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Beat the Summer Heat with a Thrilling Race on the Suyeong River! Busan Metropolitan City to Host 2026 Dragon Boat Competitions

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, announced that it will host the 14th Korea Open Busan International Dragon Boat Festival and the 17th Busan Mayor's Cup Dragon Boat Competition for five days from today, August 20, through August 24, around APEC Naru Park on the Suyeong River.

The events are hosted by Busan Metropolitan City and organized by the Busan Federation of the Sea Explorers of Korea.

Dragon boating is a distinctive water leisure sport in which teams of 12 to 20 members race across the water while paddling in rhythm with a drummer's beat.

Decorated with dragon figures at the bow and stern, dragon boats have gained popularity around the world beyond Asia since dragon boat racing was adopted as an official sport at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.

It is a dynamic, non-motorized, environmentally friendly water sport in which paddlers propel the boat while a drummer at the bow beats a drum to build momentum and regulate the pace. Teamwork and coordination among team members are essential.

Official races will be held from tomorrow, August 21, through August 22, with approximately 850 participants expected to race on the Suyeong River.

The Korea Open Busan International Dragon Boat Festival will feature 19 teams and approximately 500 participants from 11 countries, including the United States, Australia, and Canada. Races will be held over 200 meters and 300 meters in 12-person and 22-person boats, with open, women's, and mixed categories.

The Busan Mayor's Cup Dragon Boat Competition will bring together approximately 350 members of dragon boat clubs from across Korea. The 300-meter race for 12-person boats will be divided into a mixed general division and an open youth division.

The opening ceremony will be held tomorrow, August 21, at 11:00 a.m. on the main stage at APEC Naru Park on the Suyeong River. Athletes and distinguished guests will attend, and the successful opening of the event will be marked by an official declaration and opening performances, including the traditional dragon eye-dotting ceremony.

A variety of free hands-on activities for the public, including bracelet making and instant photo printing, will also be offered during the event.

Na Yoon-bin, Director General of the Tourism and MICE Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, said, "We expect this event not only to provide a venue where domestic and international participants can communicate, interact, and build solidarity, but also to serve as an opportunity for Busan to take another leap forward as a world-class marine leisure tourism city."

He added, "We ask for the strong interest and active participation of Busan residents to help ensure the success of this international dragon boat event, which is expected to generate new international tourism demand."