"Reduce Banners, Increase Seats" Reviving 2002 Fever... Busan-Suwon Big Match Sees 'Gudeok Sellout' After 24 Years

*This content was translated by AI.

The intense passion of Busan football is expected to return after 24 years.

Busan IPark and Suwon Samsung will face off in the Hana Bank K League 2 2026 Round 19 match at Busan Gudeok Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on the 25th.

This is the biggest big match of K League 2. Both Busan and Suwon are engaged in a fierce battle for first place this season. The home team, Busan, sits atop the league with 11 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses (36 points), while Suwon trails closely with 10 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses (33 points).

However, neither team can afford to relax. The gap is not large for automatic promotion spots, as DaeguFC in third place (32 points), fourth-place SuwonFC, and fifth-place Seoul E-Land (both with 30 points) are also in contention. Both Busan and Suwon must secure this match to protect their automatic promotion rights.

Busan and Suwon are prestigious clubs representing K League. Both teams have reached the summit of K League four times. However, in recent years, both have suffered deep slumps and struggled to return to the K League 1 stage.

Busan has repeatedly been frustrated at the promotion threshold, swallowing its regrets. But this year is clearly different. From the early part of the season, they have consistently maintained strong performances and are leading the league.

As their performance improved, Busan fans naturally began to visit the stadium in greater numbers. With the match against Suwon, which boasts the hottest support atmosphere in K League, now confirmed, a sellout atmosphere formed early on.

A club official told StarNews on the 23rd that "all 8,876 seats normally operated for sale are already sold out."

In response to ticketing demand exceeding expectations, Busan plans to open an additional 1,293 seats. This also includes consideration for on-site purchases by 'digitally excluded groups,' such as the elderly who are not familiar with online booking.

The club official explained, "We ask for the supporters' understanding that we plan to reduce the number of banners and expand the seating."

If all additional seats are sold, the total number of seats available for this match will increase to 10,169. Unless major variables arise, a spectacular scene with '10,000 spectators' filling Gudeok Stadium after a long time could unfold.

The last sellout record at Gudeok Stadium dates back a full 24 years.

According to the Busan club, the last match to record a sellout at Gudeok Stadium was against Pohang Steelers on August 18, 2002. It was also Song Jong-kook's farewell match before he transferred from Busan to Feyenoord (Netherlands).

In the same year, on July 7, Busan recorded an attendance of 39,427 spectators against Ulsan Hyundai. This remains the all-time highest attendance record at Gudeok Stadium.

Gudeok Stadium underwent a major renovation in 2018. It can now accommodate approximately 12,000 spectators. The highest attendance since the renovation was 10,127 during the 2018 K League promotion and relegation playoffs.

Comparing the past and present is difficult due to differences in stadium size and seat management methods. However, it is clear that Busan football is receiving explosive attention once again after a long time.

In their first meeting of the season held last April, Busan lost to Suwon 2-3. However, Busan has continued an unbeaten run with 6 wins and 2 draws in 8 home games this season.

Through this match, Busan aims to further solidify its top position while seeking revenge against Suwon. It also hopes to achieve the box office record of a sellout at Gudeok Stadium for the first time in 24 years.

Cho Sung-hwan, Busan head coach, conveyed through the club: "With an important match approaching, we hope many fans will come to the stadium and give the players strong voices of support." He added, "We will do our best to prepare well and repay you with good performances and results."

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*This content was translated by AI.