Groundhopper's guide to..... Gwangyang Stadium

Jeonnam Dragons are four-time FA Cup winners who spent the vast majority of their existence in the top flight of Korean football. But in 2018, they went down for the first time and haven't come back up since. Despite that, they won the Cup in 2021, and this season look in good shape to challenge for automatic promotion. This is our guide to their stadium.

Gwangyang Football Stadium opened in 1993, a couple of years after Pohang's Steel Yard. It has a capacity of 13,000, with a small roof covering one stand and a large TV behind the away fans. In many ways, it resembles a typical civic stadium with undulating stands, multi-colored seats, and basic amenities - but, it is rectangular shaped. Praise the Lord!

Nicknamed the Dragon Dungeon, Gwangyang is too small to host Korean national games but looks perfect for the KWNT games. Instead, they play those games in ghost towns like Yongin Mireu. The Dragons joined the K League in 1995 and enjoyed a 24-year uninterrupted stay before falling through the trap door. Twice they welcomed AFC Champions League football to their humble ground but were robbed of the honor in 2021 because of the pandemic.

Humble might not be the right word. When I told a member of the media department how beautiful Gwangyang is, he simply said; "we are very proud of our stadium."

Location:

Gwangyang is in Jeolla-namdo province in the south-weat of Korea. The city (and therefore) the football club are among the most southerly on mainland Korea. Gwangyang has a population of just 150,000 making it one of the smallest in Korea with a professional football club. The city is famous for the POSCO Steel Works, the largest facility of its kind in the world. The fixture with Pohang Steelers is, inevitably, referred to as the POSCO Derby.

Gwangyang Football Stadium is located in the industrial heart of the town, as opposed to the city centre. It resembles Pohang in many ways. Freight trains rumble slowly by as fans make their way to the stadium. Personally, this is my favorite backdrop to any stadium in the country. It is why the Pohang Steel Yard is so special. Gwangyang Station is 17km west of the stadium.

[Read: K League is a beautiful community]

Transport Options:

- train: KTX trains from Seoul and other major cities typically involve a transfer at Suncheon Station. The S-Train or Mugungwha will then take another eight minutes to Gwangyang. A taxi from the station costs 25,000₩.

- bus: Bus number 2 departs the station and heads east towards Gwangyang. A transfer is required to complete the journey. Check never maps for the best way to reach Gwangyag Station. It isn't straightforward.

- parking: There's a limited number of parking spaces at the stadium but several malls and schools are close by.

- bike: Like any city in the country, there are nationwide bike and scooter options. The roads leading to Gwangyang are busy so exercise caution.

Tickets:

- Online: Jeonnam Dragons tickets are sold on Interpark. You have to click on an individual game (once the tickets are open) before you can see a stadium map on this unfriendly app. Given most games don't come close to selling out, just use the ticket booth at the stadium. The only discounts available to online customers depend on what card you use. 

- Ticket booth: Ticket booths are located in every corner of the stadium with a season schedule, stadium map, and pricing guide included. If you're going to see Jeonnam, buy at the gate.

*All information is correct at the time of publication. The prices may change in the future*

[READ: Groundhopper's Guide to Cheonan Stadium]

Where to sit:

Gwangyang is a football-specific stadium (no running track, hurray!!!) and the seats are close to the action. As is customary across the country, stands aren't named in some legend's honor. Instead, they are directional. In Gwangyang, the West Stand is the main stand. This is where the tunnel is located, both dugouts, media section, table seats, Gold seats, and the VIP area. Tickets here start at 18,000₩.

The away fans occupy three blocks behind the goals in the South Stand. This is, like most of the ground, uncovered but for a nighttime game, 8,000₩ is great value. Compared to, say, Busan IPark, Seongnam, Anyang, or Bucheon, away fans are well looked after in Gwangyang.

The East and North Stands are where most of the match-day-going supporters sit. Seats here also cost 8,000₩ and they are all general admission (there is no seat number). First come, first serve for the best views on the south-west coast.

The East stand is the one with JDFC printed on the seats. It does look cool.

Food:

It is too late now, but I wish I bought an ice cream.

Approaching from the city centre, the floodlights come into view once you pass the small apartment buildings that presumably house the POSCO plant workers. Keep heading towards the lights and you come to the North-West corner of the ground. This is where you'll find most of the food trucks and merchandise. Ice cream, roasted chicken, chicken skewers, boneless chicken, and hot dogs are available.

Drink:

The quintessential K League 2 store.

There are plenty of stores, inside and outside, to buy water, coffee, beer and snacks.

Merchandise:

A small club shop is located behind the South Stand. The merchandise is overpriced and in limited supply, but I believe a visit to the shop is a vital part of the pre-match experience. Even though I buy nothing.

Postgame:

There isn't a lot to see in Gwangyang itself unless you're interested in freight trains and smoke clouding the lovely summer skyline. If you're coming to Jeonnam for the weekend, base yourself in Suncheon or Yeosu. There's plenty to see and do in both cities, including the World Expo and some incredible natural geography.

[Read: Jeonnam hang on for a point against Seoul E-Land]