Seoul to break ground on massive exhibition and sports complex in Jamsil this year
Published: 11 Mar. 2026, 17:35
Updated: 11 Mar. 2026, 17:49
![A digitally generated image of Korea’s largest domed baseball stadium as part of the Jamsil sports and convention complex project in Songpa District, southern Seoul [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/11/f630409b-f15e-4ac4-a08b-00ea939e9226.jpg)
A digitally generated image of Korea’s largest domed baseball stadium as part of the Jamsil sports and convention complex project in Songpa District, southern Seoul [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]
A massive exhibition and convention complex about 2.5 times the size of Coex will be built in Jamsil in Songpa District, southern Seoul. The project will also include Korea’s largest domed baseball stadium, capable of seating 30,000 fans.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday that it has completed negotiations with Seoul Smart MICE Park, a tentatively-named consortium led by Hanwha’s E&C Division, which was selected as the preferred bidder for the Jamsil sports and convention complex project.
The project aims to develop a 35-hectare site around Jamsil Sports Complex into a mixed-use complex featuring a domed baseball stadium, exhibition and convention facilities, hotels and commercial and office space.
![A digitally generated image of the Jamsil sports and convention complex project in Songpa District, southern Seoul, set to begin construction this year [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/11/7e85aa80-e746-4ab1-94fc-42ea7494ff61.jpg)
A digitally generated image of the Jamsil sports and convention complex project in Songpa District, southern Seoul, set to begin construction this year [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]
![A digitally generated image of the Jamsil sports and convention complex in Songpa District, southern Seoul, set to begin construction this year [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/11/262b6a34-3f37-4144-9ffd-60c0c40c02e5.jpg)
A digitally generated image of the Jamsil sports and convention complex in Songpa District, southern Seoul, set to begin construction this year [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]
The total project cost is 3.3 trillion won ($2.25 billion). Construction is expected to begin later this year, with completion targeted for 2032. The Seoul city government said the project is expected to generate 595 trillion won in economic impact and create 2.42 million jobs.
The complex will include Seoul’s largest exhibition and convention facilities — 89,000 square meters (958,000 square feet) of exhibition space and 19,000 square meters of convention space — along with a five-star hotel.
The exhibition center will feature a multilevel structure. The upper exhibition hall will be built as a pillarless space, while the lower hall will be designed to accommodate large structures and installations.
To minimize traffic congestion, one of the five access roads connecting the center to the Olympic-daero highway will be dedicated exclusively to large buses and logistics vehicles. Likewise, a separate loading and waiting area for logistics vehicles will be built inside the exhibition complex.
![A digitally generated image of the interior of the Jamsil sports and convention complex in Songpa District, southern Seoul, set to begin construction this year [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/11/1335db39-2782-4088-8f3f-5669c74bf0df.jpg)
A digitally generated image of the interior of the Jamsil sports and convention complex in Songpa District, southern Seoul, set to begin construction this year [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]
The project will also include a 30,000-seat domed baseball stadium capable of hosting international games, the largest of its kind in Korea. A four-star hotel with rooms offering direct views of baseball games and a cafe overlooking the stadium will also be built.
During the professional baseball season, the dome will serve as the home stadium for the LG Twins and Doosan Bears. In the off-season, it will be used as a multipurpose cultural venue for concerts and other events.
![A digitally generated image of the basketball stadium in the Jamsil sports and convention complex project in Songpa District, southern Seoul [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/11/2d677e81-6491-44ae-a3b8-fe1123af921b.jpg)
A digitally generated image of the basketball stadium in the Jamsil sports and convention complex project in Songpa District, southern Seoul [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]
While construction of the stadium is underway from 2027 to 2031, home games for the LG Twins and Doosan Bears will continue to be held at Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium.
An 11,000-seat sports complex for basketball will also be part of the project, large enough to host international competitions. It will serve as the home arena for Seoul-based professional basketball teams SK Knights and Samsung Thunders. When games are not scheduled, the venue will host concerts and esports events, and visitors will be able to experience a skywalk attraction.
The development will also include hotel and commercial facilities. Accommodations totaling 841 rooms will be built, including a 288-room five-star hotel linked to the exhibition and convention center, a 306-room four-star business hotel connected to the domed stadium and a 247-room four-star serviced apartment hotel.
![A digitally generated image of the Jamsil convention center project in Songpa District, southern Seoul, set to begin construction this year [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/11/eda565e7-295c-47e0-9df0-707b6507e7f5.jpg)
A digitally generated image of the Jamsil convention center project in Songpa District, southern Seoul, set to begin construction this year [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]
The complex will also include a vertiport for urban air mobility (UAM), a future transportation system that allows vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to operate in urban areas. UAM could enable travel between Gimpo International Airport in Gangseo District, western Seoul, and Jamsil in about 15 minutes.
Unlike many other public-private partnership projects, the Jamsil development will be funded entirely by private investment without government financial support, with part of the profits to be shared with the city.
The Seoul government said the city plans to use the shared profits to establish a fund that will be reinvested in projects across Seoul to promote balanced development.
“After more than 20 years of discussions, revisions, pauses and renewed attempts, construction will finally begin this year,” Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said. “Jamsil will become a new stage that symbolizes Seoul’s future and determines the city’s global competitiveness.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY MOON HEE-CHUL [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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