KT is based in Gwangju, yet 300 fans gathered in a Suwon alleyway! On the day of an away game, the Songjuk-dong stadium came alive... united as one with the Wiz family.

*This content was translated by AI.

Professional baseball team KT Wiz showcased a unique hometown engagement event that connected baseball with local alleyway commerce on the day of an away game.

On the 4th, KT held the 'Wiz Family in Songjuk-dong Stadium' event in the alleyways of Songjuk-dong, Jang-gu, Suwon City.

This event marked the first collaboration between the Songjuk-dong Merchants Association and KT. Aimed at revitalizing the economy of the alleyway commerce area near the stadium, it sought to draw baseball fans into local businesses even on days without home games. By combining baseball cheering, food culture, and stadium traditions, the away game was transformed into a local festival.

The event began at 4:50 p.m. with a community cleanup (plogging) activity involving both the merchants association and KT's cheering squad. Subsequently, a stadium space accommodating approximately 300 people was set up in the alleyway area. Attendees watched the KT-KIA game held in Gwangju together on a large LED screen, while also participating in cheering battles and recreational activities with the cheering squad.

The event went beyond simply gathering people to watch a game in one space. A smart ordering (OR) system was introduced to ensure visitors' spending would spread throughout the alleyways.

A 'Songjuk United Delicious Menu Board' featuring menus from 22 participating stores was provided via QR code, and ordered food was delivered directly to the stadium through an integrated delivery system. In addition to the central alleyway area, a stamp tour was operated to encourage visitors to explore outer and back-street stores, with prizes offered to participants.

This was not the first time KT has partnered with its hometown region. Since 2021, KT has operated a mutual growth support program called 'Wiz Family' targeting small and medium-sized businesses in Suwon, connecting baseball with local commerce.

Recently, the scope has been further expanded. In collaboration with Suwon City, efforts were made to utilize baseball as a tourism content. To mark the '2026-2027 Visit Suwon Year,' a program was launched allowing international tourists to experience Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress and traditional culture before enjoying professional baseball cheering culture at KT Wiz Park. In July, tourists of various nationalities from Europe, Asia, Africa, and other regions visited the actual Wiz Park and participated in cheering events.

The game watched by fans at Songjuk-dong that day unfortunately did not end with a KT victory. At the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season away game held at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, KT lost to KIA 3-4 after a tense 10-inning battle, ending their three-game winning streak. On the same day, second-place Samsung Lions also suffered a defeat but did not lose the top spot; however, they allowed third-place LG Twins to close the gap to four games.

Even amidst the loss, there was a heartening moment. KT's starting pitcher Bae Je-seong delivered an outstanding performance with 6 innings pitched, allowing 5 hits and 2 walks while recording 5 strikeouts without surrendering any earned runs. Leading with a four-seam fastball clocked at up to 151 km/h, he threw 97 pitches, achieving his first quality start (starting pitcher pitching 6+ innings with 3 or fewer earned runs) since September 21, 2023, against the Suwon Lotte Giants — a span of 1,079 days.

Although news of victory did not reach from Gwangju, on this day without home games, Wiz families in Suwon came together as one with KT. By expanding the 'Wiz Family' concept beyond the stadium to include alleyway commerce areas, KT plans to further strengthen collaborations with local businesses in the future.

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*This content was translated by AI.