Opening ceremony of the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, marking the start of the continent's largest multi-sport event of 2014.
Key Facts
- Date
- 19 September 2014
- Start time
- 7:18 pm Korea Standard Time (UTC+9)
- End time
- 10:20 pm Korea Standard Time
- Venue
- Incheon Asiad Main Stadium
- Directors
- Im Kwon-taek and Jang Jin
- Orchestra
- Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
South Korea was awarded hosting rights for the 17th Asian Games, prompting the construction of the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium and extensive preparations for an opening ceremony befitting a continental multi-sport competition.
On 19 September 2014, the opening ceremony was held at the newly built Incheon Asiad Main Stadium from 7:18 pm to 10:20 pm KST. It was co-directed by acclaimed Korean filmmakers Im Kwon-taek and Jang Jin, hosted by Kim Seong-ju and Yun Su-yeong, and featured live musical accompaniment by the Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra.
The ceremony formally inaugurated the 2014 Asian Games, launching competition across dozens of sports for athletes from across Asia and drawing international attention to Incheon as a host city on the world stage.