World Stadiums: Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea
Suwon World Cup Stadium (수원월드컵경기장) in Suwon, South Korea is the home stadium of Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the K-League. The 44,031 capacity soccer-specific stadium, nicknamed the "Big Bird", was built for the 2002 World Cup. The ground is a design masterpiece with one stand covered with an amazing bird-wing roof. Colorful seats done as a mural in traditional style are another pleasing feature.
History
The stadium first opened in May 2001 for the Confederations Cup of that year at a total cost of US$190 million, after building work began in June 1997.
Local citizens contributed cash to a "one-man one-seat" campaign and their names were inscribed on 20,000 of the multi-colored seats, which add a picturesque mural effect to this impressive venue.
The soccer-specific stadium is a design masterpiece with one stand covered with an amazing bird-wing roof. Its design mimics a bird in flight, hence the stadium's nickname the 'Big Bird' stadium.
The stadium can be evacuated in 6 seconds and the surrounding parkland will have public toilets in the shape of huge footballs. The turf was grown with seeds from the USA.
Suwon World Cup Stadium has a museum on the history of Korean football with a section on the 2002 World Cup.
World Cup 2002
The stadium staged four matches during the tournament, 3 group games: USA v Portugal; Senegal v Uruguay; Costa Rica v Brazil and a Round of 16 fixture Spain v Republic of Ireland.
The Club: Suwon Samsung Bluewings
After relegation in 2023, Bluewings are now in K League 2, the second tier of South Korean soccer. The team in blue joined the K League in 1996 and are one of its more successful sides winning the title on four occasions (1998, 1999, 2004, 2008) and have also been runners up four times (1996, 2006, 2014, 2015). In addition, the Bluewings have won the Korean FA cup five times (2002, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2019), have been runners up three times (1996, 2006, 2011) and also lifted the Asian Club Championship and Asian Super Cup twice each.
The team is known for its fanatical support from its fan group Frente Tricolor (previously Grand Bleu).
Some notable players to have represented the club include goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae (part of South Korea's squad at four World Cups - 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010), Russian midfielder Denis Laktionov and strikers Park Kun-ha and Yeom Ki-hun.
Capacity
The stadium's capacity is 44,031.
Uses
As well as soccer matches, the stadium has been used for music concerts and other events.
Access - Getting To Suwon Stadium
Suwon is a long one hour subway ride on Line 1 of the Seoul subway and is also linked to the capital by train. The quickest is the KTX express train which takes just over 30 minutes from Seoul Station.
There are also buses to Suwon from Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Jeonju, Mokpo and Sokcho.
From Suwon Station take any of buses 86, 100, 720 (and 720-1 and 702-2) which all run past the stadium. Alternatively change to the Suin–Bundang Line at Suwon Station and ride two stops to Suwon City Hall and then take a bus.
Address: 456, Uman-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Nearby Hotels
The city of Suwon is close enough to the capital Seoul to see on a day-trip but if you do decide to stay longer the city has a good range of accommodation on offer.
Some recommendations include the four-star Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Suwon with three restaurants, a bar and located close to Suwon Stadium.
The three-star Ibis Ambassador Suwon is a 2-minute walk from Suwon City Hall Subway Station on the Bundang Line.
Korea Tourist Hotel is another three-star property offering good facilities close to Suwon City Hall.
See a complete listing of hotels in Suwon.
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