Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Secures KRW 460 Million in National Funding to Advance Preparations for the 2026 Busan International Marathon and the Junior & Cadet Sabre Fencing World Cup

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced today that two events were selected for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s public competition for its “Support Program for International Sports Events Hosted by Local Governments,” securing KRW 460 million in national funding.

Recognized as featuring distinctive characteristics and strong competitiveness in line with the selection criteria, Busan Metropolitan City achieved the notable result of having two events selected: the 2026 Busan International Marathon (KRW 300 million in national funding) and the 2026 Busan International Junior & Cadet Men’s and Women’s Sabre Fencing World Cup (KRW 160 million in national funding).

In particular, the 2026 Busan International Marathon is planned as a large-scale, urban international marathon where citizens and runners from Korea and abroad can participate together, under the theme of “Bridge Marathon,” highlighting Busan’s symbolic identity as a maritime capital city.

The city plans to maximize symbolism by designing the course configuration and overall race operation and production in an integrated manner, so that the identity of the maritime city is naturally showcased—especially through bridge sections.

With this national funding secured, the 2026 Busan International Marathon has established the first step toward full implementation. Going forward, Busan Metropolitan City will further refine and concretize the plan through consultations with relevant institutions.

In collaboration with related organizations such as the Busan Athletic Federation, the city will form an organizing committee, comprehensively discuss details—including the course and participation format—and then make sequential announcements.

In addition, Busan Metropolitan City aims to expand tourist inflows through hosting the events, linking this to revitalizing the local economy and enhancing the city’s brand image.

In particular, the city plans to generate ripple effects across related industries—such as accommodation, dining, and transportation—so that the outcomes of the events can meaningfully circulate back into the local community.

The 2026 Busan International Junior & Cadet Men’s and Women’s Sabre Fencing World Cup also gained momentum in its preparations as a result of being selected through this public competition.

This event is an international World Cup competition where promising fencing athletes from around the world gather in one place. As Busan is the hub of Korea’s sabre fencing discipline, the event is expected to help position the city as a world-class fencing city and contribute to broadening the base of the sport.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “This selection through the public competition is the result of our capacity to host international events and our content planning capabilities being recognized at the same time.” He added, “Just as we showcased the charm of the maritime capital city of Busan through this year’s Seven Bridges Tour, we will also develop the Busan International Marathon into a global sports tourism product that reflects Busan’s unique characteristics.”

He continued, “We will also actively support the Fencing World Cup event so that promising fencing athletes in Korea can take it as an opportunity to grow into world-class competitors.”