FIFA to hold Fan Festival in Seoul during World Cup

Seoul has been chosen to host a FIFA Fan Festival during the upcoming 2022 Qatar World Cup, with live match broadcasts, music performances from international DJs and local artists and appearances from FIFA legends.

According to FIFA on Monday, six cities around the world will host a FIFA Fan Festival running parallel with the main event at Al Bidda Park in Doha, Qatar. As well as Seoul, festivals will also be held in London, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Dubai.

All six festivals are sponsored by a AB InBev beer brand, with Budweiser lending its name to the BudX FIFA Fan Festival Seoul. The event will be held at S Factory in Seongdong District, Eastern Seoul.

According to FIFA, all six Fan Festivals will offer live match broadcasts from the World Cup, entertainment-driven activities, including performances by international DJs, local musicians and artists, and appearances from FIFA Legends.

Fan Festivals will be open on selected dates and times throughout the World Cup starting on Nov. 20, although FIFA did not specify when the Seoul venue will be open. With Korea playing games on Nov. 24, Nov. 28 and Dec. 2, it is likely that the Seoul festival will be structured around these fixtures.

“The FIFA Fan Festival was designed to bring fans together beyond the stadiums to experience the best of football, music, culture and lifestyle,” said FIFA Chief Business Officer Romy Gai. “We’re honored to collaborate with Budweiser, Corona and Brahma to take the FIFA Fan Festival concept that will live in Doha and reverberate it around these high-energy global events — taking the buzzing atmosphere of the FIFA World Cup to the doorsteps of fans worldwide.”

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]