Seoul Arena, with capacity for 28,000, to be developed into a K-culture tourism hub

[Financial News] The government will review preparations for the opening of Seoul Arena, the country’s largest dedicated pop music venue, which can accommodate up to 28,000 people. It will also examine accommodation and tourism conditions for concertgoers, along with safety measures.
On the 28th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Minister Choi Hwi-young would visit the Seoul Arena construction site in Chang-dong, Dobong District, Seoul, at 5 p.m. that day. He is expected to receive a briefing on the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s construction progress and opening preparations before inspecting the site.
Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Sung-hwan and lawmakers Oh Ki-hyung and Kim Jae-seop are also expected to accompany him on the visit.
Construction of Seoul Arena began in November 2023, and it is targeting an opening next June. It is also set to serve as the main venue for Phenomenon, a K-culture event that the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange plans to hold next December.
The venue will feature a flexible stage whose configuration can be changed depending on the performance, as well as sound systems for music performances. The seating has also been designed with audience sightlines in mind.
The expansion of dedicated pop music venues is intended to meet growing demand for performances. According to the Korea Arts Management Service’s “2025 Report on Ticket Sales in the Performance Market,” the number of pop music performances in Korea rose from 3,619 in 2023 to 4,677 last year. Over the same period, ticket sales increased from 576.6 billion won to 981.7 billion won.
However, indoor venues that can host performances regardless of the weather are in short supply, and many existing facilities were designed as sports venues or exhibition halls. There have been calls for spaces specifically designed for pop music.
The inspection will focus on transport and accommodation conditions ahead of the opening, plans to link the venue with local tourism resources, audience entry and exit routes, and crowd management plans. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to work with local governments to establish Seoul Arena as a K-culture tourism hub.
Minister Choi said, “The central government will also work with local governments to make Seoul Arena an iconic hub for Korean pop music and a popular tourist destination.” He called for the construction to be completed safely and for a cultural space to be created where citizens and concertgoers can enjoy themselves together.


[email protected] Jang In-seo Reporter