Gocheok Sky Dome

Gocheok Sky Dome
Map
Location430, Gyeongin-ro, Gocheok-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Coordinates37°29′53.6″N 126°52′02.1″E / 37.498222°N 126.867250°E / 37.498222; 126.867250
OwnerCity of Seoul
OperatorSeoul Metropolitan Facilities Management Corporation
Capacity16,744 (baseball)[1]
Field sizeLeft Field – 99 metres (325 ft)

Right Field – 99 metres (325 ft)
Center Field – 122 metres (400 ft)

Outfield Fence Height – 3.8 metres (12 ft)
SurfaceArtificial turf
Construction
Broke groundFebruary 2009
Built2009–2015
Opened15 September 2015
Construction cost240 billion won
ArchitectIlgeon Architects
ATEC Architects
Main contractorsHyundai Development Company
Hanjin Heavy Industries
Sungjee Construction
Tenants
Nexen / Kiwoom Heroes (2016–present)

The Gocheok Sky Dome (Korean: 고척스카이돔)[2] is a domed baseball stadium located in Gocheok-dong, Seoul, South Korea. It is the home ballpark of KBO club Kiwoom Heroes.[3] The stadium is primarily used for baseball and has a capacity for 16,744 spectators for baseball games.[1] The stadium replaced Dongdaemun Baseball Stadium and opened on 15 September 2015. It also serves as a concert venue, with a capacity for around 25,000 spectators.[4]

History

In 2017, Gocheok Dome hosted the first round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, featuring host nations South Korea, Taiwan, Netherlands, and Israel.[5]

In 2019, Gocheok Dome hosted the opening round of Group C at the 2019 WBSC Premier 12. South Korea, Cuba, Australia and Canada competed in Group C, and a total of six matches were held at Gocheok Dome. The South Korea national team advanced to the super round as the top of the group with three wins in the Group C qualifying round.[6]

In 2020, all KBO League postseason games after the first round were played at Gocheok Dome due to cold weather.[7]

The venue hosted the final of the 2023 League of Legends World Championship on 19 November 2023.[8]

The stadium hosted the opening series of the 2024 MLB season between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in March 2024.[9] The MLB Seoul Series, as part of the MLB World Tour, included the first MLB regular season games played in South Korea.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b 돔구장소개. sisul.or.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  2. ^ 국내 최초 돔구장 '고척스카이돔' 별칭 생겼다 (in Korean). MoneyToday. MoneyToday. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Gocheok Sky Dome". Nexen Heroes (in Korean). Heroes. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  4. ^ "S. Korea's first baseball dome opens, tenant still needed". Yonhap News Agency. Yonhap News Agency. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  5. ^ "S. Korea's first baseball dome opens, tenant still needed". MLB.com. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  6. ^ 캡틴 김현수의 간절한 바람, 우승 영광보다 '홈 팬'에게 승리를.
  7. ^ "KBO's postseason to begin Nov. 1". Yonhap News Agency. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Announcing Worlds 2023 Venues, Dates, and Ticket Sales". lolesports.com. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  9. ^ Boeck, Scott; Yomtov, Jesse (21 March 2024). "Dodgers vs. Padres highlights: San Diego wins wild one, Yamamoto struggles in MLB Korea finale". USA Today. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Dodgers-Padres to play first MLB game in South Korea in 2024". ESPN. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2024.