"No other team could survive" - Why Suwon Bluewings' attendance is rising

Suwon Bluewings will be competing in K League 2 again this year after the monumental disappointment of a playoff defeat to Jeju SK in December. Despite consecutive seasons of failure, supporter numbers are on the rise. Why is this, and can it be maintained?

Suwon Bluewings’ season ended in disappointment for the third year on the trot, despite big expectations and heavy investment in the playing squad last winter. The team started slowly, failed to adequately make up the gap, and when faced with superior opposition in Jeju SK from K League 1, they failed to score across 180 minutes in the playoffs, solidifying their place in K League 2 for another year.

This followed a gaudy sixth-place finish in 2024, when the club changed managers halfway through the season. Faced with a first-ever relegation, poor decisions were made in every department, not least the appointment of legendary former player—but coaching novice—Yeom Ki-hun to one of the most high-profile jobs in Korean football.

The match day experience in Suwon is one of the best in Korea.

And, of course, the previous year—2023—ended with that bitter relegation. Several managerial changes throughout the year failed to overturn the team’s fortunes, and they went down without a fight, drawing 0–0 on the final day with Gangwon FC. As we’ve discussed here before, there are countless signs now that Suwon Samsung Bluewings are drifting towards obscurity. You could possibly forgive one season in the second tier (not every fan will). Two? The club runs out of excuses. But three?

Yet attendances have risen season on season since 2019 (excluding the COVID-19 years), and Suwon have just posted their highest average total in a decade. The figure of 12,048 is the fourth highest in the entire country, but still well short of their heyday in the early 2010s, when I attended my first match at Big Bird. During the 2010 season, Suwon Bluewings were attracting 26,163 per game.

[READ: 2025 Season Review: Suwon Samsung Bluewings]

Across the country—not just in Suwon—those numbers dropped dramatically. By 2018, the club saw a 75% fall-off in fans coming through the gates. Below are Suwon's averages (excluding the COVID-19 affected seasons).

2025 – 12,048
2024 – 10,362
2023 – 11,799
2019 – 8,843
2018 – 6,709
2017 – 8,786
2016 – 10,643
2015 – 13,195
2014 – 19,608
2013 – 17,689
2012 – 20,265
2011 – 23,534
2010 – 26,163

There are several reasons for the dramatic slump after 2014 that we don't need to delve deeply into right now. A major match-fixing scandal in 2011 shock K League to the core, turning fans away. Then there was the decline in the famed corporate-funded glory days when K League could attract big players and pay competitive wages. This point is married to the perceived stagnation in the quality of matches, and fans were not entertained anymore. Slowly but surely, they went elsewhere.

Will these fans return in spring?

Back to modern times, if we look across the top two leagues, that figure of 12,048 stands up well. Daejeon Hana Citizen recorded their best-ever season in the top flight, finishing second, yet their average gate was just 10,620. Daejeon is a bigger city than Suwon, with no competing football club. Pohang Steelers are one of Korea’s most decorated clubs, yet attracted 10,248 fans to their beautiful Steel Yard.

[READ: What does Suwon Bluewings' winter reshuffle tell us about their prospects?]

The question I want to know is: why? Why have Suwon Bluewings gone from 6,709 in 2018 to 12,048 in 2025? This question applies to this club more than any other in Korea, because they were nearly relegated in 2022, actually relegated in 2023, finished sixth in the second tier in 2024, and, most recently, endured an underwhelming 2025.

Englishman Josh Bamford has been creating YouTube content about the Bluewings since falling in love with the club. There’s no doubt, in his mind, that Suwon is “the best atmosphere you can get at a football match in Korea. It’s not even close. It’s a toss-up between the Bluewings and Busan’s Lotte Giants (KBO) for the best sporting atmosphere in Korea.”

A fun matchday atmosphere would make sense. Suwon have starved their fans of success on the pitch for several years. “There’s really nothing quite like it,” says Amelia Burke. “Regardless of recent games, the atmosphere is always electric before and during the game. Once La Banda starts, everyone really gives their all and tries to support for the whole 90 minutes. And don’t get me started on the umbrellas.”

Kim Hayul believes Suwon “are a big club that won the most among K League teams in the past. These are the supporters who cheer the best among the other clubs. Maybe the fans love their team, support them more, and are more passionate.” According to Noah, Suwon is “home to the loudest and most loyal fanbase in this country. No other team could survive what we’ve gone through over the past few years.”

When my limousine bus pulled away from Gimpo Airport, bound for Suwon after the traumatic defeat in Jeju, the Bluewings were getting ready to board theirs. It was late at night—on a Sunday—and the other fans on the bus with me were tired and dispirited. The players, too, were crushed. After all, they feel the pain of defeat just as much as the supporters, and in some cases, more.

I wondered if this latest setback would see a decline in attendances next season at Big Bird. Amelia doesn’t agree. “I think two constant years of hope, disappointment, hope, disappointment has surely knocked some fans’ faith a little. I’ve seen people stepping back for a break. I’m sure some fans will carry that through to the next season, but I don’t think the drop will be huge or even that noticeable.”

For Amelia, the thought of stepping back has never crossed her mind. “We could be having the worst run of games, but I still want to be there to support the team and lend my voice to my fellow fans.”

The new man at the helm: Lee Jung-hyo.

Josh Bamford has an equally stern response when I ask if he’ll watch more from his sofa in 2026. “Zero chance. Winning is always nice. However, I seem to love this club more and more every time I see them play.” Noah will “never” give up. “I got used to losing after the 11-game drought in 2023. The winter break is absolutely awful and I can never get used to it. I will be there.”

If the Jeju loss was a bitter blow for fans to take, the board did win them over with the sensational appointment of Lee Jung-hyo as the club’s new manager. Lee isn’t a dinosaur floating between the leagues; he’s seen as the country’s most impressive manager. Hayul knows “many fans are looking forward to Lee Jung-hyo’s soccer, and to the new players’ performances.”

So, why are crowds on the rise when expectations don't meet reality on the pitch? Despite rises in pricing, football in Korea remains an inexpensive day out for a solo fan, a couple, or the whole family. Clubs - through supporter groups - have greatly improved the match day atmosphere, and the pre-match experience gets better each year. There's an increase in food trucks and some clubs even sell their own club branded beer.

[READ: "Players improve out of sight year-on-year!" - Is Lee Jung-hyo a football genius?]

There has been a revival in interest in some non-traditional football countries. People want to see flags, banners, tifos, art, catchy songs, and good chants - as well as good football. Suwon might not be able great football yet, but the club is leading the way in off-field transformations. Suddenly the stadium becomes the place to be, and no-one wants to miss out. It now falls on Lee Jung-hyo to add the final missing ingredient. Maybe then, Suwon will really be back!