The Lion City Sailors will kick off their 2025/26 ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup group-stage campaign with a tantalising Causeway derby against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) on 21 August at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) has officially unveiled the fixtures for the region’s premier club competition, with the Sailors handed a blockbuster start against the 11-time Malaysia Super League champions. The tie comes hot on the heels of the Sailors’ season-opening Singapore Community Shield against BG Tampines Rovers on 16 August, and just before their first Singapore Premier League (SPL) fixture the following weekend.
While the Sailors and JDT have crossed paths in several friendlies over the years, this will mark the first time the two sides meet in a competitive fixture, and it’s shaping up to be a fiery showdown that promises to capture the imagination of fans on both sides of the Causeway.
The Sailors will then face another stern test away from home in their second Group B encounter, when they take on 2024/25 Thai League 1 runners-up Bangkok United at the BG Stadium on 4 December. That will be followed by a home tie at Bishan Stadium on 17 December against either Laos’ Ezra FC or Myanmar’s Shan United – with the two sides set to contest a qualifying play-off.
Captain Hariss Harun and his teammates will resume their campaign in the new year with a trip to Vietnam to face reigning V.League 1 champions Nam Định FC at Thiên Trường Stadium on 29 January 2026, before closing out the group stage on 5 February with another home fixture against Cambodian Premier League winners PKR Svay Rieng.
The Sailors’ two home ties will be held at Bishan Stadium, as they look to secure a top-two finish in Group B to progress to the two-legged semi-finals, slated for 6 and 13 May 2026. The final – also played over two legs – is scheduled for 20 and 27 May.
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