Korea Baseball Organization officials confirmed Thursday that the playoff series between Kia Tigers and Samsung Lions will open Friday at Daegu’s Sajik Baseball Stadium, shifting the postseason map south just days after defending champion LG Twins were swept out of Jamsil Baseball Stadium for the final time before demolition.
Jamsil’s last out
LG fell 13-1 to Kia on Tuesday in Game 3 of the semi-playoff round, completing a 0-3 exit and ending a two-year title defense. The loss also served as the last official KBO game at Jamsil, which opened in 1982 and will be razed to make way for a domed replacement scheduled to open in 2029. Fans lingered after the final out to photograph the outfield wall where franchise icons are painted.
Kia outscored LG 24-5 over the series, hitting seven home runs to the Twins’ one. Manager Kim Won-ho said his club would carry momentum north to Samsung’s home turf, though Lions pitchers posted the league’s lowest team ERA in the second half.
Playoff schedule
The best-of-five playoff between Kia and Samsung starts Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Daegu, with Games 2 and 3 scheduled Saturday and Sunday if necessary. The winner advances to the Korean Series against regular-season champion Hanwha Eagles, who earned a bye after posting the league’s best record.
Ticket queues on Kia’s app crashed briefly Wednesday when playoff seats released, reflecting pent-up demand after Jamsil’s farewell. Stadium operators added portable concession stands to handle crowds accustomed to Seoul’s larger food courts.
League context
No KBO team has repeated as champion since Doosan in 2015–2016, a streak LG failed to break despite winning the 2025 title on the road in Daejeon. For Samsung, the playoff is a chance to return to the Korean Series after a 2024 semi-playoff exit; for Kia, it is validation of an offense that led the league in team slugging.
Construction crews will begin asbestos abatement at Jamsil next month. Until the dome arrives, Seoul fans must ride the KTX to Daegu or watch Hanwha host any finals games at Incheon’s Munhak Stadium—a geographic shake-up that mirrors the roster turnover already sweeping the league.