"As a community-owned club, isn't there a way to help the local economy?" Bucheon FC's unconventional idea... even considering Jeonju fans: "Spend 50,000 won and get a stay voucher"

*This content was translated by AI.

Professional soccer club Bucheon FC1995 has unveiled an unusual idea that considers not only home fans but also visiting fans who come to the stadium. By connecting the spending of away fans to the local economy in Bucheon, benefits are made available even in the home region of the opposing team.

Bucheon will hold the event "Play in Bucheon, Rest in Jeonju!" during its home match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on the 16th at Bucheon Stadium as part of the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 Round 23. This is an event for Jeonju fans traveling to Bucheon for the away game.

A club official told StarNews on the 12th about the background of planning this event: "Since we are a community-owned club, we kept thinking about what activities could help Bucheon City even a little," and added, "We started with the hope that it would contribute to revitalizing the local economy."

Typically, regional marketing by professional sports clubs is centered on home fans. This involves partnering with local restaurants and cafes to connect home fans' spending to the local business district.

Bucheon took this one step further. It focused on the fact that fans traveling from other regions to watch away games are also consumers in Bucheon who eat, drink coffee, and refuel there.

Especially since the opponent is Jeonju, benefits for Jeonju fans who spend in Bucheon were linked to "Jeonju."

The event is open to those who have booked tickets for the away section (S Zone) for the match against Jeonju. From the 13th until the day of the game on the 16th, fans must spend a total of at least 50,000 won at restaurants, cafes, lodging facilities, gas stations, and convenience stores within Bucheon City.

A club official explained, "It doesn't matter what industry; as long as you use any business within Bucheon City."

On the day of the game, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., fans can participate in a lucky draw for the first 400 people who verify their away section tickets and receipts at a dedicated booth set up near the away seating area.

The prizes were also designed with visiting team fans in mind. A total of 40 winners will receive stay vouchers for Gloucester Hotel Jeonju, which can be used in Jeonju rather than Bucheon. The structure allows Jeonju fans who visit Bucheon to watch the away game to spend there and then enjoy benefits back in their home region.

Bucheon also naturally connected its sponsors. A club official stated, "Our sponsor, Gloucester Hotel, has locations not only in Incheon but also in Jeonju," and added, "We decided to proceed with this event because it would benefit the sponsor as well, and if away fans spend a little more in Bucheon through the event, it would be good for everyone."

Even in setting the participation criteria, visiting fans were considered. Bucheon initially considered setting the threshold amount at 100,000 won but lowered it to 50,000 won so that more Jeonju fans could participate without burden.

A club official said, "This is the first time we have held such an event targeting away fans," and added, "Fortunately, after checking online communities, it seems Jeonju fans' reactions are quite positive."

Even those who do not win a stay voucher will not be sent home empty-handed. Bucheon has decided to provide ice water to participants who do not win the stay voucher in the lucky draw. This is a small consideration for fans traveling during the hot summer.

A club official said, "Bringing drinks into the stadium is now allowed, and the weather is extremely hot right now," and added, "We decided to prepare ice water so that even those who do not win in the draw can enjoy something refreshing."

Kim Seong-nam, Bucheon's president, stated, "We organized this event to practice coexistence with local small business owners," and added, "We aim to create a model where watching soccer leads to local tourism and consumption, and we will continue to carry out various marketing activities together with our sponsors in the future."

For detailed information regarding the event, please check Bucheon FC's official website and SNS channels.

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*This content was translated by AI.