Sokcho City Attracts Winter Soccer League and Training Camps, Strengthening Its Status as a Sports City

Eighteen Teams and Over 250 Players Compete in the 2026 Seorakbae Soccer League
Matches Held at Five Venues Until January 20
Winter Training Camps and National Tournament Linked
Boosting Lodging, Dining, and Tourism During the Off-Season

On January 14, Sokcho City in Gangwon Province held the opening ceremony for the "2026 Sokcho Seorakbae National Elementary Winter Soccer League" at Seorak Soccer Stadium, officially launching its sports marketing initiatives based on the operation of the tournament in conjunction with winter training camps.

Sokcho U12 soccer club players shouting "Fighting" before the game. Provided by Sokcho City

This tournament is a nationwide elementary school soccer competition hosted and organized by the Sokcho City Sports Council and the Sokcho City Football Association. A total of 18 elementary teams from across the country, comprising about 250 players, will compete at five venues, including Seorak Soccer Stadium, until January 20.

A distinctive feature of this tournament is that it is being held in connection with the operation of winter training camps (stove league).

From January to February, demand for training camps is at its peak, and Sokcho is expected to welcome teams from a variety of sports, including soccer, baseball, track and field, and volleyball. During this period, 49 teams with about 1,500 athletes have already confirmed their training camps in Sokcho. The city plans to further strengthen its systematic management, anticipating that the number of visiting training teams will continue to grow.

Every winter, Sokcho maintains steady popularity as a training destination thanks to the mild climate of the East Coast, as well as its diverse infrastructure, which includes sports facilities, accommodations, and a range of tourism, leisure, and culinary options.

Seorakbae National Elementary School Winter Soccer League match scene. Provided by Sokcho City

Attracting winter training camps and hosting national tournaments also provides a significant boost to the local economy during the tourism off-season. In addition to the athletes, parents and staff visit the city, bringing new vitality to various sectors such as lodging and food services.

Lee Byeongseon, Mayor of Sokcho, stated, "Attracting this winter soccer league and training camps will further highlight Sokcho's appeal as a tourist city and serve as an important opportunity to advance into the sports sector." He added, "We will continue to expand our sports infrastructure and attract national and provincial-level tournaments, building a city where tourism and sports coexist and grow together."