One Last Match After the CSAT: Korea's School Sports Festival Welcomes Seniors

When exams end, students close their textbooks. This year, some can lace up their shoes for one more school match before graduation.

The 19th national school sports festival runs October 23 to December 13. Organizers expect around 20,000 qualifying students and teachers. Nineteen sports are scheduled through November 15, with separate senior-year contests in Iksan on December 12–13, after the CSAT.

The notable change is practical: seniors busy preparing for the CSAT now have a separate chance to compete. It gives graduating students a sporting milestone of their own.

The festival began in 2008. Beyond matches, organizers plan regional cultural and sports activities, and the School Sports Promotion Association has announced an official social-media participation event.

Organizers describe roughly 20,000 participants. The festival runs October 23–December 13 with 19 sports, including badminton, football, basketball and table tennis. The new December 12–13 contests in Iksan are boys' volleyball and girls' badminton for high school seniors.

The CSAT is scheduled for November 19, and the senior-year matches follow in December. Eligibility and event schedules should be checked against the official portal.