2026 KBO season opens with record crowds and rookie fireworks
The 2026 KBO season kicked off with high-scoring games and strong performances from both veterans and rookies. Five matches on Saturday drew a combined crowd of 105,878—the third-largest attendance in league history. Several teams also gave debuts to young players, marking the start of a fresh campaign. The KT Wiz opened their season with an 11-7 victory over the LG Twins. Every starter in the Wiz lineup recorded at least one hit, with Sam Hilliard leading the charge. He collected three hits, drove in three runs, and hit a home run. Ahn Hyun-min also stood out, reaching base five times and scoring three runs. Meanwhile, Twins catcher Park Dong-won contributed three hits, a home run, and three RBIs in a losing effort. LG pitcher Yonny Chirinos struggled, giving up six runs in a single inning.
In another match, the Lotte Giants defeated the Samsung Lions 6-3. Elvin Rodriguez secured his first win of the season, while rookie Lee Gang-min made an immediate impact. The 19-year-old tied a KBO record with three hits in his debut. Elsewhere, Matt Sauer earned a win in his KBO debut for the Wiz despite issuing five walks. Before the season began, the KBO announced that five teams—Hanwha, NC, KT, Lotte, and Kiwoom—had included at least one rookie on their opening-day rosters. Samsung also had a rookie listed, though no confirmation was given on their starting role. The remaining four teams—KIA, LG, Doosan, and SSG—fielded no first-year players.
The opening day set the tone for an exciting season, with rookies and established players making their mark. The high attendance figures reflect strong fan interest as the league moves forward. Teams will now look to build on their early performances in the coming weeks.
