The scorching heat in Seoul, which soared to a high of 37°C during the day, did not subside even at night. The stands at Seoul World Cup Stadium, where Manchester City faced Team K League, also left many empty seats compared to previous matches. Team K League lost 1-3 to Manchester City in the first match of the 2026 Coupang Play Series held at Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8 p.m. on August 5.
The number of spectators who visited the stadium that day was 28,036 people. For the 2022 Tottenham Hotspur match held at Seoul World Cup Stadium, 64,100 people attended, 58,903 people for the 2023 Atlético Madrid match, and 63,395 people for the 2024 Tottenham match. Last year’s Newcastle United match had 27,422 spectators, but that match was held at Suwon World Cup Stadium. Among matches held at Seoul World Cup Stadium, this was the lowest attendance. The weather was the biggest variable. Even at 8 p.m., when the match started, the temperature remained around 33°C. With humidity near 80%, the perceived temperature was even higher.
Spectators endured the heat with mini fans, ice water, and cold beverages. Some professional baseball games were even canceled due to the heatwave. The organizers deployed additional ambulances and medical personnel and operated hydration breaks in each half. The lineup of Manchester City also affected the turnout. Erling Haaland and Rodri did not participate in the Korea tour to rest after the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup. With no Korean players and some star players missing, it did not generate the same enthusiasm as their visit three years ago. Manchester City dominated from the start. In the 9th minute of the first half, Ryan Ait-Nouri scored the opening goal after Tijani Reinders shook the right flank. Team K League balanced the score three minutes later. After Yago persistently kept possession, he passed to Kim Dae-won, who opened the net guarded by Gianluigi Donnarumma with a right-foot shot.
Manchester City accelerated again. In the 20th minute, Reinders took the lead again with a right-foot shot after receiving a heel pass from Antoine Semenyo. In the 23rd minute, Song Beom-geun blocked Semenyo’s shot, but Divin Mubama pushed the loose ball into the net. The first half ended with Manchester City leading 3-1. In the second half, both teams attempted to score more, but their defenders and goalkeepers blocked the attacks. Team K League also created chances through counterattacks and flank attacks but failed to convert them. No additional goals were scored. The match ended with Manchester City’s 3-1 victory. Despite the heatwave, over 28,000 spectators visited the stadium. Manchester City’s sky-blue uniforms and K League club uniforms filled the stands, but compared to past Team K League matches in Seoul, the atmosphere was clearly different.
A notable scene was some fans leaving the stadium immediately after the first half, packing their belongings. The combination of a midweek evening match, extreme heat, and the absence of some star players highlighted the limitations of this event’s turnout. The empty seats at Seoul World Cup Stadium, which can accommodate over 60,000 people, clearly showed this.
