Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan to Be Rebuilt After 40 Years... Transformed into a 'Smart Stadium' by 2031

Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan will be transformed into a next-generation sports facility for the first time in 40 years.

On July 3, Busan Metropolitan Government (Mayor Park Hyungjoon) announced that the "Sajik Baseball Stadium Reconstruction Project" has passed the central investment review by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, making it possible to move forward in earnest.

According to the Local Finance Act, any new local project with a total budget of over 50 billion won must pass the central investment review. Passing this review means that the necessity and feasibility of Sajik Baseball Stadium's reconstruction have been officially recognized by the government. As a symbol of baseball in Busan, Sajik Baseball Stadium is now set to embark on a new chapter.

Opened in 1985, Sajik Baseball Stadium has long faced calls for reconstruction due to aging facilities and safety concerns. The city plans not only to replace the facility but also to transform it into a "smart stadium" by incorporating advanced technology and eco-friendly features.

The new stadium is scheduled to begin its design competition in 2026, break ground in 2028, complete construction by 2030, and open in 2031. During construction, Asiad Main Stadium will be remodeled as a temporary venue to serve as an alternative space.

The reconstructed stadium will feature information and communication technology-based convenience services such as real-time game data, route guidance and seat information via a mobile app, and AR-based fan experience zones. The exterior spaces will also utilize eco-friendly lighting and media devices to provide night light shows, player introductions, and highlight screenings, offering content that citizens can enjoy even on non-game days.

The city will establish a dedicated project team and an expert advisory group (including Busan Metropolitan Government, KBO, Lotte Giants, and experts in architecture and sports), and will also seek to secure national funding through public projects from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Park Hyungjoon, Mayor of Busan, stated, "The new Sajik Baseball Stadium will be a complex space where sports, culture, and industry come together, and it will become a future asset for Busan. Based on communication with citizens, we will continue to make Busan a city where people want to live again?a true sports paradise."