SEA Games 2025 Bangkok: Full Guide to Sports, Venues & Where to Watch

Bangkok is the beating heart of the 2025 SEA Games, serving as the main host city and welcoming over 30 sports across more than 40 iconic venues. From the legendary Rajamangala National Stadium to the modern arenas of Muang Thong Thani, the capital will transform into a massive competitive hub for athletes from across Southeast Asia. Whether you are a dedicated sports fan, a traveller exploring the city, or a local ready to cheer, this guide will help you navigate the massive lineup of sports held in Bangkok, the medal favourites, and the key schedules to watch.

The SEA Games is the largest multi-sport event in the region, bringing together 11 nations: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Brunei, and Timor-Leste. With Bangkok’s mix of world-class stadiums, historic landmarks, and vibrant street life, the city offers the ultimate stage for the Games’ biggest moments, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

All Sports Hosted in Bangkok & Vicinity

Based on the official venue allocation, Bangkok (and its immediate metropolitan area) will host the majority of the events, including:

• Ceremonies: Opening & Closing Ceremonies
• Aquatics: Swimming, Diving, Artistic Swimming, Water Polo
• Athletics: Track & Field
• Football: Men’s Football (Semi-finals & Finals), Futsal
• Combat Sports: Muay Thai, Boxing, Taekwondo, Judo, Karate, Wushu, Jujitsu, Pencak Silat, Fencing
• Court Sports: Basketball (5x5 & 3x3), Volleyball (Indoor), Badminton, Sepak Takraw, Netball
• Precision Sports: Shooting, Billiards & Snooker, Bowling, Archery
• Others: E-Sports, Gymnastics (Artistic, Rhythmic, Aerobic), Ice Hockey, Figure Skating, Table Tennis, Weightlifting (some categories), Floorball

Events will be distributed across key zones: Hua Mark Sports Complex (SAT), National Stadium (Pathum Wan), Muang Thong Thani, and various university arenas.

Sports Breakdown, Venue Highlights, and Medal Contenders

Below is a detailed look at the major sports taking place in Bangkok, where to go, and who to watch.

1. Football (Men’s Finals)

• Venue: Rajamangala National Stadium
• The crown jewel of the SEA Games. While group stages may be played elsewhere, the electric semi-finals and finals will rock Rajamangala. Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia are the fiercest rivals here. Expect a full house and deafening cheers if the "War Elephants" (Thailand) make the final.

2. Athletics (Track & Field)

• Venue: Suphachalasai National Stadium
• The historic home of Thai sports. Watch the region’s fastest sprinters and endurance runners. Thailand dominates the sprints and relays (especially the men’s 4x100m), while Vietnam has recently been the powerhouse in middle-distance and women’s events. The Philippines often shines in hurdles and pole vault.

3. Volleyball (Indoor)

• Venue: Indoor Stadium Huamark
• One of the hottest tickets in town. The Thai Women’s Volleyball Team are world-class superstars and undeniably the heavy favourites for gold. Indonesia and Vietnam will battle hard in the men’s division.

4. Aquatics – Swimming

• Venue: SAT Swimming Pool, Hua Mark
• Singapore is the undisputed king of the pool in Southeast Asia, led by their Olympic-level swimmers. However, Vietnam and Thailand have been closing the gap in middle-distance and individual medley events.

5. Muay Thai

• Venue: Lumpinee Boxing Stadium (Ram Intra)
• There is no better place to watch Muay Thai than its spiritual home. As the host and birthplace of the sport, Thailand aims to sweep the gold medals, but Vietnam, Cambodia (Kun Khmer), and Laos bring very strong fighters to the ring.

6. Sepak Takraw

• Venue: Nakhon Pathom / Bangkok Venues
• The "volleyball with feet" sport is a must-see for international visitors. Thailand is the global giant of this sport, known for their gravity-defying bicycle kicks. Malaysia is their traditional arch-rival, making any Thai-Malaysia match a thriller.

7. Badminton

• Venue: Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus) or Nimibutr Stadium
• Expect world-class action. Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand are global powerhouses. With local stars like Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the atmosphere will be intense.

8. Basketball (5x5)

• Venue: Nimibutr Stadium
• The Philippines (Gilas Pilipinas) is the absolute dominant force in SEA basketball. Thailand and Indonesia are the main challengers looking to stage an upset on home soil.

9. E-Sports

• Venue: Chulalongkorn University / Impact Arena
• E-sports continues to grow explosively. Indonesia and the Philippines are very strong in MOBA games (like MLBB), while Thailand often excels in shooters (PUBG Mobile, Valorant) and EA FC.

10. Billiards & Snooker

• Venue: IMPACT Muang Thong Thani
• Moved to the capital to accommodate larger crowds. Thailand (with former world pros) and Singapore are the top contenders on the green baize.

Countries Participating in Bangkok Events

• Thailand (Host Nation)
• Indonesia
• Vietnam
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Myanmar
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Brunei
• Timor-Leste

Key Dates for SEA Games in Bangkok

Bangkok is busy throughout the entire duration of the games (Dec 9–20, 2025).

Opening Ceremony: December 9, 2025 (Rajamangala Stadium) – Expect a spectacular show.

Football Final (Men): December 20, 2025 (Evening) – The closing highlight.

Athletics Finals: Spread across the first week (Dec 10–14).

Swimming Finals: Daily in the evenings during the first week.

Volleyball Finals: Final weekend of the games.

Closing Ceremony: December 20, 2025.

Where to Buy SEA Games Tickets in Bangkok

Ticketing will be managed by the official organising committee.

Online: Official SEA Games 2025 website.

On-site: Ticket booths at Rajamangala Stadium, Indoor Stadium Huamark, and major venues.

Price: Many preliminary rounds are inexpensive or free. High-demand events (Football Finals, Volleyball, Opening Ceremony) will require advance booking.

Explore Bangkok Between Matches

You will be in one of the world’s most exciting cities. Between cheering for your team, take advantage of Bangkok’s legendary offerings:

• Culture: Visit Wat Arun and the Grand Palace near the river.
• Shopping: From the luxury of ICONSIAM to the bargains at Chatuchak Weekend Market (perfect for buying souvenirs).
• Food: Don't miss the street food at Jodd Fairs or Chinatown (Yaowarat) at night.

Whether you are here for the roar of the stadium or the taste of Pad Thai, Bangkok promises an unforgettable SEA Games experience.