'Dalbit Alliance shuttle buses' to run from Gwangju Songjeong Station
The South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City will provide transportation, cultural and tourism support during the 2026 KBO postseason playoff home games at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on Thursday and Friday, cheering on the Kia Tigers to victory.
The playoff series pits the Kia Tigers, who advanced through the wild-card round, against the regular-season runner-up Samsung Lions in a best-of-five series to determine who advances to the Korean Series. The Gwangju home games — Game 3 on Thursday and Game 4 on Friday — are both scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., though Game 4 will only be held depending on the series standing.
During the playoff home games, the city plans to arrange transport for out-of-town fans, stage cultural performances, promote tailored tourism and manage traffic around the stadium — all aimed at creating a comfortable viewing experience for visitors, enhancing the city's image and maximizing the economic boost from the event.
To ease travel for fans coming from other regions, the city will operate "Dalbit Alliance shuttle buses" during the home games. Ten 45-seat buses will depart from Gwangju-Kia Champions Field after each game ends, stopping at the Gwangju Central Bus Terminal before continuing one-way to KTX Gwangju Songjeong Station. The city will station boarding guides and safety personnel to manage passenger loading and vehicle departure.
On each game day, street performances under the "Sports Culture Masil" program will be held at Gwangju Songjeong Station and May 18th Democracy Square starting three hours before first pitch. Performers including Moodlist, Jackpot Crew, Big Boss Marching Band and Denny& will entertain fans with a variety of acts.
Gwangsan-gu will also hold a community cheering event for the Kia Tigers at the civic plaza in front of the district office, starting 30 minutes before game time, to add to the festive atmosphere.
Tourist information desks at major transit hubs — including Gwangju Songjeong Station and U-Square — as well as travel centers such as Yeohaengjaui Jip and Chungjangui Jip will provide visitors with recommendations for restaurants, traditional markets, key attractions and accommodation discounts. The city also plans to use the out-of-town fan shuttle buses and online channels to promote player-recommended eateries and nearby sights, encouraging spending at local businesses and repeat visits.
To manage congestion on roads near the stadium, enforcement of illegal parking and stopping will be suspended from 4 p.m. to midnight on each game day. The city will also coordinate with the Korean National Police Agency on traffic signal management and pedestrian safety around the venue.
"We will do our utmost to ensure that both local fans and visiting supporters can enjoy the games safely and comfortably," South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City Mayor Min Hyeong-bae said. "We hope everyone who comes to the stadium will also take the time to enjoy Gwangju's food and culture."
sij@heraldcorp.com
