The 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress, set to run Oct. 19–23 in Gangneung, is being billed as the Olympics of transportation science — a global gathering that puts people at its center.
World-class figure skaters Cha Jun-hwan and Lee Hae-in will serve as guides for a distinctive travel experience in Gangneung, the city that hosted every ice sport at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Gangneung city and the organizing committee have conducted sector-by-sector inspections and drawn up response plans to ensure a safe and smooth event. With 20 days to go before the opening, organizers have launched a final check of all infrastructure, facilities and event content as they shift into full guest-readiness mode. A dedicated ITS science travel route is also being developed to enrich the program.
The city and the organizing committee are on track with preparations at Gangneung Olympic Park — the main venue — including the exhibition hall, academic conference rooms and technology demonstration areas. Safety management plans and traffic and transportation measures have been put in place to minimize inconvenience for both visitors and residents.
To help participants and visitors get around during the congress, six dedicated shuttle bus routes will connect major hotels, the city center and tourist attractions, with access restricted to registered attendees. City bus lines 202 and 202-1, which pass through Gangneung Olympic Park, will run twice as frequently — every 15 minutes instead of the usual 30 — to improve access to the venue. A taxi-hailing service for foreign visitors, K-MaaS, will also be available through the official ITS World Congress app throughout the event.
A special ice show will be held at Gangneung Hockey Centre at 7 p.m. on Oct. 22. South Korea's top figure skating stars, including Cha Jun-hwan and Lee Hae-in, will take the ice for a spectacular gala show featuring large-scale ensemble performances.
Tickets went on sale Wednesday on a first-come, first-served basis through Naver's reservation platform, accessible via the congress website. Offline invitation tickets are scheduled for distribution from Oct. 12.
Both online and offline tickets and invitations must be exchanged for physical admission passes at on-site booths before entry. Registered congress participants may skip the ticketing process entirely and enter through a dedicated entrance by presenting their congress registration badge.
Alongside the official congress program, a range of side events blending technology, culture and food will take place at the Olympic Park outdoor plaza and surrounding areas throughout the congress. To mark the opening on Oct. 19, more than 3,000 drones will light up the Gangneung sky at 8 p.m. in front of the Gangneung Convention Center, delivering a sweeping aerial performance that visualizes cutting-edge mobility technology and the beauty of the city.
The Olympic Park outdoor plaza will host a science and mobility experience zone, cultural and arts activities, a local producers' market and busking performances throughout the congress. Hands-on technology booths — covering self-driving cars, smart city simulations, flight simulators, drones and VR trucks — will let visitors of all ages experience ITS firsthand. A live drone delivery demonstration, in which products are delivered on the spot, will also be staged as a special event.
"All preparations for the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress are proceeding smoothly," said Lim Sin-hyeok, head of the ITS promotion division. "We will do our utmost until the very end so that both residents and visitors can enjoy cutting-edge technology and Gangneung's culture all in one place."
Pre-registration for the congress is open through the official website until Oct. 9. Undergraduate students and exhibition visitors may register free of charge. Those who miss the pre-registration deadline can register on-site at the congress. Pre-registered attendees will receive a QR code by mobile phone and email three days before the event to allow quick and easy entry.
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