Korea Outdoor Leisure and Sports Industry Exhibition

The Korea Outdoor Leisure Sports Industry Exhibition (GOCAF), driven by the rapid growth of South Korea’s camping sector, has become the country’s leading trade show for outdoor leisure and sports. Since 2013, GOCAF has served as the premier platform for professional buyers and new clients to explore the Korean outdoor sports market.

At the most recent edition of the Korea Outdoor Leisure Sports Industry Exhibition (GOCAF), the total exhibition space reached 26,000 square meters, with 430 exhibiting companies hailing from China, Japan, India, Thailand, Taiwan, Russia, Italy, Singapore, Germany, the United States, Poland, and other countries. The event attracted approximately 30,000 visitors.

South Korea is the most mature market for outdoor sports and related products in Asia, where activities such as mountaineering, skiing, hiking, and camping have achieved widespread popularity. Renowned outdoor brands like BLACK YAK, KOLON, and TrekSta are all headquartered in South Korea, while others—including Mont-Bell, Lafuma, and Berghaus—are distributed through Korean agents. In the outdoor apparel and accessories segment, South Korea ranks among the largest markets globally, second only to the United States in terms of GORE‑TEX penetration. (Copyright of this content belongs to Juzhan; redistribution without permission is prohibited.)

The Korea Outdoor Leisure Sports Industry Exhibition (GOCAF) has firmly established itself as the most important specialized trade show within South Korea’s sporting goods industry. With its international profile steadily rising, it provides an exceptional platform for unveiling new products, showcasing cutting-edge technologies, and cultivating new business opportunities.

Korea Outdoor Leisure and Sports Industry Exhibition tickets are e-tickets. Domestic and international visitors must complete online pre-registration with real-name passport verification. After purchase, the organizer verifies visitor identity. Visitors who do not meet entry requirements may need to submit additional documents. Once approved, you will receive email confirmation or a QR code. On site, present your original passport and confirmation letter to collect a paper badge, or scan the QR code to enter.

The Value of Exhibiting at the Korea Outdoor Show (GOCAF)

• Korea’s Largest and Most Influential Trade Fair for the Outdoor and Sports Industries: The Korea Outdoor & Leisure Sports Industry Exhibition (GOCAF), co-organized by the Korea Sports Industry Association, the City of Busan, and other authoritative bodies, is Korea’s largest and longest-running specialized trade show for the outdoor and sports sectors. Covering the entire industry chain—including outdoor gear, camping supplies, sports equipment, water sports, fitness machinery, and athletic apparel—the event is widely recognized as a leading indicator of trends in Korea’s outdoor leisure market and a key commercial platform for the East Asian outdoor industry.
• A One‑Stop Procurement Platform Covering the Entire Industry Chain: The exhibition features a comprehensive range of products, from camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, stoves, outdoor furniture, etc.) and mountaineering gear (backpacks, trekking poles, headlamps, functional apparel, etc.) to water sports gear (paddleboards, kayaks, diving equipment, etc.), fitness machines (treadmills, strength‑training equipment, smart fitness devices, etc.), sportswear, cycling accessories, fishing supplies, and outdoor electronics. Whether targeting professional outdoor enthusiasts or casual campers, family fitness aficionados or competitive athletes, exhibitors can engage in end‑to‑end business interactions—product showcasing, brand exposure, and B2B negotiations—all under one roof.
• Precise Access to Core Buyers in the Korean and East Asian Outdoor Markets: With the Korean outdoor market exceeding KRW 5 trillion, camping, hiking, and water sports represent the most dynamic segments. The show attracts professional buyers from across Korea as well as from Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and other regions, including procurement representatives of outdoor brands, buyers from major retail chains, e‑commerce platform executives, distributors, and club operators. Exhibitors gain direct access to core customer groups with genuine purchasing intent, enabling efficient order conversion and market expansion.
• Unique Value for Chinese Enterprises: A Strategic Engine for Expanding into the Korean Market: Korea is a vital export market for Chinese outdoor products. Leveraging their cost‑effectiveness and rapid product‑iteration capabilities, Chinese brands have already secured significant market shares in categories such as camping gear and outdoor furniture. GOCAF serves as the preferred platform for Chinese companies seeking to enter the Korean market, connect with local distributors, and gain insights into consumer trends. The “Import‑Export Business Matching Sessions” held during the show provide invaluable opportunities for face‑to‑face discussions with mainstream Korean buyers. Additionally, Chinese exhibitors can capitalize on Busan’s strategic location as a Northeast Asian logistics hub to extend their reach into Japan and Southeast Asia.
• Unique Value for Local Korean Brands: A Central Showcase for New Product Launches and Brand Upgrades: GOCAF is a critical platform for Korean outdoor brands to unveil their latest offerings and announce annual strategies. Established Korean names such as Kolon Sports, Blaik, K2 Korea, and KOVEA regularly use GOCAF as their annual debut stage. Through participation, exhibitors can better understand Korean consumers’ preferences regarding design, quality, environmental sustainability, and other factors, while staying attuned to emerging product trends like lightweight construction, multi‑functionality, and eco‑friendly solutions.
• A Vanguard for Technological Innovation and Industry Trends: Smart outdoor gear, eco‑friendly materials, and multifunctional camping products are among the highlights at the show. Outdoor equipment featuring GPS tracking, solar charging, and intelligent temperature control has drawn considerable attention, while environmentally sustainable products made from recycled or biodegradable materials are increasingly favored by consumers. Exhibitors can leverage this platform to gain insights into global trends toward “smart, green, and lightweight” outdoor solutions.
• Busan’s Strategic Location and Industrial Advantages: As South Korea’s second-largest city and its largest port, Busan also serves as a crucial logistics hub in Northeast Asia. Benefiting from the convenient transportation networks connecting Busan Gimhae International Airport and Busan Port, GOCAF offers exhibitors a strategic base that facilitates outreach across the Korean Peninsula and into Japan, China, and Russia’s Far East. Coordinated with concurrent events such as the Busan International Tourism Expo, the show amplifies synergies between business matchmaking and brand exposure.

Notable exhibitors

• Well-known domestic Korean brands: KOLON Sports, Black Yak, K2 Korea, KOVEA, Black Diamond (Korean distributor), Scarpa (Korean distributor), Gregory (Korean distributor), Helinox, Claymore, Snowline, Staresso, The North Face Korea, Eider Korea, Montbell Korea, Millet Korea, Lowe Alpine Korea, Cerro Torre, Black Yak, Marmot Korea
• Internationally renowned brands: Black Diamond, Scarpa, Gregory, MSR, Arc’teryx, Patagonia, The North Face, Columbia, Mammut, Mountain Equipment, Firefly, Salomon, Garmin, SunTour, GoPro
• Chinese camping and outdoor brands: MOGOUDI, Naturehike, Explorer, Quechua, Huofeng, Skywalk, Pathfinder, Camel, Primitive, Osokka, Free Spirit, Sanfeng, Jingxing, Shan Zhi Quan, Brothers Jiedeng
• Fitness equipment brands: Treadmill Korea, DRAX, XEXR, InBody
• Water sports brands: Mystic, Starboard, Naish, BIC Sport, Jobe
• Bicycles and cycling gear: Giant Korea, Merida Korea, Trek, Lightning, XDS, Decathlon