Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark to Add 3,000 Seats; Daejeon Metropolitan City, Hanwha Sign Agreement

[Financial News] Daejeon Metropolitan City and the Hanwha Eagles, a professional baseball team, have joined forces to expand seating at their home stadium, Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark, to 20,000 seats.
 Daejeon Metropolitan City and the Hanwha Eagles signed an investment agreement to expand Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark at the stadium's press center on the afternoon of the 6th. Daejeon Mayor Heo Tae-jeong and Hanwha Eagles CEO Park Jong-tae attended the signing ceremony and pledged to cooperate on expanding the stadium and revitalizing regional sports and the economy. They also agreed to expedite the administrative procedures required for the project.  The expansion is one of Mayor Heo's key pledges for his ninth elected term. The plan calls for adding 3,000 seats to the current 17,000-seat facility, bringing total capacity to 20,000 and addressing the chronic shortage of seats.
 The agreement's key provision is that the club will invest 25% of the total project cost, which is estimated at up to KRW 13 billion. Daejeon Metropolitan City will reduce project expenses, while Hanwha will improve the facilities, enhance stadium operating efficiency, and provide better services to fans and residents.
 The expansion is being pursued because of the strong demand for Hanwha Life Ballpark. Since the new stadium opened, tickets for home games have sold out day after day, intensifying competition for reservations and prompting considerable frustration among fans unable to obtain tickets. Increasing the number of seats is expected not only to improve access for fans but also to broaden the club's revenue base through ticket sales and merchandise and food-and-beverage revenue.
 Daejeon Metropolitan City plans to complete the administrative procedures required for the expansion by September next year, begin construction in October 2027 during the professional baseball offseason, and complete the project in March 2028.
 Mayor Heo said, "We will promptly pursue the expansion so that more residents can enjoy professional baseball at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark, a landmark of Daejeon."

[email protected] Kim Won-jun Reporter