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! The Korean Baseball fan experience is top notch!
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Doosan Bears – Our Favorite Korean Baseball Team
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. With a few foreigners on each team, it’s fun to follow your favorite athletes and learn their cheers.
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 (like surfing USA) – nevertheless, easy enough to follow along with. Think hand signs, catchy jingles… and everyone in the crowd knows each and every chant. It’s a crowd experience unlike any other. Pro Tip: If you have any difficulty with noise levels, I suggest bringing a set of earplugs just in case.
Tickets & Swag
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 $60-80 USD for a family of four. While it can be tricky to get tickets as a foreigner, you can purchase tickets here that include food items as well, or you can roll the dice and buy tickets at the stadium 90 minutes prior to the games.
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 of course, we got in line and sprung for jerseys like the super fans we have become. Hopefully we can wear them through out our time here and keep them as fun memories of Korea. You can also get hats, headbands, noisemakers, stickers, trading cards and so much more.
How to Get to Jamsil Sports Complex
Jamsil Sports Complex sits pretty well in the middle of Seoul, so it is very easy to access via public transportation. We have always used the subway to get to games and you walk up directly outside the stadium. Couldn’t be easier. We have also had luck catching players in the subway station after the game, so you never know!
By Subway
- Line 2 (Green Line) – Get off at Sports Complex Station, Exit 5 or 6 → exits lead directly to the stadium area.
- Line 9 (Gold Line) – Transfer-friendly option; also stops at Sports Complex Station, Exit 6 or 7.
- Tip: Line 9 is a great choice if you’re coming from Gangnam, Yeouido, or Gimpo Airport.
By Bus
Local Blue Buses (Main city routes):
- 301, 333, 341, 360, 362 — stop directly at or near Sports Complex
Green (Neighborhood) Buses:
- 2225, 2415, 3217, 3411, 3412, 3414, 3417
Red (Express) Buses:
- 9403, 9507, 9607 — ideal from outer Seoul or Gyeonggi Province
Get off at: Sports Complex Station
Final Thoughts
There are so many fun activities in Seoul and whether you live here or are just in town for vacation, there is really no better way to spend a weekend than at a Korean Baseball game. So do yourself a favor and get some tickets and get ready to have the most fun cultural experience.
If you liked this post and want more ideas of great activities in Seoul, check out my post on visiting Lotte World Tower. It’s a stunning view from 123 floors up into the sky. And while you are in the area, go ahead and check out our visit to Lotte World Amusement Park, one of Korea’s favorite theme parks. It’s a fun double header.
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