The 2026 Chuseok Jangsa Ssireum Tournament will grandly open from October 5th to 11th, lasting one week in Goesan County, Chungcheongbuk-do. This year, we can once again continue the cherished memories of the whole family gathering in front of the TV during holidays, cheering with bated breath. Since this year’s Chuseok falls slightly off from the tournament dates, it is easy to miss the TV broadcast if you don’t check the schedule in advance. The tournament will be held at the Goesan Culture and Sports Center, where top athletes from across the country will engage in fierce battles on the sand ring. We have compiled a detailed schedule so you can vividly enjoy the athletes’ heavy breathing and exciting techniques from your living room. Let’s take a closer look at which athletes will participate in this traditional sports festival that perfectly captures the holiday spirit.
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2026 Chuseok Ssireum Tournament Schedule & Broadcasts: Venue and Dates for the Chuseok Jangsa Ssireum Tournament
1. 2026 Chuseok Ssireum Tournament Schedule and Venue
The 2026 Chuseok Jangsa Ssireum Tournament will run for a total of 7 days, from Monday, October 5th, to Sunday, October 11th. The venue has been confirmed as the Goesan Culture and Sports Center in Goesan County, Chungcheongbuk-do, and preparations are underway to welcome spectators. Considering that the main Chuseok holiday falls in mid-September, the tournament timing is slightly offset from the actual holiday period, which can make the schedule confusing. Since the tournament begins immediately after the holiday break, it is advisable for those with busy schedules to mark the dates on their calendars in advance. Regarded as one of the four major traditional ssireum festivals alongside Seollal and Dano, this tournament is also drawing nationwide attention. Approximately 5,000 people, including athletes, officials, and numerous spectators, are expected to visit the site, creating a buzz throughout the local community.
This is not the first time a large-scale sports event has been held in Goesan County, as it has experience hosting several national-level ssireum tournaments. If you want to watch the impressive matches performed by athletes in front of a large audience, visiting the venue to coincide with the opening schedule is a great option. Even if you prefer to watch comfortably from home via television, knowing the exact match dates and days of the week is essential to ensure you don’t miss the live broadcasts. As you follow the breathless preliminary and main matches across various weight classes that continue daily for 7 days, the week will fly by. Making a bet with your family on who will be crowned this year’s Jangsa can also be a small joy after the holidays.
The 2026 Chuseok Jangsa Ssireum Tournament will be held at the Goesan Culture and Sports Center in Chungcheongbuk-do from October 5th to 11th.
2. Chuseok Jangsa Ssireum Tournament Broadcast Channels
For viewers who enjoy watching ssireum during holidays, the most important information is undoubtedly the broadcast channel and schedule. Major matches in this year’s tournament are also scheduled to be live-broadcasted nationwide via KBS channels, allowing you to feel the vibrant atmosphere from your living room. However, exact broadcast times and the daily changing weight class schedules are often finalized as the tournament approaches. Therefore, it is safer to check the latest information on the broadcasting station’s official schedule and the Korea Ssireum Association’s website the day before you plan to watch. Due to the nature of ssireum, where victory or defeat is decided in an instant, you can experience the tension of not being able to take your eyes off the screen for even a second in your home theater.
Knowing a few basic technique names can double the fun when watching matches on the broadcast screen. You will naturally exclaim in admiration whenever techniques like the “deulbaejigi” (lifting and throwing by wrapping the waist) or “andari” (tripping the legs) are executed. The charm of TV broadcasts is further enhanced by the professional commentary of the analysts, which allows you to catch even the subtle psychological battles between the athletes. The dust from the sand ring and the athletes’ burning passion transmitted through the screen are more than enough to capture the hearts of home viewers in the fall. The scene of the whole family gathering in the living room to discuss which athlete to cheer for while watching the live broadcast is a heartwarming tradition for us.
Major matches will be live-broadcasted on KBS channels; please check the latest schedule before viewing.
3. From Men’s Jangsa to Women’s Ssireum Matches
This tournament features a diverse range of matches, including men’s individual events, women’s individual events, and team events. Many strong contenders will engage in fierce battles for the weight class Jangsa titles, which are considered the pinnacle of traditional ssireum. In lighter weight classes like Sobak Jangsa and Taebaek Jangsa, agile footwork and quick reflexes are the key elements that determine the outcome. On the other hand, matches in heavier weight classes such as Geumgang Jangsa, Halla Jangsa, and Baekdu Jangsa feature masculine, famous matches where immense strength and high-level techniques clash. Moving away from the old image of heavy and slow ssireum, recent athletes possess both flexibility and speed, delivering a more refined performance.
In particular, with the popularity of women’s ssireum rising daily, great expectations are placed on the performance of the female athletes in this tournament. The host county, Goesan, operates its own women’s ssireum team and has a track record of achieving excellent results in previous tournaments. Attention is focused on whether the athletes from the Goesan County Office, competing with the enthusiastic support of the home crowd, will achieve good results this time as well. Since matches in various weight classes that anyone of any age or gender can enjoy continue daily, the viewing experience is highly diverse. The sight of athletes giving their best while sweating on the sand ring provides viewers with deep emotion and catharsis.
Men’s and women’s weight class Jangsa matches and team events will be held evenly, allowing you to enjoy a variety of matches.
4. Background of the Tournament Being Held in Goesan County
The selection of Goesan, Chungcheongbuk-do, as the host for the 2026 Chuseok Jangsa Ssireum Tournament is rooted in the solid relationships built over the years. Goesan County has contributed to the development of traditional sports by successfully hosting the National Jangsa Ssireum Tournament themed around organic farming for several years. In fact, the related tournament held this year also saw numerous athletes and officials visit from across the country, injecting vitality into the local commercial sector. Recognized for its successful tournament operation experience and administrative support capabilities, the county achieved the feat of winning the bid for this tournament. From the local government’s perspective, it is also a prime opportunity to promote the region’s name and tourism resources nationwide.
During the period of large-scale sports events, athletes, their families, and numerous spectators from across the country visit Goesan. While they stay, they use local accommodations and taste regional foods, naturally boosting the local economy. It also serves as an opportunity for tourists to experience the charm of a provincial city and return home with new impressions, going beyond just watching the matches. Residents of Goesan County are actively preparing to welcome guests with pride in having such a major tournament in their area. A venue for unity is being created where local residents and sports fans from across the country come together through the traditional cultural heritage of ssireum.
