Seoul Arena to open next June; Oh Se-hoon inspects site ahead of opening

[Financial News] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited Seoul Arena, the country’s largest dedicated performance venue, on the 23rd to inspect construction progress and preparations for its opening next June. He also reviewed plans for transportation and pedestrian safety and for revitalizing the surrounding commercial district in preparation for large crowds, as well as the construction of the venue.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul Arena, under construction in Chang-dong, Dobong-gu, is currently 81% complete and is scheduled to be completed in May 2027 and open in June. The complex cultural facility will include a large performance hall with a capacity of up to 28,000 and a medium-sized hall with a capacity of 7,000, among other facilities.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government expects around 2.7 million tourists a year to visit the Chang-dong area after the venue opens. Under the “K-Entertainment Town, Chang-dong” development plan announced last April, the city aims to create a new cultural and economic hub in northeastern Seoul by combining the performance industry with tourism and commerce, with Seoul Arena at its center.
After touring the venue’s interior facilities that day, Oh visited the commercial district around Changdong Station and sites where pedestrian areas are being improved to check preparations for the opening.
He said, “Seoul Arena will be a place for a variety of musical performances, including K-pop, and a key hub for ushering in a new heyday for Gangbuk by bringing fresh vitality to northeastern Seoul. Until it opens next June, I will carefully oversee not only construction of the venue and preparations for its operation, but also visitor safety in transportation and pedestrian areas and the revitalization of the surrounding commercial district.”
The venue will also include facilities supporting popular music, a convention center and commercial facilities. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to operate the popular music support facilities directly, help emerging musicians and small and medium-sized agencies, and develop professionals in performance planning, marketing and management. It will also provide training for performance technicians, including stage, sound and lighting staff.
Interest from the performance industry is also growing ahead of the opening. The first regular booking period for the second half of 2027, held last month, saw a competition ratio of up to 4:1.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to improve the commercial environment around Changdong Station so that concertgoers will also visit nearby shops. It will renovate the rear area of NH Hanaro Mart across from Seoul Arena and install pop-up stores there, while pursuing plans for an outdoor market and temporary sales facilities along the route from Changdong Station to the venue.
A nighttime commercial district called “Seoul Moonlight Night Market” will be established in the food alley near Changdong Station. It is one of six pilot commercial districts selected by the Seoul Metropolitan Government this year. The plan is to create a food-focused street and nighttime scenery, and link them with cultural events such as busking to encourage visitors to stay in the area before and after performances. 
Measures are also being prepared to reduce traffic congestion caused by large-scale performances. Since last September, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has been discussing ways to disperse audience members leaving at the end of performances with an administrative consultative body formed with Dobong-gu, Nowon-gu and the Seoul Arena operator.
Options under consideration include running temporary trains on subway Lines 1 and 4, increasing city bus service and introducing shuttle buses connecting the venue with nearby subway stations. 
Pedestrian improvements will also be carried out. A pedestrian deck will be installed along the Jungnangcheon stream to expand the route from Seoul Arena to Nowon Station, and the space beneath the elevated section at Changdong Station will also be redesigned with pedestrians in mind. These measures aim to disperse in several directions the crowds that could otherwise converge on Changdong Station after performances.

[email protected] Seong Chorong Reporter