This is my guide to the Empress Grandstand at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix night race.
It includes videos of the views from this sand, my tips on picking the best seats, ticket information and more.
Contents
Empress Grandstand location
The Empress grandstand is on the outside (right-hand side) of turns 11 and 12 of the Singapore GP track layout.
It used to be called the Orange Empress stand, but now it’s just the Empress.
Zone
It’s in Zone 4 of the Marina Bay Circuit Park, which means you only get access to that specific Zone when you have a ticket for this stand. You can’t access Zones 1, 2, or 3.
Empress Grandstand details
Cover
This grandstand is completely uncovered and exposed to the weather.
The Singapore Grand Prix is at night but some of the earlier practice session take place at dusk, so it could be hot. It will be very humid and there’s always a chance of it raining. Check out my guide to the Singapore GP dress code for some info on what to wear to stay comfortable.
Seats
The seats are individual chairs with folding seat bases.
TV screens
There’s one large TV screen on the other side of the track directly opposite this stand. You can see this in some of the videos lower down the page.
Empress Grandstand F1 tickets
Tickets for the Empress grandstand often sell out quickly on the official site. So instead I’d recommend buying tickets through StubHub instead, where there’s always lots available, even right before the race weekend. Sometimes you can find them cheaper than list price, plus there are lots of single-day ticket options too.
I’ve bought F1 tickets through StubHub many times over the last few seasons and have always had a great experience dealing with them. Their FanProtect guarantee is will keep your tickets / money safe too.
- Tickets include free rides on the Singapore Flyer observation wheel
Tickets include access to all Zones 4 only, which is the same as a Zone 4 walkabout ticket but with the addition of reserved seats in this stand. Zone 4 is where the Padang Stage is for the headline acts of the Singapore F1 concerts. You can’t access the stage in Zone 1 with this ticket, however.
This is one of the more expensive Zone 4 grandstands.
Empress Grandstand seating plan
Below is the seating plan for the Empress Grandstand at the Singapore F1.
As the seating plan shows the grandstand is split in to seven sections named A1 to A7. Section A1 is the closest to Turn 11 and Section A7 is the closest to Turn 13.
The grandstand is quite steeply tiered. Row 1 is the front row lowest down and Row 16 is the back row highest up.
Seat numbers increase from right to left (if you stand on the track and look up at the stand). The seat numbers start from 1 at each section, and each section is 16 seats wide.
Empress Grandstand view
From the Empress Grandstand you can see the cars as they exit Turn 11. They’ll pass through the left-kink of Turn 12 right in front of you, then you’ll lose them out of sight as they go under the arch of the Anderson Bridge and head down towards Turn 13.
The map below shows the areas of track visible from the grandstand highlighted in pink:
This video was filmed from Section A3, Row 11. As it shows, from here you have a view looking directly along the Anderston Bridge down towards Turn 13, and you’re almost directly opposite the TV. Video credit Gert Jan Gerrits:
And this video was filmed from section A5 Row 2. Video credit Kristy Miller:
This next video was filmed from a little further to the right and lower down, section A6, Row 6. It This position means you lose the cars out of sight as soon as they enter the bridge. Video credit Zhi Zhong Ng:
Best seats in the Empress Grandstand
I’d try and get seats that give you a similar view to that shown in the first video above.
So aim for sections A2 or A3 in rows 10 and up, to get the best view of the cars for longest as they head down towards Turn 13.
Is the Empress Grandstand a good place to sit?
You’re unlikely to see much overtaking here as this is a pretty narrow part of the track (but then there’s not that much overtaking anywhere else either).
But this spot feels like you get really close to the action, plus you have a nice background of Marina Bay Sands as you look across the Anderson Bridge.
Being in Zone 4 means it’s also not too far to walk to the Padang Stage if you want to see the headline music acts at the end of the night.
Nearest entrance & MRT station
Gate 4 is the nearest spectator entrance.
The nearest MRT station to Gate 4 is the Raffles Place Station (EW14 / NS26). This is a really short walk away from the entrance, and you can also use gates 5 or 6 as alternative options.
See my guide to entrances & MRT stations at the Singapore GP for additional information on how to get to the circuit.
For information on precise F1 timings across the weekend, check out the full Singapore GP schedule.
Other Singapore GP grandstands
Here’s my spectating guides for the other grandstands at the Singapore Grand Prix:
