Photo Credit: HSBC Rugby SVNS
Every year when the HSBC World Rugby Sevens (SVNS) arrives in Singapore, the Kallang precinct thrums with life. The stands at the National Stadium roar, jerseys and flags colour the crowds, and fans from every corner of the world gather to celebrate a sport that knows no boundaries. For many, it’s the highlight of the rugby calendar, a weekend of athletic spectacle and festival energy rolled into one.
But when you’re planning your 2026 trip to Singapore, here’s a thought: go beyond the first and final whistle. Because beyond the stadium lights and match-day buzz lies a version of Singapore that even seasoned visitors rarely see, islands wrapped in turquoise waters, bike trails that skim the coastline, and parks that prove the city’s green spirit runs deep
Whether you’re travelling solo, with friends, or with the whole family, these places might just inspire you to linger longer after the last try is scored.
Coastal Adventures & Island Escapes
If you’ve explored the usual sights, Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Sentosa, it’s time to drift further, toward Singapore’s coastlines and islands. Here, the city slows down, the air smells faintly of salt, and nature reveals itself in surprising ways.
Photo Credit: Singapore National Parks
Start your rediscovery with Coney Island Park, a rustic gem on the northeastern edge of Singapore. Known for its Casuarina woodlands and unspoiled beaches, it’s a refreshing break from manicured city parks. The cycling loop is flat and easy, perfect for families or casual riders. Look out for the iconic “Coney Island Gate,” and if you’re lucky, you might spot a kingfisher or one of the resident herons. The park connects seamlessly with Punggol’s waterfront cafés, ideal for a post-ride brunch with the kids.
Further east, the Changi Bay Park Connector threads together Singapore’s most scenic stretch of coast. Locals liken it to Jeju Island, thanks to its sweeping sea views and a lone windswept tree that’s become a quiet Instagram star. Continue on to Changi Beach Park, one of Singapore’s oldest seaside spots, where rows of coconut palms sway gently over barbecue pits and jogging trails. There’s a nostalgic charm here, part kampong, part holiday postcard. Families often rent bikes to meander between playgrounds, seafood stalls, and breezy lookout points.
If you’re travelling with little ones, Jurong Lake Gardens on the opposite side of the island is worth the journey west. Spanning more than 90 hectares, this is Singapore’s newest national garden — a vast, sculpted landscape of open meadows, swan-dotted lakes, and adventure zones. Forest Ramble, one of Singapore’s largest nature playgrounds, lets kids mimic the movements of local animals through climbing nets and tunnels. Meanwhile, Clusia Cove is a natural-filtered water playground where they can cool off safely while parents unwind by the lake.
For those craving a true island escape, trade skyscrapers for sailboats. A 20-minute ferry from Marina South Pier brings you to Singapore’s southern islands, a cluster of tropical hideaways that feel worlds away from the city. Lazarus and St John’s Islands are favourites for their soft white sands and protected lagoons. The islands are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or setting up a family picnic. Recently, eco-friendly “tiny houses” have opened for overnight stays, giving guests the rare chance to sleep by the sea under a canopy of stars.
Nearby, the Sisters’ Islands and Kusu Island add a mix of marine life and mythology to the adventure. On one side, coral reefs and tidal pools teeming with sea stars and clownfish; on the other, ancient shrines and a temple dedicated to Da Bo Gong, said to bless sailors and travellers. It’s the kind of experience that delights both children and adults, a living classroom of nature, culture, and sea breeze.
However, you choose to get there — by ferry, kayak, or private yacht from Keppel Bay — these coastal adventures show that Singapore is more than steel and skyline. It’s a playground of wind and water, where families and friends of all ages can reconnect with a wilder, freer side of the island.
Playtime Around the Stadium
Back on the mainland, the Singapore Sports Hub, home of the SVNS, is worth exploring beyond the matches. The precinct itself is a destination, designed for both play and pause.
Start your morning at Splash-N-Surf, a free water play area beside the Kallang Wave Mall, where younger fans can ride mini slides or float lazily along a shallow river. Just a few steps away, Shimano Cycling World turns the science of cycling into interactive fun, while Climb Central invites anyone, kids included, to scale colourful climbing walls that tower above the atrium.
If you’re chasing calm after a high-energy day at the stadium, the Yunomori Onsen & Spa offers Japanese-style baths, saunas, and massage treatments that melt away match-day fatigue. Or, if you’d rather stay outdoors, follow The Kallang Story Trail, a self-guided heritage route that traces Singapore’s sporting past through 18 markers scattered across the waterfront. It’s part museum, part scenic walk, and a perfect way to stretch your legs between games.
Photo Credit: Blue Fern Grill & Sake
And when hunger strikes, the dining scene around the Sports Hub delivers more than quick bites. Tuck into sizzling teppan plates at Blue Fern Grill & Sake or go family-style with seafood favourites and dim sum at 极鲜 Seafood & HK Dim Sum Express.
Photo Credit: OldTown White Coffee
For comfort food, Old Street Bak Kut Teh and OldTown White Coffee serve familiar local flavours, while Seoul Yummy dishes out Korean stews and barbecued meats perfect for sharing. For those craving variety under one roof.
Photo Credit: Old Street Bak Kut Teh
My Kampung Food Court brings together Singapore’s hawker classics, from chicken rice to laksa, in a bright, casual setting. Whether you’re celebrating a win or refuelling before the next kick-off, there’s a table for every taste and appetite at the Hub.
Between matches, the riverside paths fill with families, runners, and cyclists – the atmosphere is as vibrant as the tournament itself.
Dress the Part, Leave in Style
If you’ve attended the SVNS before, you’ll know it’s not just about rugby, it’s a parade of personality. Costumes are part of the culture, with groups showing up in superhero suits, retro kits, or coordinated team colours. So why not join in?
For a full transformation, head to Costumes ’N’ Parties on Havelock Road or Costume City at Henderson Road, both favourites among local eventgoers. If you prefer to DIY your look, Spotlight at Plaza Singapura and even Daiso stock affordable accessories, from glitter wigs to face paint. It’s an easy way to become part of the weekend’s infectious carnival spirit, a memory as fun as the matches themselves.
Make The Most of Your Trip
The HSBC SVNS may bring you here for the rugby, but it’s Singapore’s rhythm — part adventure, part discovery, part play — that will make you want to stay. In between the roar of the crowd and the calm of the sea breeze, there’s always another moment waiting: a cycling trail that hugs the coast, a hidden island cove, a meal shared with family by the waterfront.
So when you’re booking your flights for the 2026 HSBC SVNS in Singapore, give yourself the gift of time. Stay an extra day or two, let the city show you its quieter corners and wilder edges. The game might last a weekend, but in Singapore, the magic lingers long after the final whistle.
Tickets are now on sale. Visit the Singapore Sports Hub website for more details.
