Adding a K League game to your school trip is possible with Jeju United, a "marketing gourmet" team that is breaking the mold by thinking outside the box.
Jeju welcomed 114,015 fans to Jeju World Cup Stadium for 19 league home matches last season. With an average attendance of 6,000 fans per game, that's a whopping 90.4% increase from the average attendance of 3,151 fans per game in the 2022 season. Jeju's popularity continues to grow this year. Three home games, including one midweek, drew an average of 6,182 fans per game. It's encouraging to see that attendance hasn't dropped despite various variables such as performance, weather, and midweek schedule.
In the meantime, Jeju has increased its efforts to attract spectators through various targeted marketing programs such as 'in-stadium career counseling' (for middle and high school students), 'group shuttle bus operation' (for transportation), and 'Ohjeong Kimbap + admission ticket + MD gift certificate package deal' (restaurant collaboration). After achieving encouraging results, Jeju is working harder to attract spectators with ideas and targeted marketing to attract fans from out of town.
One such example is the 'Home Game School Trip Football Viewing Program', which has been running since last year. Jeju Island, with its natural environment and cultural heritage, is considered a mecca for school trips. Many students visit Jeju every year. In response, Jeju is attracting school travel groups, which no one in the professional sports world has paid attention to, to Jeju World Cup Stadium, not only to increase the number of spectators, which is the primary goal, but also to attract outsiders or casual fans who have begun to be interested in soccer.
The home game against Jeonbuk (2-0 win) on April 3 (Wednesday) is a typical example. The game was attended by 3,426 fans. This was not a small crowd considering it was a rainy weekday evening. The effect of the 'Home Game School Trip Football Viewing Program' was also evident. On this day, 233 students from Seongsu High School in Chuncheon and 170 students from Shinheung High School in Jeonju came to Jeju World Cup Stadium to cheer.
The reason why Jeju's disappointment is even greater is that the benefits of the 'Home Game Football Viewing Program' are abundant. In addition to group discounts on tickets (reserved seats in E), school tour groups who apply for the 'Home Game Football Tour Program' receive various benefits such as blocking the group viewing area (prior consultation required), 스포츠토토 introducing and welcoming the school on the electronic board, participating in the halftime event (prior consultation required), and receiving a 'welcome gift' for the school group.
Above all, memories are powerful. 'I saw the K League for the first time on a school trip to Jeju Island, and it was fun' can have a huge impact on family, friends, and acquaintances. This is the wisdom of Jeju, which foresaw a win-win situation with the K League. That's why Jeju welcomes school tour groups with open arms at every home game. To apply and inquire about the 'Home Game School Trip Football Viewing Program', call 064-903-1209 or 064-738-0934.
A Jeju official said, "Due to its geographical location, it is difficult for Jeju to attract a large number of spectators compared to mainland clubs. Rather than waiting for spectators to come, we chose to 'play with our feet'. That's why we planned the 'School Trip to Home Games' program. If the students who came from all over the country felt the marketing philosophy and values that we wanted to share with them, I believe there will be another ripple effect. We will continue to think about ways to attract spectators and create a win-win situation for the K League."
