Korea Tourism Organization to Pilot K League Train-and-Stay Travel Packages in May

Daejeon supporters cheer during the Coupang Play K League Super Cup 2026 match against Jeonbuk Hyundai at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, on the 21st. [Photo=Yonhap] — Daejeon supporters cheer during the 'Coupang Play K League Super Cup 2026' match between Jeonbuk Hyundai and Daejeon Hana Citizen at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju on the 21st. [Photo=Yonhap]

The Korea Tourism Organization said Tuesday it will pilot a stay-style travel product tied to professional soccer matches, called 'K League Trip Day,' in May with Korail Tourism Development and the Korea Professional Football League.

The program is designed to encourage fans to travel by train as high fuel prices raise the cost of driving, and to turn large-scale matchday travel into longer stays that support local businesses.

A same-day package aimed at away fans will be offered around Daejeon Hana Citizen home matches. For the May 5 match against Incheon United and the May 16 match against FC Seoul, trains will run from Yongsan Station to Seodaejeon Station. Two ITX cars will be set aside for away supporters, with cheering backdrops and team-character souvenirs to create a road-game atmosphere. The itinerary also includes visits to local shopping areas, including a bakery tour, to increase time spent in the region and local spending. Each trip will take 120 people on a first-come, first-served basis, for a total of 240. With discounts of up to 50,000 won per person, the price starts in the 80,000-won range.

A flexible overnight package will also be sold for home fans who live outside the area. It will cover May home matches for clubs with strong KTX connections: Jeonbuk Hyundai, Ulsan HD, Daejeon Hana Citizen and Gangwon FC. The package includes round-trip KTX travel from Seoul, lodging and premium match tickets. Train schedules are set to allow time for local sightseeing before and after the game, and the program includes sports-focused options such as a player high-five event and a stadium tour.

Customers can buy up to four tickets per person. Reservations and detailed schedules are available on the 'Korea Everywhere' website and the Korail Tourism Development website.

Kang Yu-young, a team leader in the organization's regional tourism development unit, said the program is a new attempt to link match attendance with longer stays and spending at local businesses. She said the agency will expand similar stay-style travel projects that combine tourism with activities such as running trips and community sports.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Kang Sang Heon