The 2029 National Sports Festival to Be Held in Hongseong, Chungnam

First National Sports Festival in 13 Years
30,000 Athletes to Gather Across Chungnam
Five Major National Events to Be Held Over Three Years

Chungnam Province has been officially selected as the host of the 110th National Sports Festival, with a large-scale, seven-day sports event set to take place across all 15 cities and counties in the province, centered in Hongseong, in 2029.

This will be the first time the event is held in a county-level area. The festival will be operated under an eco-friendly and carbon-neutral theme. Over the following three years, Chungnam will consecutively host five major national sports events, including the National Youth Sports Festival and the National Sports for All Festival, which are expected to generate an economic impact worth several hundred billion won.

On September 11, the province signed a "2029 110th National Sports Festival Hosting Agreement" with the Korea Sports Council and the Chungnam Sports Council at the provincial government situation room.

The signing ceremony was attended by Governor Kim Taeheum, Korea Sports Council President Yoo Seungmin, and Chungnam Sports Council President Kim Youngbeom, who discussed cooperation measures to ensure the successful hosting of the National Sports Festival.

Under the agreement, Chungnam will host the National Sports Festival in October 2029, the National Youth Sports Festival in 2030, and the National Sports for All Festival in 2031.

Additionally, the National Para Games and the National Student Para Games will also be held in the province, meaning Chungnam will host a total of five nationwide sports events over three years.

The National Sports Festival is expected to attract about 30,000 athletes from across the country. The province plans to thoroughly prepare for the event by renovating and upgrading sports facilities, expanding transportation and accommodation infrastructure, and strengthening safety management.

Chungnam also aims to showcase its identity by organizing unique opening and closing ceremonies, presenting a "festival of harmony" that blends sports and culture.

Governor Kim Taeheum stated, "This is the first time in history that the National Sports Festival will be held in a county area, and Chungnam will usher in a new paradigm for sports events. By operating an eco-friendly festival, we will enhance our status as a special province for a carbon-neutral economy and create a celebration where athletes and spectators from across the country can come together."

Meanwhile, the province is preparing to open the Chungnam Sports Center this year and is constructing the first international tennis stadium in the Chungcheong region, aiming for completion in 2027.

To further expand the foundation for community sports, the province also plans to establish more than 30 park golf courses in cities and counties, continuing to strengthen sustainable sports infrastructure even after the National Sports Festival.