FEB 18 UPDATE: We've been told by our sources in North Korea that the Mass Games is scheduled to take place this year to coincide with the 75th Anniversaries in August and October.

North Korea Mass Games Factfile -

What: Mass Games gymnastics performance in North Korea
Venue: Rungrado May Day Stadium
Location: Pyongyang, North Korea
Date: Arirang Mass Games 2002 - 2013, Glorious Country Mass Games 2018, People's Country 2019
Next Date: Summer 2020
Ticket Price: 100 - 800 EUR (Mass Games 2019)

The North Korean Mass Games (집단체조 | 集團體操) is an enormous synchronized gymnastic and dance performance, primarily held in Pyongyang’s Rungrado May Day Stadium. As the biggest stadium in the world, it's a very fitting location to house the world's largest gymnastic performance - as titled by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007.

Over the decade, this distinctly North Korean art form has evolved to larger and more extravagant levels.
From 2002-2013, the performance was known as the ‘Arirang’ Mass Games (아리랑축제 | 阿里郎祝祭), and in 2018 the mass games returned as ‘The Glorious Country’ (빛나는 조국 예술공연 | 光輝的祖國藝術公演).

Mass Games 2019:
The name for the Mass Games 2019 has been confirmed: 'People's Country' (인민의 나라).

Mass Games 2020:

We've been told by our sources in North Korea that the Mass Games is scheduled to take place this year to coincide with the 75th Anniversaries of Liberation Day and Party Foundation Day in August and October.

Check out our Liberation Day and Party Foundation Day tours for 2020!

What are the Mass Games?

The Mass Games is a 90-minute performance of dancing, gymnastics, acrobatics, singing, and other dramatic performances.
It features the infamous 'largest picture in the world’. This is a giant mosaic in the background made up of individual students holding up a book to create a gigantic scene when the student turns the page of the book.

The Mass Games put emphasis on group dynamics rather than the individual and play an important role socialist ideology.

North Korea Mass Games History

Mass Games held in the Rungrado May Day Stadium from 2002 - 2013 were known as Arirang Mass Games. These were held annually (with the exception of 2006). Before this, Mass Games were held in Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang.

Mass Games were also held in different countries over the years, including in Guyana, Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, and Japan.
The only place you can experience the Mass Games today is in North Korea.

Find out more about the history of the North Korea Mass Games.

Arirang Mass Games

Arirang Mass Games: 아리랑 축제 2002 - 2013

The Arirang Mass Games were first held in the Rungrado May Day Stadium from 2002 - 2013 (excluding 2006).

The name ‘Arirang’ refers to the popular Korean folk story about a couple who were torn apart by an evil landlord. Here, this can be interpreted to represent the division of Korea to North and South. ‘Arirang’ is also the name of a famous Korean song, popular both in the North and South. As part of the first (and so far only ever) Western band to play in Pyongyang, Laibach performed the song Arirang to a North Korean audience in Pyongyang in 2015.

The Glorious Country Mass Games

The Glorious Country Mass Games: 빛나는 조국 예술공연 2018

After 5 years of absence, the North Korea Mass Games made a come-back in 2018 under the new title 'The Glorious Country' (빛나는 조국 예술공연 | 光輝的祖國藝術公演).

These Mass Games had all the glory of the previous Arirang Mass Games with over 100,000 participants all being cheered on by a crowd of as even more, but definitely pumped up to a Mass Games Recharged. Think fire, 4D effect moving pictures and futuristic drone displays.

Despite the new features, the Glorious Country Mass Games still retained the main features that made the Arirang Games unique. Thousands of participants moving in perfect harmony to tell key aspects of Korea’s history and culture. And, of course, the infamous backdrop moving picture - actually made up of thousands of small cards, behind which children skilfully work behind changing the colour of the cards in unison to create the illusion that the picture is moving.

One notable factor of the Glorious Country Mass Games 2018 was the strong theme of international relations and North and South Korea reunification. The footage of Marshal Kim Jong Un and Moon Jae In meeting and shaking hands at the Demilitarized Zone for the first time was also shown on a big screen in the background, highlighting Korea’s ongoing desire for reunification.

People's Country Mass Games (2019)

The North Korea Mass Games 2019 performance will be held from June - October 2019. It is not yet confirmed what exact performances will take place, but 2019's Mass Games will include all the mindblowing and spectacular acts and performances as it always has done - including some new performances just for 2019.

For more information on the Mass Games 2019 head to our Mass Games 2019 Information page.
Click here to book a North Korea Mass Games 2019 tour.

How Does North Korea Prepare for the Mass Games?

Producing the largest gymnastics performance is no small feat. Participants are usually university students and high-school students. Each student will be allocated to a certain section of the Mass Games Performance. Students spend hours every day practising during the summer months before the Mass Games take place (usually September time).

You can see various groups of students practising throughout Pyongyang in the build-up to the Mass Games. This includes various popular spots such as Kim Il Sung Square and near the Arch of Triumph.

The Mass Games and Koryo Tours

Here at Koryo Tours we have a special relationship with the Mass Games. In 2003, Koryo founder Nicholas Bonner was granted unprecedented access to to produce the documentary A State of Mind (2004) which follows the preparation of two schoolgirl’s leading up to the event.

Ever since, we have followed the Mass Games closely and arranged for tens of thousands of foreign visitors to see the event. Here are some of our in-depth posts on the Mass Games:

Koryo Tours’ A State of Mind and the Mass Games

The Mass Games and Pyongyang’s May Day Stadium

A Short History of Mass Gymnastics

Mass Gymnastics in the DPRK

Here's a short teaser from Koryo Tours of the North Korea Mass Games 2018:

And for a unique view of the games in miniature, check out "The Mind Blowing Mass Games", a Little Big World video by SpoonFilm.

How can I see the North Korean Mass Games 2019?

To see the North Korea Mass Games 2019, sign up to one of our North Korea Mass Games tours.
These extend over the course of the event which usually lasts from summer to early autumn. The event takes place in the evening and tickets are purchased in-country from the event organizers via our local Koryo Tour travel company partners.

After booking your tour with Koryo Tours, you can then choose on your seating class.
The price of the ticket for the Mass Games will depend on which seating class you choose. There are various categories ranging from normal seating class right up to VIP class.

Alternatively, you can book a North Korea custom independent tour with Koryo Tours during the Mass Games for an extra special, tailor-made experience.

Subscribe to our newsletter and check our website to receive up-to-date mass games information and tours to follow.

If you have any questions regarding our tours to North Korea or attending the North Korea Mass Games 2020, don't hesitate to contact us or check out our North Korea Mass Games FAQ page.