At 2 p.m. on the 1st, 28,683 spectators entered the official opening match of Hana Bank K League 1 2024 between Ulsan HD and Pohang Steelers, which kicked off at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium.
League game since the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is also the record for the largest number of spectators in the Ulsan home opening match since the 2018 paid spectator count.
It’s Ulsan’s first league game to win three consecutive games, and more fans flocked because it’s a rival match against Pohang, which is hot with “East Coast Derby.”
On the day of the March 1 Independence Movement, the temperature dropped sharply due to the cold snap, showing sub-zero weather.
Ulsan, where the official opening game of the K League 1 was held, was also cold enough to record below zero temperatures.
However, the cold snap did not prevent the opening of the K-League.
Cloud spectators gathered at Munsu Stadium a few hours before the game. The first and second floors of the stands were filled, and the third floor was also filled with fans in many seats.
The game was also fierce. Amid a tight battle, Ulsan won 1-0 against Pohang with Ataru’s winning goal in the 6th minute of the second half.
Ulsan coach Hong Myung-bo said, “Our Ulsan fans have become the most famous fans in the country,” adding, “We will try hard to play good soccer and always winning soccer for the fans.”
It was the best opening gift for Ulsan fans who filled their home stadium through the extreme cold.
On the same day, 24,758 people came to Jeonju World Cup Stadium where Jeonbuk Hyundai and Daejeon Hana Citizen faced off at 4:30 p.m.
This is Jeonbuk’s record for the largest number of spectators in its home opening game since the tally of paid spectators. The previous record was 26,637 in the first round against Daegu FC in the 2019 season.
Jeonbuk, which was taken to Daejeon by giving up the first goal, avoided defeat with Ahn Hyun-beom’s equalizer in the 40th minute of the second half thanks to the support of home fans.
53,441 spectators entered the two home opening games between Ulsan and Jeonbuk, considered the “two strongest teams” in the K League 1, realizing the popularity of professional soccer.
The crowd continued to be crowded in K League 2, the second division.
A total of 10,221 people entered the two games on the first day and cheered for the team that fought for promotion this season.
K league football 