MCST Sets Public Sports Facility Renovation Budget at 255.8 Billion Won, Expanding It 2.7-Fold

[Financial News] The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) has set aside 255.8 billion won in its proposed 2027 budget for a public sports facility renovation support program. This is an increase of 160.5 billion won, or 168.4%, from this year's 95.3 billion won. Rather than building new facilities, the plan focuses on improving the safety and usability of aging facilities in local communities.
According to MCST on the 7th, about 70% of the 10,753 public sports facilities nationwide, excluding basic sports facilities, are more than 10 years old. Demand for renovations also rose from 381 cases in 2023 to 484 in 2025. As both the share of aging facilities and renovation demand increased, MCST decided to concentrate funding on upgrading existing facilities rather than constructing new ones.
MCST will raise the national funding rate for emergency safety renovations from 50% to 70%. The national funding rates for facilities more than 10 years old and for accessibility facilities for people with disabilities are 30% and 70%, respectively. For artificial-turf soccer fields vulnerable to heat waves, the government will support the installation of temperature-reduction equipment, such as sprinklers.
It will also support the installation of roofed membrane structures at outdoor sports facilities, including tennis courts, basketball courts and futsal courts. The measure will allow people to exercise during heat waves and periods of torrential rain, extending the hours in which existing spaces can be used.
In response to an era of 12 million professional baseball spectators and 3 million professional soccer spectators, stadium amenities such as seating and restrooms will be renovated. Women's restrooms, family-oriented spaces and aging broadcasting equipment will also be expanded or upgraded. Nationwide World Cup Stadiums will be transformed into multifunctional cultural and sports spaces capable of hosting community and professional sports, large-scale performances and other activities even when soccer matches are not being held.
The project application process will run from September through October this year. Following a review by a selection committee, the final recipients of support will be determined around December.
MCST Minister Choi Hwi-young said, "We have decisively expanded investment in public sports facilities based on the view that public health is national competitiveness." He added, "We will move forward with the relevant projects swiftly so that people can feel the changes."
[email protected] Jang In-seo Reporter