Kim Sang-wook Throws Ceremonial First Pitch as Ulsan Whales Set KBO Futures League Attendance Record

【Financial News Ulsan = Reporter Choi Soo-sang】 The Ulsan Whales’ final home game of the 2026 Futures League season set a new KBO Futures League attendance record. The team also made history by reaching the postseason in its inaugural season.
Kim Sang-wook, mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City, also threw the ceremonial first pitch for the first time since taking office and received an enthusiastic response from Ulsan Whales fans.
A total of 7,310 spectators watched the Ulsan Whales’ final home game of the season at Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium on the 13th. This surpassed the previous KBO Futures League attendance record of 7,299, set at the Ulsan Whales’ season opener on March 20.
The Ulsan Whales also surpassed 70,000 home spectators in their inaugural season, recording a cumulative attendance of 71,113 for their 2026 home games.
The Ulsan Whales defeated KT Wiz 6–0 in the game, securing a place in the semifinals of the Futures Championship. As a result, the team reached the postseason in its inaugural season and will challenge for the first championship in club history.
The Ulsan Whales currently lead the Southern League with a regular-season record of 56 wins, 37 losses and one tie. Although the second-place Lotte Giants have played five fewer games, the Whales have at least secured a semifinal berth.
Manager Jang Won-jin of the Ulsan Whales said, "I am proud that the players did not give up until the end and produced a good result in our inaugural season." He added, "Together with the players, we will do our best in the remaining two regular-season games and throughout the postseason to bring joy to the citizens of Ulsan."


The baseball community has praised the Ulsan Whales’ progress. The newly founded club’s repeated breaking of the KBO Futures League attendance record is being viewed as evidence that Ulsan’s strong passion for and interest in baseball has translated into actual success at the gate.
The Ulsan Whales, which launched as a civic club, have also been praised for demonstrating new possibilities for baseball in Ulsan by challenging for the top spot in the league from their first season.
Meanwhile, Kim Sang-wook, mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City, threw the ceremonial first pitch at the game, encouraged the players and interacted with Ulsan citizens. He moved closer to the front of the mound to reduce the distance to the catcher, then threw the ball accurately into the catcher’s glove.
Before the ceremonial first pitch, Mayor Kim said in his remarks, "The Ulsan Whales are doing well," and asked citizens to give the team their full support. He continued, "We will work to ensure that the Ulsan Whales become a club loved by citizens and one that works together with them."
After throwing the ceremonial first pitch, Mayor Kim watched the game with KBO Commissioner Heo Gu-yeon and was reported to have exchanged views on various matters.
[email protected] Choi Soo-sang Reporter