Yangyang County Surpasses 14,000 Training Camp Participants... Rapid Rise as a 'Winter Sports Hub'

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Yangyang County in Gangwon Province is emerging as a premier destination for winter training camps, thanks to its proactive sports marketing and exceptional natural environment.

Training camp scene. Provided by Yangyang County

On January 5, Yangyang County announced that it had successfully attracted approximately 14,000 athletes across 10 sports disciplines from 17 regions during the 2025 winter season.

This represents a more than 3.5-fold increase in the number of training camp participants compared to the 4,000 athletes in 2024, demonstrating Yangyang County’s competitiveness as a winter training location in a remarkably short period.

In particular, teams that participated in national competitions held in Yangyang County in 2025 highly praised its pleasant natural environment, excellent sports facilities, and stable training conditions, leading them to choose Yangyang as their training site. The Yangyang County Sports Council’s successful hosting of the Stove League is also cited as a major factor behind the surge in training teams.

Including not only athletes but also coaches, officials, and parents, several thousand people stayed in the area for extended periods, resulting in increased use of local accommodations, restaurants, and convenience facilities, which is seen as having a tangible positive impact on the local economy.

Currently, the Gangbuk Little Baseball Team has been conducting physical conditioning and tactical training for a month from December 2025 to January 25, 2026. In addition, 96 youth soccer clubs from across the country, totaling about 2,600 participants, began their training camps at Yangyang Airport Stadium and Hajodae Stadium from January 3 to 20.

Furthermore, from January 8 to 18, 11 badminton teams with around 90 participants are holding their training camps at three sports facilities, including the Yangyang National Sports Center. From January 9 to 11, the Bundang SK youth basketball team is also scheduled to conduct its training camp in Yangyang.

Training camp scene. Provided by Yangyang County

Notably, the nationwide youth soccer club training camp has returned to Yangyang County for the second consecutive year, reaffirming Yangyang’s status as a reliable and stable training destination rather than a one-time venue.

The county plans to expand support by providing various incentives, including free access to sports facilities, and by strengthening administrative assistance such as supporting game operation committees, so that training teams can fully focus on their activities.

A Yangyang County official stated, "Attracting training camps not only revitalizes the local economy but also greatly contributes to the development of regional sports. We will continue to establish systematic and sustainable conditions for training camps so that Yangyang County can become a year-round hub for sports."