Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, also known as the May Day Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Pyongyang, North Korea. It is used mostly for association football matches, athletic events, and mass games, being owned by the North Korean government.
Opened on 1 May 1989, with an Arirang Festival, it replaced the Kim Il-sung Stadium. The seating capacity of the stadium is the largest in the world, with a total capacity of 114,000. The stadium was designed by the Korean People's Army, and its construction cost remains undisclosed.
Being one of the largest stadiums in the world by capacity, Rungrado 1st of May Stadium has hosted numerous significant events. It was the main venue of the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students. The stadium is known for hosting the annual Arirang Festival, a gymnastic and artistic performance event also known as the Mass Games. The stadium has also hosted several international football matches, including World Cup qualifiers. Despite its massive size, the stadium is not a regular host of football matches, with the national team often playing at the smaller Kim Il-sung Stadium. The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is one of the iconic structures of Pyongyang and North Korea, often used in propaganda materials.
While the previous Pyongyang stadium was also officially named 'Kim Il-sung Stadium', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, Rungrado 1st of May Stadium. Rungrado is the name of the island the stadium was built on, situated in the Taedong River in Pyongyang, North Korea, which itself derives its name from the nearby Rungra Island. This unofficial name caught on soon after the original stadium's construction; the people of Pyongyang used to simply call it Rungrado ('Orchid'). Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'Rungrado 1st of May Stadium', which is usually anglicized to 'Rungrado May Day Stadium'. The stadium was opened on May 1, 1989, hence the '1st of May' in its name.
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is the largest stadium in the world, with a total capacity of 114,000. The stadium's scalloped roof features 16 arches arranged in a ring, and it covers 2.2 million square feet (20.9 hectares). The stadium was constructed as a main stadium for the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students in 1989. It is currently used for football matches, athletics events, and mass games.
The most notable event held at the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is the Arirang Festival, also known as the Mass Games. The festival was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest gymnastic display with over 100,000 participants. The festival usually takes place from August to October and features gymnastics, dance performances, and artistry, all performed in a highly synchronized and choreographed manner.
The stadium has also been used for various sporting events, both domestic and international. It has hosted matches of the DPR Korea League, the national football league, and international matches of the North Korea national football team. The stadium also features an athletics track, indoor swimming pool, and rooms for indoor sports. Despite its massive size and capacity, the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is not the national stadium of North Korea; that title goes to the Kim Il-sung Stadium.
Over the years, the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium has become a symbol of North Korea's grandeur and ambition. Despite controversies surrounding the country's political regime, the stadium stands as a testament to the country's capabilities and as a source of national pride. It remains a significant landmark and a popular tourist attraction in North Korea.
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is located on Rungra Island in the Taedong River, Pyongyang, North Korea. With its unique design and colossal size, it is considered as the largest stadium in the world by capacity. It was named after the international workers' day, which is also known as 'May Day'.
The club's aim was always to fully own the stadium and the surrounding areas, and it managed to achieve this goal. The initial plans for this gigantic sports complex were drawn in the late 1980s, under the leadership of the North Korean government.
Under the guidance of the then-leader Kim Il-sung, the citizens contributed to the building costs of the stadium through increased fees and large donations. Some even dedicated their personal time on holidays or weekends to work on the construction site. There was even a 'cement campaign', where large quantities of cement bags were donated to support the construction.
The construction officially began on 1st May 1986. After two and a half years of immense hard work and at a cost of an undisclosed amount, the stadium was completed on 1st May 1989. The stadium was officially opened to the public with a massive inaugural ceremony that was attended by thousands of people. The stadium has a seating capacity of 114,000, which makes it the largest stadium in the world.
The main structure of the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is shaped like a parachute or a magnolia flower, which symbolizes the strength and unity of the North Korean people. The stadium covers a total area of 20.7 hectares and its roof features 16 arches arranged in a ring, making it an architectural marvel.
The stadium is not just designed for football but also accommodates athletics events, Arirang performances, and other massive gatherings. It has an athletics track, a football field, and even a swimming pool. The stadium has been used for several large-scale events, including the World Festival of Youth and Students and numerous North Korean Arirang Mass Games performances. Its facilities and amenities are designed to cater to the diverse needs of its massive audience.
Despite its massive size, the stadium has excellent accessibility. It is well connected by public transport and has ample parking space. The surrounding area of the stadium is also well developed with parks and other recreational facilities, making it a popular destination not just for sports enthusiasts but also for tourists.
Rungrado 1st Of May Stadium (1989): Information about the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, its history, and usage https://www.dprkorea.com
Rungrado 1st Of May Stadium (The Colosseum) – until 2003: Detailed information about the stadium and its capacity http://www.stadiumdb.com
The Glory of Rungrado: A book about the glory of Rungrado 1st of May Stadium http://www.primebooks.com
DPR Korea's Pride: The Rungrado 1st Of May Stadium - A History 1: A book about the history of Rungrado 1st of May Stadium http://www.edicao_e_conteudos.com
Becoming a leading global provider of digital solutions and services for the sports industry, enabling our clients to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
We aspire to be a trusted partner and advisor to our clients, leveraging our expertise and passion for sports to help them succeed in a rapidly changing market.
