Enzo Maresca’s squad will be playing three games overall on our Asia Tour as we hone preparations for the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
After an opening clash in Hong Kong against Italian champions Inter Milan on Saturday, August 1 kick-off 12.30 (UK), City then travel to Seoul and round off the trip with two matches at the South Korean capital’s iconic World Cup Stadium.
First up we will take on a K League All-Stars XI on Wednesday, August 5, kick-off 13.00 (UK).
That’s then followed by the tour finale against Spanish side Atletico Madrid, again at the World Cup Stadium, on Sunday, August 9, kick-off also slated for 13.00 (UK).
CITY+ subscribers will be able to watch all three games live.
As the countdown continues ahead of the 2026 pre-season tour, here are some key facts to know about the venue.
Play it again
City are no strangers both to the World Cup Stadium – and Atletico Madrid.
We played against the Spanish side in the landmark Seoul venue back in July 2023 on the last stop of our 2023 Asia Tour.
The Blues took on Atletico Madrid in a game that was delayed by a torrential downpour shortly before the scheduled kick-off.
And it was the Spaniards who emerged victorious, claiming a narrow 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Memphis Depay and Yannick Carrasco, with Ruven Dias on target for City.
GLOBAL ORIGINS
The Stadium was built as one of the showpiece venues for the 2002 FIFA World Cup which was jointly staged in South Korea and Japan.
It is currently the second largest stadium in South Korea after the Seoul Olympic Stadium, and the second largest rectangular stadium in Asia.
THE BIG BUILD
Work on the stadium got underway on October 20, 1998 with the Stadium officially opening on November 10, 2001 after an estimated construction price of $185m US.
CAPACITY
The stadium is the second largest in South Korea and boasts a capacity of 66,704 seats, including 816 seats for VIP, 754 seats for press and 75 private Sky Box rooms, each with a capacity for 12 to 29 persons.
Due to table seats installation, the ground’s capacity was reduced from 66,806 seats to 66,704 seats in February 2014.
WORLD IN ACTION
The Stadium staged three matches during the 2002 World Cup.
It staged the opening game of the tournament which memorably saw Senegal shock reigning world champions France 1-0.
The venue also played host to a Group C game between Turkey and China with the Turks securing a 3-0 victory.
Finally, it played host to a semi-final between Germany and South Korea with the Germans edging a narrow 1-0 triumph over the co-hosts to book their place in the final.
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HOME COMFORTS
As well as having been the venue for the South Korea national football side since its opening in 2001, the stadium is also the home of K League One outfit FC Seoul.
They have played their home matches at the World Cup Stadium since 2004 and have gone to claim the Korean title on three occasions since, in 2004, 2010 and most latterly 2016.
NATIONAL IDENTITY
The Olympic Stadium proudly exhibits its Korean roots. The 50m roof has the unique shape of a traditional Korean kite and is supported by 16 masts, covering 90% of the stadium’s seats.
Clad with fiberglass fabric and polycarbonate glazing its looks as if it is made out of hanji – traditional Korean paper.
At night meanwhile, illuminations bathe the stadium in a warm, soft light, much like the light shining through the paper of a traditional Korean lamp.
YOUNG AT HEART
The Seoul World Cup Stadium was also the main venue for the 2017 Under-17 World Cup and played host to the showpiece games of the tournament.
It staged the third and fourth place play-off between Germany and Ghana which Germany won 2-1 and then was the venue for the final itself.
Nigeria were crowned champions, beating Spain 3-0 in a penalty shoot-out after the sides had drawn 0-0 across normal and extra time.
GO WEST
Seoul World Cup Stadium is located in the west of the city of Seoul on the north bank of the Han River.
It is part of a complex which include parks and amusement rides, and the stadium itself houses a large cinema and discount shopping centre and even boasts a wedding hall!
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Sangam is considered by many to be the best located of the country’s 10 World Cup stadia.
Even though it is 10 kilometres from Seoul’s City Hall, the stadium has a downtown feel with numerous transport and entertainment options close by.
For fans coming from outside Seoul, it is close to a new bridge by the same name crossing the Han River, and it is just off a highway that travels west towards the large population centres of Ilsan and Paju.
TUNES OF GLORY
The Stadium has also played host to a number of concerts by a succession of successful Korean music artists down the years, including Gangnam Style singer Psy.
It also was the venue for the fourth, fifth and sixth annual Asia Song Festival from 2007 to 2009.
Watch our 2026 tour games on CITY+!
Subscribe to CITY+ now to see all three of City’s games during our 2026 pre-season tour of Asia.
We start in Hong Kong against Italian champions Inter on Saturday 1 August, with kick-off at 12:30 (UK).
After that, we go to Seoul to play a K League All-Stars side on Wednesday 5 August and then Atletico Madrid on Sunday 9 August.
All three will be available to watch on mancity.com and our official app for current CITY+ subscribers globally*.
Available for £34.99 for an annual subscription or £9.99 per month, CITY+ gets you closer to the Club than ever before, with documentaries, live games and full-match replays throughout the season.
*City v Inter: Globally available except China, Italy
K League All-Stars v City: Globally available except South Korea
City v Atletico Madrid: Globally available except South Korea, Spain
