Culture Ministry Seeks Sites for Sports-and-Entertainment Dome Stadiums; Completion Targeted for 2034

Large-Scale: 40,000+ Seats; Medium-Sized: 20,000-40,000 Seats... One Site Each

Letters of Intent Due Oct. 28; Proposals Due Dec. 8

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will invite applications to select sites for sports-and-entertainment dome stadiums that can host large-scale international sporting events and performances throughout the year.

The ministry announced on October 14 that it would invite applications from metropolitan and provincial governments and public institutions nationwide to select sites for sports-and-entertainment dome stadiums. Applications will be accepted through December 8.

The project, part of the national policy agenda “Sports for Everyone to Enjoy,” aims to establish infrastructure for hosting a variety of events throughout the year, including large-scale international competitions, sporting events, and performances. The ministry plans to select one site each for a large-scale and a medium-sized dome stadium.

The large-scale dome stadium will have a capacity of at least 40,000 seats and be able to accommodate at least 50,000 people. The medium-sized dome stadium will have a capacity of at least 20,000 but fewer than 40,000 seats. The ministry said it would develop the dome stadiums as spaces for sports and cultural experiences, as well as signature tourist attractions for visitors from Korea and abroad.

Metropolitan and provincial governments nationwide and public institutions covered by the Act on the Management of Public Institutions are eligible to apply. Public institutions must obtain approval from their parent institutions. Applicants may propose up to one site each for a large-scale and a medium-sized dome stadium, and may also submit plans for operation and use that reflect local conditions and demand, along with plans for the participation of partner organizations.

Participating institutions must submit letters of intent by October 28, followed by proposals by December 8. The ministry will also accept questions about the application process through October 28 and plans to provide answers collectively. Detailed information, including eligibility requirements and required documents, is available in the application notice posted on the ministry’s website. The ministry will form an evaluation committee of outside experts to assess three areas: the feasibility of the proposed plans for use, the suitability of the site, and the project’s viability and expected benefits. Following a document review from December 9 to 14, the ministry will conduct on-site inspections and presentations from December 17 to 28, and plans to select the final sites at the end of December.

For the selected sites, preliminary surveys and the development of master plans will proceed through the first half of 2027. After follow-up procedures, including a preliminary feasibility study, begin in the second half of 2027, the project will proceed through design and permitting, with completion targeted for 2034.

However, this application process is a step to select sites for follow-up procedures, including a preliminary feasibility study. Site selection itself does not grant applicants or other parties any separate legal status.

Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, “I hope sports-and-entertainment dome stadiums will become stages that showcase the appeal of Korea’s sports and K-culture to the world. Through a fair evaluation, we will select sites suited to moving the project forward and create hubs that enrich people’s enjoyment of sports and culture while energizing local tourism and the economy.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.