Rungrado 1st of May Stadium facts for kids
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| Full name | The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium Pyongyang |
|---|---|
| Former names | Rungrado May Day Stadium |
| Location | Rŭngrado, Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Coordinates | 39°2′59″N 125°46′31″E / 39.04972°N 125.77528°E |
| Capacity | 114,000 |
| Field size | Main pitch – 22,500 m2 (242,000 sq ft) Total floor space – over 207,000 m2 (2,230,000 sq ft) |
| Surface | Artificial turf |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1986 |
| Built | 1986–1989 |
| Opened | 1 May 1989 |
| Tenants | |
| North Korea national football team North Korea women's national football team April 25 Sports Club |
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| Korean name | |
| Hangul |
릉라도 5월1일 경기장
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| Hanja |
綾羅島 五月一日 競技場
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| RR | Reungnado 5wol1il gyeonggijang |
| MR | Rŭngnado 5wŏl1il kyŏnggijang |
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium (Hangul: 릉라도 5월1일 경기장) is a huge stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea. It sits on Rŭngrado island and covers an area of about 20.7 hectares (51 acres). The stadium first opened on May 1, 1989. Its very first big event was the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students.
This stadium is one of the largest in the world! It can hold up to 114,000 people. Only the Narendra Modi Stadium is bigger when it comes to seating capacity.
Contents
What the Stadium is Used For
This stadium is a multi-purpose venue, meaning it's used for many different things.
- It hosts exciting football matches.
- Some athletics events, like track and field, also take place here.
- It is also famous for the amazing mass games of the Arirang Festival. These are huge performances with thousands of people.
The Stadium's Unique Look
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium has a very special design.
- Its roof looks like a beautiful magnolia blossom.
- It has 16 large arches arranged in a circle.
- The main playing field is huge, covering 22,500 square meters (242,188 sq ft).
- The entire building has eight stories and a total floor space of over 207,000 square meters (2,228,129 sq ft).
- The highest points of its roof are more than 60 meters (197 ft) above the ground.
Seating Capacity Changes
When the stadium was first built, it could hold 150,000 people. In 2014, it was renovated. Some of the long bench seats were replaced with individual seats. After this, the capacity was estimated to be around 114,000. However, officials confirmed in 2022 that the stadium can still be expanded to hold up to 150,000 people again if needed.
A Look Back at History
The stadium was built during an exciting time in North Korea.
- In the 1980s, North Korea wanted to show its strength to the world.
- When the 1988 Summer Olympics were given to Seoul, South Korea, North Korea decided to host its own big event.
- They successfully won the bid to host the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students in Pyongyang in 1989.
- Many large construction projects began for this festival, and the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium was one of them.
- When it was finished, it was the biggest stadium ever built in Asia!
Famous Performances and Events
While the stadium hosts sports, it is most famous for its massive performances. These shows often celebrate the nation and its leaders.
- From June to July 2002, the stadium hosted the huge Arirang Festival. This was a gymnastic and artistic performance.
- Over 100,000 people took part in this amazing show. That's more than the number of people watching!
- The Arirang Festival became an annual event in Pyongyang, usually in August and September.
- In 2007, the Guinness Book of Records recognized it as the largest gymnastics display ever. It had 100,090 participants.
Other Important Events
- In April 1995, the stadium hosted "Collision in Korea." This was a very large professional wrestling event.
- Local authorities reported that 150,000 and 190,000 people attended on the two different days.
- After a two-year renovation, the stadium reopened in 2015.
- In July 2017, it hosted six group stage matches for the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship qualification.
- In September 2018, South Korean President Moon Jae-in gave a speech here. He spoke to 150,000 North Korean spectators alongside Chairman Kim Jong Un. His speech focused on themes of peace and cooperation.
- In July 2019, Kim Jong Un welcomed Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping to a special performance. It was called "Invincible Socialism" and celebrated 70 years of friendship between China and North Korea.
- On December 31, 2022, a New Year's Eve concert was held at the stadium. Kim Jong Un and other important officials attended. Since then, the Rungrado Stadium has been the main place for New Year's Eve celebrations.
Major Events Held Here
- Opening and closing ceremonies of the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students in 1989
- "Collision in Korea" professional wrestling event in 1995
- 2018 Inter-Korean Summit Pyongyang
Yearly Events
- Arirang Festival
- Pyongyang Marathon
Images for kids
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The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium from above.
See also
In Spanish: Estadio Rungrado Primero de Mayo para niños
