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| People watch a 'League of Legends' Champions Korea match at LOL Park in Seoul. / Courtesy of Riot Korea |
By Kang Seung-woo
Amid a worldwide craze for esports, Korea, which has long been regarded as the Mecca of esports, is a pilgrimage destination for fans of professional video gaming.
As a result, it is not uncommon to find international travelers visiting the country to stop by esports stadia, as evidenced by reality TV shows showing quite a few foreigners who include the places in their itineraries
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Taking the growing interest into account, the government has stepped up efforts to take advantage of it as a new front for hallyu to attract more foreign tourists, announcing a plan to build up to five new esports arenas here by 2022 along with designating 100 internet cafes as esports facilities.
Here are some destinations for esports fans to visit when they are in Korea.
LOL Park
In 2018, Riot Korea, the Seoul office of video game developer and esports tournament organizer Riot Games, opened an exclusive "League of Legends" (LOL) themed complex named LOL Park.
Located on the third floor of the Grand Seoul building in central Seoul, it is the new home for "League of Legends" Champions Korea (LCK) with a capacity of 500 people. It is equipped with a variety of facilities including the LCK Arena, an LCK exhibition zone, an internet cafe with over 100 stations, a fan-meeting space and a dining zone.
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| Taiwanese fans cheer for their favorite team in the 'League of Legends' Champions Korea at LOL Park. / Courtesy of Riot Korea |
On top of the stage, three-sided light-emitting diode (LED) screens are installed, allowing visitors to enjoy the games from every angle.
The exhibition zone in the complex showcases the jerseys for the 10 teams in the league and mini-figurines of their players.
Tickets go on sale approximately a week before the match and although prices change for each, they are approximately $10 (12,000 won).
OGN e-Stadium
Located in Sangam near Seoul World Cup Stadium, western Seoul, OGN e-Stadium is comprised of the main stadium GiGA Arena and the auxiliary stadium O Square that have the collective capacity to seat 1,000 people.
It was invested in by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Seoul Metropolitan Government and opened in 2016, replacing Yongsan e-Stadium that is now closed.
There are also exhibition spaces, including the Hall of Fame that provides a glimpse into the history of esports.
After the opening of LOL Park, it no longer holds LCK matches, but stages other games such as "Overwatch" and "Heartstone."
Since last year, they have been hosting the PUBG league, after signing a partnership with PUBG Corp., the publisher of the hit title "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds."
Ticket prices vary depending on the type of game but range from $1 to $20.
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| Esports fans fill Nexon Arena in Seoul to watch an esports match. / Courtesy of Nexon |
Nexon Arena
Located in the Gangnam area of southern Seoul, Nexon Arena opened in 2013, built by game developer Nexon.
The duplex structure can accommodate about 450 people, and currently there are leagues for Nexon games such as "Cart Rider," "Terra" and "FIFA Online."
Many of the matches are broadcast on SPOTV, a dedicated esports television channel. Ticket prices vary depending on the type of game.
KT 10 GiGA Arena
Popular streaming service provider Afreeca TV, in partnership with telecom giant KT, opened this internet cafe.
Although official game matches are not held here, visitors can have a chance to experience playing like a pro.
The open studio provides everything from the fastest internet speeds called the "KT 10 GiGA Room" to a broadcast room where anyone can livestream their matches.
