Starting Saturday, the Korea Baseball Organization can push back first pitch by up to an hour at most stadiums and, in areas under a severe heat wave warning, cancel games outright, Yonhap reported August 1, 2026. As an immediate step under the new policy, two games in Busan and Changwon were canceled that evening.

What changed

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) says it will allow start times at all its stadiums, except Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, to be pushed back by up to an hour. The decision on whether to delay a given game is made through consultation between KBO's game operations committee and the clubs involved. Gocheok Sky Dome, Seoul's only domed stadium, is not covered by this delay option.

In regions under a severe heat wave warning, KBO says it will also actively consider delaying a game or canceling it altogether, rather than just pushing back the start time. This is on top of KBO's existing rule allowing games to be canceled or postponed for adverse weather, which already covers strong winds, extreme heat, fog, fine dust and yellow dust.

According to Yonhap's August 1, 2026 report, the new delay allowance takes effect starting Saturday.

Immediate impact

As an immediate step under the new policy, two games were canceled that evening, per the same report: Samsung Lions vs. Lotte Giants in Busan, and Kia Tigers vs. NC Dinos in Changwon. A severe heat wave warning had been issued for both cities the day before, with forecast temperatures above 37 C.

Who this affects

Anyone holding tickets to a KBO game at a stadium other than Gocheok Sky Dome can now see a start time pushed back by up to an hour if conditions warrant it. Anyone with tickets in a region under a severe heat wave warning should be aware their game could be delayed or canceled outright, as happened in Busan and Changwon.

This affects anyone holding a ticket to a KBO game starting Saturday, at any stadium other than Gocheok Sky Dome.

  • If your game is at a stadium other than Gocheok Sky Dome: the first pitch may be pushed back by up to an hour, a call made jointly by KBO's game operations committee and the clubs.
  • If your game is at Gocheok Sky Dome: this delay option does not apply there.
  • If your game is in a region under a severe heat wave warning: KBO says it will actively consider delaying the game further or canceling it outright, as happened with the Busan and Changwon games.
  • Because cancellations have already happened this way, check the game's status before heading to the stadium.