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South Korean baseball league surpasses 10 million spectators for third consecutive year

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The KBO League has surpassed 10 million spectators for the third consecutive year, reaching the mark faster than in previous seasons.
  • The league's growing popularity is driven by a significant increase in female fans aged 20-30 and families attending games as a leisure activity.
  • Enhanced fan experiences, including merchandise, food, and social media engagement, along with improved stadium infrastructure, contribute to the sustained high attendance.

South Korea's professional baseball league, the KBO League, has once again crossed the 10 million spectator mark, marking the third consecutive year for this achievement. As of May 26, the league has recorded 10,024,140 attendees. Notably, the league is reaching this milestone faster each season, with this year's 10 million mark achieved in just 565 games, a record low.

The biggest change has been the influx of female fans in their 20s and 30s.

— Kim Do-kyunProfessor at Kyung Hee University's Graduate School of Sports, analyzing the league's success.

A significant shift in the fan demographic is a key factor behind this sustained success. Data shows that women now constitute the majority of KBO spectators at 56.7%, a reversal from 2016 when men made up the larger portion. This demographic change, coupled with the league's appeal to families seeking leisure activities, has reshaped the fan base.

Women fans have become the core consumer base, which is the reason for the three consecutive years of reaching 10 million spectators.

— Kim Do-kyunFurther explanation on the impact of female fans.

Experts attribute this trend to the growing influence of female fans in their 20s and 30s, who actively engage with baseball content online, wear team merchandise, and participate in cheering. "Women fans have become the core consumer base, which is the reason for the three consecutive years of reaching 10 million spectators," explained Kim Do-kyun, a professor at Kyung Hee University's Graduate School of Sports. The experience at the ballpark has also evolved beyond just watching the game, encompassing cheering, merchandise, food, and photo opportunities, transforming stadiums into entertainment spaces.

Events are designed to be enjoyed by both young people and families.

— Samsung Lions representativeDescribing the club's strategy for fan engagement.

Clubs are adapting by offering diverse events and merchandise tailored to younger demographics and families. The affordability of attending a game, typically costing between 20,000 to 30,000 won for over three hours of entertainment, makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious young adults. Furthermore, the proliferation of short-form video content and highlights shared on social media platforms has increased the league's visibility and sparked curiosity among new audiences. Coupled with significant investments in modern stadium infrastructure, these factors have created a positive cycle of fan engagement and return visits.

Compared to cultural performances, baseball games are relatively inexpensive.

— Jeon Yong-baeProfessor at Dankook University's Department of Sports Management, discussing affordability.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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