The Big Question: Why is the Singapore Grand Prix still the hottest ticket in town?

SINGAPORE – On Oct 5, “it’s lights out and away we go” as the Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix flags off its 16th edition at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, where thousands of fans will soak in the adrenaline-pumping action and festivities around the 4.927km racetrack.

Since its 2008 debut as F1’s first night race, the annual spectacle has remained the hottest ticket in town.

The Oct 3-5 race weekend is sold out, although a notice on the official ticketing website states that a “limited number of tickets will be released in the coming days to prevent secondary sales”.

A spokesperson for race promoter Singapore GP said that sales of both grandstand and hospitality tickets are at record levels since the redesign of the track after the redevelopment of The Float @ Marina Bay, noting that “we are assured of another sell-out edition in 2025”.

After close to two decades, The Big Question is: Why is the Singapore Grand Prix still the hottest ticket in town?

Three-day festival for all

Unlike the classic races in Monaco, Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, the Singapore Grand Prix’s unique selling proposition lies in its winning mix of speed, glamour, business and entertainment.

For locals, the F1 weekend is not just about the racing on the track.

Levainthiran Sunthiramogan, 32, who is a Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari fan, said the concerts at the Padang, fringe events and F1-related parties make it an event to look forward to every year.

Over the years, the Padang stage has hosted iconic punk rock band Green Day, pop stars Rihanna, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber and Dua Lipa, as well as Post Malone, Elton John and The Killers. This weekend, British music icon John returns to the stage along with Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi, K-pop stars G-Dragon and CL, American rock band Foo Fighters and Norwegian DJ-producer Alan Walker.

“It is not just a race weekend; it is like a three-day festival,” said Levainthiran, who works in the marine industry.

“Of course the racing is the biggest highlight and what draws most people to buy tickets, but I have seen many non-motor sports fans too because they want to attend concerts and they are just here to feel the buzz.

“There is something for most people to enjoy which is not the case at other races around the world. I went to the Belgian Grand Prix earlier this year and it was just a race weekend.”

Another race fan, Austen Chua, who is a Max Verstappen follower, said he often purchases the three-day passes as it gives him the opportunity to enjoy the off-track activities.

The 24-year-old Temasek Polytechnic graduate said: “Just like how there is the Christmas season, us racing fans have F1 season, and it is always such a joy to go for the races as the atmosphere is so different from any other weekend.”

The race has also boosted Singapore’s reputation as a premier entertainment hub in Asia, after a slew of mega concerts – held outside the race weekend – by Coldplay, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift in recent years.

Lady Gaga’s run of four Singapore-exclusive concerts in May raked in an estimated $100 million to $150 million in tourism receipts for the Republic, according to experts.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)

noted a “surge in tourism”

that boosted the economy in the first quarter of 2024 – largely due to the Coldplay and Swift concerts – in its macroeconomic review in April last year.

Coldplay was estimated to have brought in over 200,000 fans over six shows in January, while Swift drew more than 300,000 fans to her six shows in March. According to estimates by private-sector analysts, these large-scale concerts could have generated tourism receipts of between $350 million and $450 million, MAS noted then.

Hosting these superstars has certainly reaped economic benefits, though the Singapore Grand Prix stands out for delivering year-on-year since 2008, as compared to one-off concerts and events. According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), it has generated more than $2.2 billion in incremental tourism receipts across industries such as hospitality, food and beverage, attractions and retail.

Lilian Chee, director of sports at STB, noted that since the inaugural event, more than 720,000 international visitors have attended the race – accounting for more than 40 per cent of total attendees.

This translates to more than a million Singaporeans and residents at the race.

Chee said that the race “remains a cornerstone event that resonates strongly with locals”, adding that the “strong local support drives us to raise the bar every edition to ensure that locals have compelling reasons to be part of this world-class event on their doorstep”.

In 2024, the Singapore Grand Prix

attracted a sold-out crowd of 269,072 fans

over the three-day race weekend. The turnout was larger than the 2023 edition, which drew a near sell-out crowd of 264,108. The record attendance was 302,000 in 2022, beating that for the inaugural race, before the route was amended to omit The Float @ Marina Bay, which made way for the construction of NS Square. The Bay grandstand could seat 27,000.

