Samsung Lions on Track to Shatter KBO Attendance Records
Samsung lions are on a remarkable trajectory to break the KBO League‘s all-time single-season spectator record. As of july 27th, the Lions’ home games this season are averaging an notable 22,806 attendees, with a seat occupancy rate of 95% in their 24,000-capacity Daegu Samsung Lions Park.This translates to 1,114,294 fans through the gates in 50 games. At this current pace, an additional 480,000 spectators are projected for the remaining 21 home games, perhaps pushing the season total beyond 1.6 million. This figure would comfortably surpass the previous record of 1,397,499 set by the LG Twins last season.
Last year, Samsung Lions themselves set a franchise record with 1,347,022 attendees, marking a notable milestone as one of the league’s founding teams (established in 1982) to reach the million-spectator mark in 42 years. Their recent home games, even amidst a sweltering heatwave, have seen remarkable turnouts. Three consecutive home games in the latter half of the season recorded sell-outs or near sell-outs: 24,000, 22,896, and 23,304 attendees. Notably, a midweek clash against the SSG Landers, which might have been expected to draw smaller crowds due to the weather and matchup, still saw over 20,000 fans fill the stadium.
While the Lions’ strong performance last season, finishing second in the regular season and reaching the postseason for the first time in three years, undoubtedly fueled fan enthusiasm, this year’s attendance surge appears to be driven by more than just on-field success. Despite currently sitting in eighth place in the first half of the season,a stark contrast to last year’s performance,fan mobilization remains exceptionally high. A team marketing official commented that Samsung’s attendance figures are “not affected by grades, weather, and matchups,” suggesting a “stable fan base” that transcends immediate team performance. Another official from the team’s marketing department attributed the high attendance to Daegu’s status as a city with fewer major landmarks and distribution facilities, making the baseball stadium a more prominent and exciting destination.
The Samsung Lions have started the second half of the season with a winning streak, and an improvement in their overall league standing could further bolster attendance. The team’s captain, Gu Ja-wook, expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support, stating, “Even in hot weather, fans come and cheer us up.” This dedicated fan base is clearly a driving force behind the Lions’ record-breaking season.
By Bae Joong-hyun, reporter bjh1025@edaily.co.kr
