Growing crowds a positive sign in K League

By John Duerden

The 2023 K League season is two months old and there is some cause for optimism for a number of reasons. The most important is that there are some healthy attendances around Korea.

Last weekend, over 30,000 fans watched FC Seoul defeat Suwon Bluewings 3-1 in the “Super Match,” traditionally the biggest fixture in the country and one that has usually attracted big crowds. It is more encouraging that other clubs are seeing more fans coming through the gates. Ten thousand watched Jeju United lose 2-0 at home to Jeonbuk Motors as the visitor, who has won seven titles in the last decade, showed signs of returning to form after a slow start to the season.

If that was a healthy crowd then there were almost 17,000 at the home of leader Ulsan Horang-i who was held to a 2-2 draw by Pohang Steelers in the East Coast Derby. Ulsan only salvaged a point due to a late equalizer. As well as that positive attendance, it was also encouraging that Ulsan, champion last season, is dropping points. It was a little concerning for the competitiveness of the season that the Tigers won their first six games of the season and it was looking like there was not going to be much of a title race given the struggles of Jeonbuk.

That is not the case now. Ulsan has dropped five points in the last two games and is now just three points clear at the top after eight games. There is obviously a long way to go, but it will be welcome if this season is not another battle between Ulsan and Jeonbuk with every other team miles off the pace. Pohang is level on points within Seoul and after four wins and four ties, is the only unbeaten team in the league.

Daejeon has slipped into fourth after a 1-0 loss at Daegu, watched by 10,000 fans, another sign that there is growing interest in domestic soccer. Incheon United has had a slow start to the season after the successful campaign last time around, and over 8,000 watched its 2-2 tie with Suwon FC.

These are still early days, but all will be keeping fingers crossed that fans continue to come. After years of declining attendances, though figures were sometimes unreliable, there was a slight upturn before the onset of the global pandemic. It could be that there is a thirst for live soccer among the general public after times in the recent past when all stadiums were empty. If this trend continues, then all will be delighted though there will be no complacency. All know that there have been some false dawns in the past when seasons have kicked off to big crowds before dropping quickly.

It is a case of so far, so good. There has been some decent soccer played in front of some encouraging attendances. There is still a long way to go, but the early signs are looking good.