The 2026 White Open Seoul drew thousands of participants to Yeouido Park’s Culture Square on October 10 and 11, marking the fourth year of South Korea’s largest urban tennis festival. Organized by Mistokorea under the direction of CEO Kim Ji-hyun for the Italian sports brand Fila, the two-day event expanded beyond traditional spectator sports into an immersive community gathering combining tennis education, multi-sport trials, and charitable giving. Over the weekend, visitors interacted directly with professional athletes, tested specialized equipment, and contributed to a substantial equipment donation campaign linked to Seoul’s municipal network.
Expanding Community Access at Yeouido Park
Moving from its previous home at Banpo Ye빛섬 in 2025—and prior locations including Gwanghwamun Square and Olympic Park—the festival utilized Yeouido Park’s Culture Square to bridge professional tennis heritage with public recreation. According to event organizers, the program shifted emphasis toward interactive learning rather than passive observation. South Korean tennis legend Lee Hyung-taek and 2014 Incheon Asian Games men’s doubles gold medalist Lim Yong-gyu led on-court sessions alongside Fila tennis ambassador coaches Um Seon-young and Kim Eun-seo. Television personality and tennis enthusiast Jang Sung-kyu also joined the court activities, participating in exhibition rallies that drew crowds from the surrounding district.
Interactive Skill Zones and Pickleball Integration
Visitors gained direct access to coaching through the newly introduced Tennis Skills Zone, where three professional instructors operated continuous, ability-matched lessons throughout both days. Participants who qualified through reviews for Fila’s Axilus Pro 4 performance tennis shoes received dedicated coaching sessions and match play opportunities with the brand’s ambassadors. In addition to standard tennis drills and random ball challenges, the festival incorporated dedicated courts for pickleball, reflecting the growing domestic interest in alternative racket sports. Families and children engaged in playground challenges and dedicated bounce-house activity zones, while a large hot-air balloon photo installation and food-and-beverage pavilions anchored the lifestyle exhibition space.
Evening Concerts and Musical Performances
On the evening of October 11, the festival concluded its daytime athletic programming with an after-concert running from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. local time. Vocalists Shin Ae-kin, Chungha, and Woodz performed on the central stage, drawing sports fans and general park visitors together to close out the weekend. The integration of live music underscored the brand’s strategy to position tennis as an accessible cultural lifestyle rather than a strict athletic discipline.
Charitable Partnerships and Equipment Contributions
The festival partnered with the Seoul Namin-Eum Network to tie public attendance and on-court participation directly into a community support initiative. Fila announced plans to donate approximately 250 million Korean won worth of sports equipment, combining visitor registration metrics with a portion of online and offline tennis shoe sales generated during the event period. Real-time contribution totals were displayed on the venue’s large LED screens to encourage public participation in the philanthropic effort. The distribution of the athletic gear will be managed through the child welfare agency Green Umbrella, specifically targeting sports activity support for young adults preparing to leave state care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the 2026 White Open Seoul take place?
The festival was held at the Culture Square inside Yeouido Park in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, shifting locations from the 2025 event at Banpo Ye빛섬.
Who were the featured tennis instructors at the event?
The coaching lineup featured former professional players Lee Hyung-taek and Lim Yong-gyu, alongside Fila tennis ambassador coaches Um Seon-young and Kim Eun-seo.
How much is being donated through the festival’s charity initiative?
Fila committed approximately 250 million won in sports equipment, funded through event participation metrics and a percentage of tennis shoe sales during the operating window.
Which organization will receive the donated sporting goods?
The child welfare agency Green Umbrella will distribute the equipment to support the athletic endeavors of young adults transitioning out of welfare systems.
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