‘Magic of the S’pore GP’

Samer Elhajjar, senior lecturer in the department of marketing at the National University of Singapore Business School, said that it is a social as much as a sporting event.

“That is part of the magic of the Singapore Grand Prix,” he said.

“For many people, it is as much about the lifestyle experience as it is about the racing. The entire downtown area transforms into a festival, with concerts by global music stars, exclusive parties, and a buzz in the city that you can feel everywhere. People who may not know much about Formula One still make a point to attend because they want to be part of the atmosphere.

“It has become a social occasion that sits on Singapore’s calendar of big events, where friends gather, businesses entertain their clients, and visitors immerse themselves in a mix of sport and culture. That is why the event appeals to such a wide audience.”

Seshan Ramaswami, associate professor of marketing education at the Singapore Management University, said that the race appeals to different segments of Singaporeans.

He said: “For the curious non-F1 fan, it is a rare opportunity to witness a big international event live in your own city. For the rabid F1 fan, it is a huge bonus – a chance to view your favourite drivers in action up close. But many of these fans even might find the ticket prices a bit daunting and may just watch on television or enjoy the merchandise sales and other events surrounding the event.

“Many others are primarily music fans, for whom the race is just a side event and their ticket buying is driven by the artistes performing in the nearby venues.”

Buzz about business

Ramaswami added that compared to other events, the three-day event in the evening allows for a variety of other programming that can be scheduled during the day, such as conferences or meetings.

Mice (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) events continue to be a strong draw during that period. The 2025 line-up includes the world’s largest cryptocurrency conference, Token2049 held on Oct 1 at Marina Bay Sands – it attracted a record-breaking 25,000 attendees – and All That Matters conference (Sept 26 to Oct 1) featuring industry leaders across music, sports, gaming, Web3, marketing and content at Hilton Singapore Orchard.

Samer noted that the impact of the race locally is broad and touches many parts of the economy. This is reflected in STB’s statistics that more than 700 Singapore-based companies are subcontracted annually for the grand prix.

He added: “Hotels and restaurants see a huge surge in bookings and visitors, which is the most visible benefit. But the effect goes much deeper. About 90 per cent of race operations are subcontracted to Singapore-based firms. This means that everything from logistics and staging to catering and transport is delivered by local companies.

“Vendors of all sizes get contracts, workers find temporary jobs, and small businesses like food stalls and shops see increased traffic. Taxi drivers and ride-hailing services enjoy higher demand, and part-time staff are hired across hospitality and events.

“The spending does not stay concentrated in just luxury hotels or big international brands. It spreads widely, giving opportunities for people at many levels of the economy to benefit directly.”

Lapping up the drama

While the off-track activities add bustle and buzz outside the circuit, the action on track keeps petrolheads coming back for more.

The Netflix series, Drive To Survive, has played a big role in helping attract new and younger fans to the sport.

Singapore’s race under the lights is physically punishing, unpredictable and has a track record for producing dramatic results – the 62-lap race in high heat and humidity has often been described by the drivers as the “toughest race on the calendar” that demands high concentration and endurance.

The last five editions have produced different winners, with

Lando Norris taking top spot on the podium

in 2024 as McLaren reigned supreme here for the first time since 2009.

Motor racing fans have continued to flock to Marina Bay, despite ticket prices heading north. In 2008, three-day passes were priced from $168 for a walkabout to $1,388 for the premier Pit Grandstand. In 2025, these cost $388 and $1,548 respectively.

Ferrari follower Marsha Izzah Mohamed Azhar, 23, who has been to the last three races, enjoys being able to catch her favourite team in action and does not plan to stop.

For her, while the thrills and mix of speed, strategy and unpredictability keep her coming back each year, pride is another strong factor.

Izzah said: “It showcases my home, which I’m proud of. Seeing it broadcast worldwide makes you feel proud, because people don’t just see the cars, they see the city as part of the story.

“It puts Singapore on the map in a way that few other events can, and that’s really special.”