The 33rd Southeast Asian Games, also known as SEA Games 2025, is going to be held in Thailand from December 9th to 20th, 2025.
You’ll see over 12,500 athletes from 11 different Southeast Asian countries competing. They’ll be taking part in 574 events across 50 sports disciplines. The action will be spread across three provinces: Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla. Bangkok’s famous Sanam Luang will even host the opening ceremony!
The games will feature a thrilling mix of popular Olympic sports, along with regional favorites like sepak takraw and pencak silat. You’ll also notice newer events, like esports and cricket, becoming more popular.
With strong teams from places like Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam competing against emerging nations such as the Philippines, you can anticipate some truly intense matchups. For those interested in sports betting, especially if you’re searching for a top-rated sportsbook in Singapore, these games will definitely present a wide range of exciting and high-stakes opportunities.
Boxing: Always a Knockout Favorite
For those interested in the SEA Games 2025, intense matchups and exciting moments are expected in the boxing ring. Boxing has consistently been one of the most captivating sports at the SEA Games, largely due to its thrilling one-on-one battles and the possibility of unexpected results.
The Philippines has a strong history of success in boxing at these games, often leading the medal count, including a very impressive performance at the 2023 SEA Games where their athletes secured several gold medals. The country is well-known for developing exceptional boxing talents, with some past SEA Games participants, such as Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial, going on to compete in the Olympics and as professional fighters.
With quick rounds and highly skilled boxers from strong boxing nations like Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, individuals involved in sports gambling Singapore can certainly anticipate close contests and significant action during the upcoming SEA Games.
Basketball: Intense Rivalries and Big Upset Potential
Basketball at the SEA Games is always a huge draw. You’ll find incredibly passionate fans and intense rivalries, especially when the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand face off. Historically, the Philippines, with its “Gilas Pilipinas” team, has been the powerhouse, winning the most gold medals in men’s basketball since the sport began at the Games in 1977.
Countries like Indonesia and Thailand are quickly getting better, which means the gap between teams is shrinking. This comes even as the Philippine national team produced exceptional players such as June Mar Fajardo and Thirdy Ravena, who have become well-known both in the Philippines and around the world.
However, things have gotten more exciting recently, as Indonesia has emerged as a strong contender. They even ended the Philippines’ amazing 13-year gold medal streak by winning the men’s title at the 2023 SEA Games. With the top teams becoming more evenly matched and new, younger players joining the rosters, legal sports betting Singapore for the 2025 SEA Games basketball tournaments could offer some truly unexpected moments and great opportunities to support an underdog!
Football: Where the Underdogs Shift the Odds
In SEA Games football, you’ll find that anything can happen, and that’s a big part of the excitement. Sure, strong teams like Thailand have historically been at the top, winning 16 gold medals by 2023.
But lately, even the less-expected teams have been making a real impact. Take Vietnam, for instance; they managed to win gold medals two times in a row, in 2019 and 2021. This showed off emerging talents like Nguyen Tien Linh, a fantastic striker who was crucial to their victories.
Now that the tournament features U-22 squads, you’re seeing a lot of fresh talent, results you might not expect, and upset wins that can really shake up the Singapore sports betting online scene.
When it comes to football at the SEA Games, it’s not just about supporting the team everyone expects to win anymore. It’s truly about finding out who the next big team will be.
Badminton: Speed, Precision, and Regional Dominance
When you watch badminton at the SEA Games, you’re seeing a thrilling display where speed, accuracy, and regional strength all come together. This sport has been a key event since 1959, and Indonesia has really dominated, winning over 100 gold medals across singles, doubles, and team competitions.
In recent years, you’ve probably noticed Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand. He really shined, taking home the men’s singles gold in 2021, and he’s still making a name for himself as a world-class player in 2025.
His skill in playing effectively from anywhere on the court, combined with his strong mental game, truly highlights the intense competition found in SEA Games badminton. In this event, powerful teams from countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore are always battling for the top position, showcasing their incredibly fast rallies and clever strategies.
Athletics: A Track Record of Surprise Wins
It’s always fascinating how athletics at the SEA Games brings out both the usual champions and those incredible underdog stories that totally flip what everyone expects. While powerhouse teams like Thailand and Vietnam often grab most of the medals, Singapore has truly made its mark, especially in sprints and long-distance races.
One name that truly stands out is Veronica Shanti Pereira. She famously won double gold in both the 100m and 200m at the 2023 SEA Games, and you can expect her to be defending those titles in 2025. Her success has really motivated a new generation of Singaporean athletes, including Soh Rui Yong, who holds national records in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and the marathon, and is returning to the SEA Games after a short break.
With fresh talent coming up and the competitive landscape always changing, athletics continues to be an exciting category for betting, especially since the underdogs often manage to surprise everyone and take the win.
Esports: A Digital Goldmine Emerging
With over 11 countries competing and viewership numbers climbing past 1.4 million at one time, esports has really secured its spot as one of the most exciting and wager-worthy events at the SEA Games.
It’s truly becoming a digital goldmine, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is still the main event, headlining for the fourth time in a row. When it comes to the men’s MLBB tournament, the Philippines has been unbeatable since 2019, taking home three consecutive gold medals with powerhouse teams like Sibol, which included stars from Blacklist International and Falcons AP Bren.
Meanwhile, Indonesia secured the gold for women’s MLBB in 2023, and they’re bringing top-tier teams across several other games this year. You’ll also see fierce competition in games like Free Fire, FC Online, Arena of Valor, and Honor of Kings, with strong contenders coming from countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Betting Smart at the SEA Games 2025
The SEA Games 2025 in Thailand is shaping up to be incredibly exciting, with 50 sports and 574 events featuring thousands of athletes from all over Southeast Asia. It’s going to be a non-stop thrill for everyone, whether they’re fans just watching or those placing bets.
There’s truly no end to the betting opportunities, from supporting well-known teams in boxing and badminton to looking for unexpected victories in football and esports.
As new talents emerge and existing rivalries intensify across Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla, clever bettors will be keeping an eye not just on who wins medals, but also on how things are shifting, the betting odds, and any surprising standout performances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which sportsbooks in Singapore can I use to bet on the SEA Games this 2025?
While Singapore has strict gambling laws—especially after the Remote Gambling Act of 2014—there are still safe and legal options for online betting. At CasinoRankingSG, we feature the top and trusted sportsbooks in Singapore where you can place bets on a wide range of sports disciplines in the upcoming SEA Games 2025.
What sports are usually part of the SEA Games?
The SEA Games typically offer a diverse range of sports and activities. These often include aquatics, athletics, basketball, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, floorball, football, tennis, shooting, and badminton. Among these, you’ll find several popular events that create a truly exciting competition.
When do the SEA Games happen?
The Southeast Asian Games, or simply SEA Games, take place every four years. It’s a major sporting event, similar to global competitions like the FIFA and FIBA World Cups and even the Olympics.
In which country will the 2025 SEA Games take place?
The 33rd edition of the SEA Games, a highly anticipated event in Southeast Asia, will be held in Thailand. This marks the seventh time Thailand has had the honor of hosting these exciting games. Specifically, the events will be spread across three main locations: Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla.
Which countries are competing in 2025?
All 11 nations from Southeast Asia are expected to participate in this year’s games in Thailand. The countries joining are Vietnam, East Timor, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Brunei.
Which country has the best record in SEA Games betting markets?
When it comes to medal counts, especially in sports like badminton, athletics, and martial arts, countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand have historically been very strong contenders. This means athletes from these nations often have a higher chance of winning in those particular events.