs said is not enough.

The last NDP was held at the old National Stadium in 2006. The old stadium was torn down after that.

The parade had been held at the Marina Bay floating platform and the Padang for the past 10 years.