World Cup Football - Match Venues - Gwangju Stadium
Courtesy of the Korean World Cup Organizing Committee
The architectural inspiration for the impressive football–specific 42,880 seat Gwangju World Cup Stadium is the traditional Korean folk game known as Kossaum Nori as well as the nearby Mt. Mudeung. Construction began in November 1998 and the stadium was dedicated in November 2001. Two huge shell-like roofs cover the main stands. The stadium was renamed the Guus Hiddink stadium in honor of Korea's Dutch coach after the Korean national team defeated Spain in the stadium during the 2002 World Cup.