Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 54 Week of 2 March 2026
(1) Premier League to branch out with new Singapore streaming service, could Hong Kong follow?
The Premier League will launch its first direct-to-consumer streaming service, Premier League +, in Singapore next season. CEO Richard Masters described it as a carefully planned pilot to build direct customer relationships and test models like promotion, pricing, and retention, with potential global rollout if successful.
(2) Sun Yingsha wins Singapore Smash for third time, while Wang Chuqin reclaims his crown
Sun Yingsha successfully defended her WTT Singapore Smash women’s singles title, defeating compatriot Wang Manyu 4-2 in a thrilling final. Wang Chuqin dominated the men’s final, beating Lin Yun-ju 4-0 to reclaim his title. Both Chinese stars collected US$100,000 prize money each.
(3) Hong Kong basketball players ‘sad but not surprised’ after learning about Games axe
Hong Kong basketball players expressed shock and disappointment after learning they were excluded from this year’s Asian Games, with only 12 men’s teams selected, a 24-year low. Players and sources criticised inadequate long-term planning, low regional rankings, and limited tournament exposure, leaving the teams without major competitive goals.
(4) LIV Golf heading back to Hong Kong in 2027, fans to get early shot at tickets
LIV Golf will return to Hong Kong for a fourth time in 2027, from February 18–21 at Hong Kong Golf Club, sponsored by HSBC. CEO Scott O’Neil called the city a key Asian gateway, while fans attending this week’s event gain early access to discounted 2027 tickets via the LIV website.
(1) Premier League to branch out with new Singapore streaming service, could Hong Kong follow?
(Photo Credit: dpa)
The Premier League is set to enter the direct-to-consumer streaming market for the first time with a new platform called Premier League +, launching in Singapore next season. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters announced the move at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit in London on Thursday.
Unlike previous arrangements where the league sold broadcast rights to partners such as Sky Sports in the UK or NBC in the US, Premier League + will allow the organisation to own and manage its own customer base directly. Masters emphasised the strategic nature of the project, calling it a “very long, considered process” and a carefully selected market entry.
Singapore was chosen partly due to strong existing fan bases for clubs such as Manchester United and Liverpool across Asia. The initiative coincides with the opening of a new Premier League Studios production hub in Olympia, London, which will support content creation for the service.
Masters highlighted the business-building aspects the league will now handle, including promotion, pricing, subscriber churn, and distribution. He described the Singapore launch as a learning opportunity to understand direct-to-consumer dynamics and assess whether the model could be replicated in other markets worldwide.
Several major US sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball, already operate successful direct-to-viewer streaming platforms, providing a blueprint for the Premier League’s ambitions.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3344797/premier-league-branch-out-new-singapore-streaming-service-could-hong-kong-follow?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article
(2) Sun Yingsha wins Singapore Smash for third time, while Wang Chuqin reclaims his crown
(Photo Credit: Xinhua)
Chinese table tennis star Sun Yingsha defended her WTT Singapore Smash women’s singles crown with a hard-fought victory over compatriot Wang Manyu in the final at The Kallang on Sunday. The world No. 1 Sun took the first two games 11-8 and 11-9, but Wang roared back, winning the third and fourth 11-7 and 11-6 to level the match at 2-2.
In the fifth game, Wang built a 10-7 lead with three game points, but Sun mounted a stunning comeback, reeling off five consecutive points to steal the game 12-10 and seize a 3-2 advantage. Capitalising on Wang’s errors and her own ruthless focus, Sun closed out the match 11-9 in the sixth game after 70 minutes, securing her third Singapore title and a US$100,000 cheque.
In the men’s final, world No. 1 Wang Chuqin overwhelmed Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-ju 4-0. Wang blitzed the opening game and never looked back, winning 11-3, 11-8, 11-8, and 11-9. Lin, in his first Grand Smash final, fought back briefly in the second but couldn’t halt Wang’s momentum. The left-hander repeated his Singapore triumph from two years ago, also earning US$100,000.
Both finals showcased China’s dominance, with Sun and Wang delivering commanding performances under pressure.
(3) Hong Kong basketball players ‘sad but not surprised’ after learning about Games axe
(Photo Credit: EASL)
Hong Kong basketball players reacted with stunned disappointment on Tuesday after organisers cut the men’s field to just 12 teams for this year’s Asian Games, the lowest in 24 years, leaving the city out entirely. While the women’s competition retained its size, both squads were excluded.
Players described the omission as a complete shock, though some admitted they had sensed it might happen. Sources indicated the Basketball Association of Hong Kong, China may have known about the decision a month earlier from Japanese organisers, yet continued training camps and player call-ups while insisting “there should be an Asian Games.” However, as of today, Hong Kong has still not been officially told of the reason to cut the number of teams.
Hong Kong Eastern revealed the association emailed players Glen Yang and Ivan Yang Bo-wen last Saturday for national team training ahead of the Games. Association general manager Jerry Chan Chun-fei, son of recently resigned chairman Norman Chan Shui-tim, declined comment.
Players like Glen Yang called it “very disappointing” that athletes invest years only to miss qualification chances. Marco Leung Ka-hin noted low expectations given the men’s regional ranking of 26th, while Tsz Kwan Li of the women’s team described it as “quite discouraging.” She highlighted the rarity of tournaments and the lack of competitive experience despite regular training.
Former player and assistant coach Lee Ki warned that current conditions make major tournaments unlikely for the next 10–20 years. Critics pointed to insufficient long-term planning and over-reliance on mere participation rather than development, allowing other nations to climb rankings while Hong Kong stagnates.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345320/hong-kong-basketball-players-sad-not-surprised-after-learning-about-games-axe?pgtype=live
(4) LIV Golf heading back to Hong Kong in 2027, fans to get early shot at tickets
(Photo Credit: LIV Golf)
LIV Golf has confirmed its return to Hong Kong in 2027 for the fourth edition of the event, scheduled for February 18–21 at Hong Kong Golf Club. The tournament will kick off the Year of the Goat, less than two weeks into the new Chinese lunar year, and is once again expected to feature HSBC as title sponsor.
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil described Hong Kong as a “cornerstone of our international calendar and an important gateway for golf’s continued growth in Asia.” He emphasised the league’s commitment to investing in dynamic markets where sport, entertainment, and culture intersect on a global scale.
HSBC’s managing director and global head of brand partnerships, Andrea de Vincentiis, highlighted the partnership’s alignment with the bank’s other major golf sponsorships, including the men’s and women’s Open Championships and the recent Women’s World Championship in Singapore. He praised LIV Golf as international, innovative, and growing, expressing delight in serving as title partner for this week’s event.
Hong Kong Golf Club captain Andy Kwok said the club was proud to continue hosting the league and its players at one of Asia’s most historic venues.
Organisers announced that fans attending this week’s LIV Golf event can access “exclusive early bird” pricing for 2027 tickets starting Sunday via the league’s website, offering a head start on securing seats for the upcoming tournament.
