'Lotte 0 wins 5 losses · Hanwha 2 wins 9 losses' Why do teams keep losing when their home games are sold out?

*This content was translated by AI.

Regardless of the sport, a common phrase heard during post-victory interviews is: "The support from home fans who filled the stadium was a great source of strength."

However, in the early part of the 2026 KBO League season, there are teams that keep losing whenever their home games are sold out: Lotte Giants and Hanwha Eagles.

Both clubs enjoy immense popularity in the KBO League, second to none. In terms of home game sell-out rates this season, Hanwha has maintained a perfect 11-for-11 (100%) record, while Lotte has sold out 5 of 7 games (71%).

Yet, in front of sold-out crowds, their performance is lamentable. Lotte has lost all 5 games, and Hanwha stands at 2 wins and 9 losses, with a winning percentage of just 0.182. Hanwha is currently on a 9-game losing streak in home sell-out games, dating back to their March 31 matchup against KT Wiz, following their opening two-game sweep against Kiwoom Heroes.

Consequently, their overall home game records are 1 win and 6 losses (winning percentage 0.167) for Lotte, and 2 wins and 9 losses for Hanwha (all games were sold out). The only other team with a home winning percentage below 50% is Kiwoom Heroes (2 wins, 4 losses).

In contrast, they become entirely different teams on the road. Hanwha boasts a 6 wins and 1 loss record (0.857), the highest winning percentage among all 10 clubs. After suffering a six-game losing streak at home against KIA and Samsung starting on the 10th, they bounced back with two consecutive wins in away games against Lotte and Busan last weekend (the game on the 17th was canceled due to rain). Coincidentally, both games were sold out. Lotte also posted a respectable 5 wins and 6 losses (0.455).

In fact, sold-out crowds do not necessarily correlate strongly with home team victories. Excluding Lotte and Hanwha, the combined home sell-out winning percentage of the other eight clubs is 20 wins and 18 losses (0.526), just slightly above 50%. SSG Landers and LG Twins, for instance, have enjoyed modest success with records like 2 wins and 6 wins 4 losses, respectively.

While the passionate support of home fans can indeed be a great source of strength, it can sometimes act as a burden. However, since they cannot turn away sold-out crowds, Hanwha and Lotte find themselves in a frustrating situation.

But there is no need for excessive concern. Last year, Hanwha set a new record for the most sold-out home games with 62 out of 73, achieving a home winning percentage of 0.620 (44 wins, 2 draws, 27 losses). Lotte also finished with 35 wins, 4 draws, and 34 losses (0.507), surpassing their overall season winning percentage of 0.478. Since teams generally view the enthusiastic support of home crowds as a source of energy rather than a burden, it may be wise to observe them a bit longer.

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*This content was translated by AI.