You can hear the crowds as you exit the subway station for Jamsil Stadium. It’s part song, part cheer, and pretty much blows out your ears until you have a few minutes to adjust. This year, we joined a group of expats for a few Korean baseball games and the one thing we can all agree on is how much we loved it! We have decidedly become fans of the Doosan Bears, one of the teams in Seoul. Part of what makes Korean baseball so appealing is the fun and friendly atmosphere. There is no underlying sense of crazed competitiveness. People are there to have a good time and enjoy themselves no matter the outcome.

There are cheerleaders, mascots and lots of beer and food (imagine eating ramen in your seat)! You quickly realize that the crowds are involved in every players experience. Each batter gets their own intro song, some are American classics with Korean words (surfing USA) – nevertheless, easy enough to follow along with. Think hand signs, catchy jingles… and everyone in the crowd knows each and every chant.

What also makes Korean baseball so great is the affordability. Unlike the States where professional league games are ridiculously expensive, you can enjoy baseball for around $50-60 USD for a family of four. Food and drinks are not overly expensive, but they will get you with all the swag. No one loves accessories more than Koreans, especially if it has a cute mascot. So we sprung for jerseys and hopefully we can wear them through out our time here.

So whether you are in Seoul to stay or just for a visit, do yourself a favor and catch a Korean baseball game. Klook has options for various sporting events, but you can also buy tickets at the stadium 90 minutes prior to the games.