hapcheon County Aims to become a Sports Mecca with Strategic initiatives
hapcheon County is actively pursuing recognition as a premier sports destination by hosting diverse athletic competitions and promoting its sports infrastructure nationwide. The county is strategically leveraging sports to enhance its appeal and stimulate regional growth.
Strategic Focus on Winter Training and National Tournaments
With a keen focus on attracting winter training camps, Hapcheon County hosted a accomplished university baseball league event and implemented various strategies to realize its vision of a vibrant, sports-centric future. A key element of their strategy involves the successful hosting of university baseball spring league, demonstrating a commitment to sporting events.
Community Engagement and Successful Event Management Spur growth
Local residents are actively participating in and supporting these initiatives.Their experience in successful sports event operations and accumulated expertise are crucial in ensuring the smooth execution of various competitions.
Aspiring Plans for 2025 and Beyond: Focus on Winter Training camps
Hapcheon County is notably focused on expanding its appeal as a prime winter training location by 2025. From late December 2024 to early February 2025, the county hosted approximately 78 teams across baseball, soccer, and track and field during a 40-day winter training period.
Ideal conditions and Thorough Support Systems
The county’s appeal as a training destination stems from its favorable climate, top-tier sports infrastructure, systematic stove league operations, and a dedicated support team comprising both public and private sector representatives. This comprehensive approach is attracting critically important attention.
Year-Round Sports Tourism destination
Beyond winter training, Hapcheon County continuously hosts national sporting events throughout the year.출력 오류: '츌'은 잘못된 UTF-8 시퀀스의 시작 바이트입니다.
Gapyeong County, South Korea, emerges as a Sports Tourism Hub
Gapyeong County is solidifying its position as a premier destination for sports tourism, successfully hosting major national events and driving regional economic activity.
hakcheon Chestnut Marathon Draws Record Participation
The 24th Hakcheon Chestnut Marathon, held in March, attracted a record-breaking 13,000 participants.The 10km course saw an extraordinary 88% increase in participation compared to the previous year, with over 1,300 international runners—a 57% increase—attending. The marathon has firmly established itself as a leading national race.

National University Taekwondo Tournament a Success
Gapyeong County also hosted the 20th 1st and 2nd Grade National University Taekwondo Federation Championship on April 30th. Organized and hosted by the Korean University Taekwondo Federation, the event saw participation from approximately 2,000 athletes representing 60 university teams nationwide. The tournament is scheduled to begin in August.
Boosting the Local Economy Through Sports
These events are expected to significantly boost the local economy. Gapyeong County plans to continue hosting national-scale sporting events in taekwondo,equestrian sports,and water sports to secure future growth through sports tourism.
Hapcheon Invests Heavily in Sports Infrastructure to Boost Economy
HAPCHEON, South Korea (AP) — Hapcheon County is making significant investments in sports infrastructure, aiming to solidify its position as a sports hub and stimulate the local economy. The county plans to continue attracting national-level sporting events by enhancing its facilities.
sports Tourism Booms: Hapcheon Exceeds Population in Visitor Numbers
In 2024, Hapcheon hosted 30 national sports competitions, including events in soccer, track and field, and tennis. These events drew approximately 50,000 visitors, exceeding the county’s population and underscoring the growing importance of sports tourism.
New multipurpose Gymnasium Set to open, Enhancing Athlete Experience
To accommodate this influx of athletes and visitors, the county is constructing a multipurpose gymnasium at a cost of 17 billion won. The facility will feature an indoor arena, a gym, and GX rooms, with completion targeted for this year. This new facility aims to provide state-of-the-art amenities for athletes and sports enthusiasts.
Infrastructure Upgrades Improve Connectivity and Accessibility
A pedestrian bridge connecting the gymnasium to the existing Hapcheon Public Stadium is also planned, with an investment of 2.3 billion won. This bridge will improve accessibility and connectivity between key sports venues. Furthermore, following the completion of sports centers in gaya-myeon and Yulgok-myeon, a new National Sports Center in Daeyang-myeon was completed in April at a cost of 5.6 billion won.
Future Progress: More Sports Facilities on the Horizon
Looking ahead, Hapcheon County plans to secure national funding to build a National Sports Center in Samga-myeon and install an auxiliary stadium at the Hapcheon Public Stadium. Additionally, renovations are slated for the aging grandstands at the Hapcheon Public Stadium, with 1.9 billion won allocated to enhance user convenience and safety.
Hapcheon Invests Millions to Enhance Sports Facilities and Attract Tourists
Hapcheon, South Korea, is significantly investing in its sports infrastructure to improve safety, cater to growing recreational interests, and attract sports tourism. Millions of dollars are being allocated to upgrade existing facilities and construct new ones, aiming to boost the local economy and enhance residents’ quality of life.
