Marking its 40th anniversary, the Hanwha Eagles of the South Korean Professional Baseball League has entered a new era with the unveiling of their long-anticipated stadium. The team’s new home, Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark, officially opened on Mar. 5, replacing Hanwha Life Eagles Park. Built on the former site of Hanbat Sports Complex, the stadium was constructed with a total investment of 207.4 billion won ($143 million), including 15 billion won ($10 million) in national funding, 143.8 billion won ($99 million) from the city, and 48.6 billion won ($34 million) from Hanwha Group. Spanning two underground levels and four above-ground floors, the facility covers 58,594 square meters and has a seating capacity of 20,027. Eager to turn the page, the Eagles are moving into their long-awaited new home, leaving behind Hanwha Life Eagles Park, long criticized for its aging infrastructure. The state-of-the-art stadium marks a fresh chapter for the team and its supporters.
A standout feature of the new stadium is the “Monster Wall,” an asymmetrical left-field fence designed to influence game dynamics. The left-field wall is set 99 meters from home plate, while the right-field fence stands at 95 meters. To counterbalance the shorter right-field distance, the Monster Wall measures 32 meters in length and rises 8 meters high, altering the trajectory of home runs and potentially converting them into extra-base hits. Outfielders will also have opportunities for dramatic leaping catches. The remainder of the outfield fences stand at 2.4 meters, lower than the 3.2- to 4-meter fences common in other stadiums, a factor that could favor power hitters. The outfield wall follows a distinct pentagonal design.
The Monster Wall has drawn comparisons to Fenway Park’s iconic “Green Monster,” the 11.3-meter wall at the home of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox. Unlike Fenway’s solid green structure with a manual scoreboard, Hanwha’s version features a semi-transparent “media glass” capable of displaying video content and graphics. Behind the wall, a multi-level bullpen allows fans to observe both teams’ pitchers as they warm up. The home bullpen occupies the first level, while the visiting team’s bullpen is positioned above.
Another notable addition is the stadium’s infinity pool, a first for any baseball venue. Located on the fourth floor along the third-base side, the pool measures 15 meters in length, 5 meters in width, and 1.5 meters in depth. Constructed from transparent acrylic, it offers fans the unique experience of watching the game while swimming. Adjacent to the pool is a camping zone, designed to accommodate families and groups seeking a more leisure-oriented experience at the ballpark.
This marks Hanwha’s first new stadium since the franchise’s founding in 1986. The previous stadium, originally built in 1964, underwent multiple renovations but remained plagued by a limited 12,000-seat capacity and deteriorating infrastructure. Players frequently voiced concerns over substandard locker rooms and shower facilities, with some even attributing the team’s struggles since the late 2000s to the poor stadium conditions.
With a 60% increase in seating capacity compared to its predecessor, the new ballpark is expected to drive higher attendance. Hanwha led the league in sellouts last season, recording 47 games at full capacity, and the expanded venue is projected to further boost fan turnout. The new locker rooms, designed in consultation with the team, prioritize player comfort and team cohesion, incorporating Hanwha’s signature orange bricks to foster a sense of identity. The facilities also provide direct access to the weight room and indoor turf training area, streamlining pregame preparations. Hanwha officials noted that both players and coaching staff were impressed with the upgraded indoor amenities.
Fan-centric design elements were also a focus of the stadium’s construction. The field is oriented southeast to ensure that home fans on the first-base side are shaded as the sun sets. A large electronic scoreboard positioned along the left-field fence enhances visibility for spectators. Seating arrangements have been improved with aisle widths expanded by 6 centimeters laterally and 5 centimeters front to back, making movement within the stands more convenient.
While the stadium’s seats are navy blue, the foul poles stand out in Hanwha’s signature orange instead of the conventional yellow seen in most ballparks. The color scheme extends to the restrooms, with men’s facilities marked in navy and women’s in orange. The surrounding area will also feature green spaces with playgrounds and recreational areas, further integrating the stadium into the local community. Daejeon officials have positioned the new ballpark as more than just a sports venue, calling it a landmark and a multi-purpose cultural complex set to become a major attraction for the region.
