[photo from visitseoul.net]

E-Sports Stadium is the first sports venue in the world designed specifically for online gaming. (e-Sports is the abbreviation of “Electronic Sports”.) Opened in December 2005, the e-Sports Stadium is an arena that hosts online games in the form of sports coverage, so that while professional gamers (or pro-gamers) are playing a game on stage, spectators are cheering from the gallery.

Ever since cable TV channels first began televising online games (i.e. Starcraft), the craze for e-sports has grown exponentially and the need for an exclusive venue for e-sports became evident. As a result, the stadium was built in 2005 to support and foster the e-sports craze. The title of "pro-gamer" is now considered a job and professional career, and world of sports commentating as expanded to include e-sports commentators. A total of 23 e-sports events are now officially recognized in Korea, and about 10 pro-gamer groups and over 400 pro-gamers are actively playing.

Gaming fans love the stadium because it is an arena where they can sit in the gallery and enjoy live commentary as they watch pro-gamers play in a transparent glass-fitted game room. Instead of teams, each fan cheers on their favorite pro-gamer.

Management Agency Korea e-Sports Association

About

E-Sports Stadium is the first sports venue in the world designed specifically for online gaming. (e-Sports is the abbreviation of “Electronic Sports”.) Opened in December 2005, the e-Sports Stadium is an arena that hosts online games in the form of sports coverage, so that while professional gamers (or pro-gamers) are playing a game on stage, spectators are cheering from the gallery.

Tip

Important! E-Sports stadium is located within I Park Mall, a large shopping complex that houses the I Park Department Store, E-Mart, CGV cinema and a digital shopping center. Here visitors can enjoy shopping and entertainment all under one roof. Yongsan Park is also nearby, a public venue that features green spaces, a pond and sculptures by world-renowned artists. Sculptures such as the Great Bench and statues embodying Korean cartoon characters are particularly interesting to look at. Yongsan Park features small themed areas as well such as Barefoot Park, where visitors can enjoy acupressure on the soles of their feet.

Information

Address 55, Hangang-daero 23-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Phone +82-2-737-3710

Website www.iparkmall.co.kr (English)

Hours of Operation Game times and ticket prices vary. Please refer to the website before visiting.

Parking Allowed

Stroller Rental Allowed