The big Incheon arena where K-pop fans have been queuing for concerts gets a new sign in December: 'Naver Arena at Inspire'. Naver announced a three-year naming-rights deal with Inspire Resort on Oct. 26.
More than a new name
The roughly 15,000-seat indoor venue stays as it is, but from December it is called Naver Arena at Inspire, or just Naver Arena, for three years. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The split is simple: Naver handles Naver Plus membership perks and brand marketing, while Inspire brings in global concerts and sports and runs the building.
Face entry and AR directions
Naver calls the arena a landmark for showing off its technology. Planned features are Npay FaceSign face-recognition entry, entry with NFTs in an Npay wallet, and AR wayfinding on Naver Labs' digital twin tech.
Which shows get these first has not been announced.
First event: late-December tennis
The first event under the new name is expected to be 'Naver x Hyundai Card THE SIX' on Dec. 25-27: Sabalenka, Rybakina, Swiatek, Osaka, Andreeva and Paolini in a six-player women's tennis event.
Money Today describes that schedule as expected rather than confirmed.
If you have tickets
Ticketing and entry details were not part of the announcement. For shows after December, check the venue under both names on booking pages.
Inspire Entertainment Resort exterior (taken 2024; not a photo of the arena interior or new signage). Photo by Whoisim, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
