Instant Alert: North Korea has the biggest sports arena in the world — here's a look inside

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   North Korea has the biggest sports arena in the world — here's a look inside by Chris Weller on Oct 13, 2015, 10:53 AM Advertisement It's no accident North Korea's most sacred buildings are its largest. According to Nick Bonner, a tour guide for Koryo Tours who visits once a year, the leaders of the country aim to prove North Korea's might through its architecture, most of which is made of bulky concrete. That includes the May Day Stadium, a colossal structure built in 1989 and remodeled in 2014, which seats 150,000 people. It is the largest stadium by capacity in the world. While it hosts some soccer matches and general athletic competitions, May Day's grandest and most elaborate events are the annual Mass Games (known in Korean as Arirang). They pay tribute to the country's history, founders, and current leaders through gymnastics and dance performances put on by thousands of participants. The spectacle is often as grandiose as the venue itself. Located in the heart of Pyongyang, North's Korea capital city, May Day Stadium looms over the adjacent Taedong River in the shape of a magnolia blossom. The stadium has hosted a number of notable events, including the largest pay-per-view event for professional wrestling (in 1995). But by far the biggest series of events are the annual Mass Games. The size of the stadium is borderline unfathomable. See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network: Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011