Park Golf Expansion Caters to Popular Demand
Responding to the burgeoning popularity of park golf, Hapcheon is expanding its park golf amenities. Following the establishment of eight park golf areas in Hapcheon-eup,Yaro-myeon,jeokjung-myeon,and Bongsan-myeon,the county has newly constructed an 18-hole park golf course in Samga-myeon with an investment of 300 million won. Further expansions include increasing the size of the courses in Chogye-myeon to 18 holes and Yongju-myeon to 36 holes, supported by a total budget of 1.2 billion won.
Upgrades to Key Sports Venues Enhance Usability
Hapcheon County is also focused on improving its established sports venues. The year-round grass soccer field in the Gunmin Sports Park and the Chogye Grand Park soccer field have been upgraded with artificial turf and new lighting systems at a cost of 1.3 billion won. These enhancements will allow residents and visitors to use the facilities regardless of the season or time of day, providing a better overall experience.
Sports Tourism Drives Local Economic Growth
Hapcheon actively seeks to host various sports tournaments, which bring athletes, families, and scouts to the region. These visitors contribute significantly to the local economy as they utilize accommodations, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Teams often stay for an average of 20 days,with groups sometimes numbering around 50 people,frequenting various establishments throughout the area,boosting the local economy.

Sports tourism drives Economic Boom in Hapcheon County
Hapcheon County, South Korea, is experiencing a significant economic boost thanks to a surge in sports tourism. Winter training camps and national competitions are attracting thousands of athletes and visitors, injecting millions of dollars into the local economy.
Winter Training Camps Generate Millions in Revenue
During the 2024 winter season, approximately 5,000 athletes and staff from 78 teams visited Hapcheon for winter training.This influx of people is estimated to have generated 3.1 billion won (approximately $2.3 million USD) in economic benefits for the region.
Spring Football Tournament Adds to Economic Vitality
The annual Spring National High School Football Tournament further contributed to Hapcheon’s economic growth, drawing around 3,000 individuals, including 2,000 athletes from 43 teams, along with their families. Their stay boosted local businesses and tourism.
Cherry Blossom Marathon Draws Crowds
The Hapcheon Cherry Blossom Marathon also played a vital role. The event attracted 10,000 visitors from outside the region, further promoting Hapcheon’s name nationwide and benefiting local businesses.
County Plans Further Investment in Sports Infrastructure
Hapcheon County is committed to bolstering its sports infrastructure and attracting even more events.according to Hapcheon County Mayor Kim Yoon-cheol, the county plans to host numerous national-level competitions throughout the year and complete ongoing sports infrastructure projects. The goal is to proactively attract national tournaments and training camps for diverse sports such as badminton and table tennis.
What types of accommodations and dining options are available for athletes and tourists visiting Hapcheon for sports events?
Hapcheon County: Your Sports Tourism Destination
Hapcheon county is transforming into a sports tourism powerhouse, investing heavily in infrastructure and attracting a diverse range of events. Discover how Hapcheon is boosting its economy and offering exciting opportunities for athletes and tourists alike.
Q&A: Your Guide to Hapcheon’s Sports Scene
- What makes Hapcheon a great destination for winter training?
- Hapcheon boasts a favorable climate,top-tier sports infrastructure,and a dedicated support system. This includes excellent facilities and a supportive local habitat perfect for baseball, soccer, track and field, and more.
- Which sports events are held in Hapcheon?
- Hapcheon hosts a wide variety of events, including baseball, soccer, track and field, tennis, marathons, and park golf tournaments. Future plans include events for badminton and table tennis.
- How is hapcheon improving its sports facilities?
- Hapcheon is actively upgrading existing venues (like the Gunmin Sports Park) with artificial turf and new lighting. New facilities like a multipurpose gymnasium and a National Sports Center are also under construction to enhance the athlete experience.
- How does sports tourism benefit Hapcheon’s economy?
- Sports tourism generates significant revenue through athlete and visitor spending on accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. Events like winter training camps and marathons bring thousands of people to the county, boosting local businesses.
- What is park golf and why is it popular in hapcheon?
- Park golf is a simplified version of golf played on shorter courses. It’s become incredibly popular in Hapcheon, leading to the expansion of park golf courses. Hapcheon is expanding park golf amenities which provides a great recreational opportunity for visitors and residents alike.
- What’s the deal with the “stove league” mentioned in the article?
- The “stove league” likely refers to the baseball off-season, a period when teams might be seeking winter training locations. Hapcheon is leveraging this period to attract teams.
- Is there anything special about the Hapcheon Cherry Blossom Marathon?
- Yes! The Hapcheon Cherry Blossom Marathon is a key event, drawing 10,000 visitors and showcasing the county’s beauty. Plus, the course is known for its scenic routes.Consider registering for the next run!
Ready to experience the excitement? Explore Hapcheon County and discover why it’s becoming a top sports tourism destination. Plan your visit today!