Jang Seob Yoon
Research expert covering South Korea
Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) league in South Korea - statistics & facts
Professional baseball is hitting for the fences in South Korea. Its games are the most popular sporting event in South Korea, with millions of fans visiting stadiums across the country on a regular basis. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) league announced a blockbuster broadcasting deal for the upcoming years, which has helped spark interest by offering new avenues of fan engagement via online videos. This resulted in record-breaking cumulative attendance for the 2024 season, with figures exceeding 10 million and setting a new benchmark for domestic professional sports.
The premier pro baseball league in South Korea
The KBO league pitched its inaugural season in 1982 which initially consisted of six teams. The league has expanded over the years and now features 10 teams competing for a post season berth with the aim to win the championship. The fact that companies, rather than regions, feature prominently in team names is closely tied to the league’s history. South Korean conglomerates, also known as chaebols, played a crucial role in establishing such organizations to begin with. Despite generating continuous losses, intangible aspects like brand marketing and cultural significance largely sustain corporate support for the majority of pro baseball teams in South Korea.Pro baseball spectators
Looking at the average spending per person across major sports, baseball fans spend more on food and beverage and less on transportation compared to fans of other sports. Although businesses have driven league development and even team relocations, the geographical distribution is quite balanced, allowing regional fan bases to form organically. Such accessibility has proven advantageous, with the match day experience being an influential factor in drawing people towards stadiums.Online video platforms can improve the picture
Professional baseball is a beloved sport by many South Koreans, providing fans with excitement and unforgettable moments and companies with an invaluable audience of potential customers. The KBO league’s prominence was highlighted by landmark broadcasting deals struck with TV channels and CJ EnM. In addition to increased financial income, the new contracts have allowed individuals to upload short-form video clips of matches. This change is anticipated to generate lively, user-centric activity and enrich the online presence of the KBO in South Korea.
