Busan to Host 2028 World Championship of Magic

Busan, South Korea — Busan has been officially selected to host the 2028 World Championship of Magic, following a decisive vote at the General Assembly of the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques (FISM), held on July 15 in Turin, Italy. Out of 411 votes cast by delegates from 52 countries, Busan received 235, defeating Quebec, Canada, which garnered 176.

This marks Busan’s second time hosting the championship, after its debut in 2018. The result reflects years of sustained effort by the city and the Busan International Magic Festival, which together built a credible case rooted in event experience, infrastructure readiness, and international outreach. FISM board members had previously visited Busan, evaluating major venues such as BEXCO and the Busan Cinema Center, and reviewing plans for performance logistics, accessibility, and hospitality.

The 2028 event is scheduled to run from July 17 to 26. It is expected to bring more than 3,000 magicians and officials from over 50 countries, with an anticipated spectator count exceeding 200,000. The core of the championship will include stage and close-up competitions, but the city also plans to expand programming across public spaces. According to the official announcement, events will feature open-air performances on Haeundae Beach, street busking, international lectures, and citizen participation programs.

A large-scale “Magic Market” is also being organized — a trade expo for magic-related tools, props, and publications, where both professionals and the public can explore the broader world of illusion. Educational content, including seminars and workshops led by prominent magicians, will be offered throughout the ten-day period.

Busan previously hosted the 27th World Championship of Magic in 2018. That edition attracted 2,199 participants from 52 countries and more than 190,000 attendees overall. A study conducted afterward by the Catholic University of Busan estimated an economic impact of approximately 42 billion KRW. The city hopes to build on that success in 2028, further positioning itself as a cultural destination with long-term appeal.

In an official statement, Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon welcomed the outcome, calling it the result of the city’s ongoing investment in cultural identity through performance and international events. He emphasized that Busan would provide active support to ensure the success of the upcoming championship and noted its potential to strengthen the magic industry’s global profile while revitalizing the local economy.

Looking ahead, the challenge will lie in delivering a large-scale event that operates smoothly across multiple venues, languages, and audience types. Organizers will also need to consider how to translate short-term excitement into sustainable cultural value — a question that continues to follow major international events around the world.

With less than three years to go, preparations are now set to accelerate. For Busan, it’s not just about staging another event, but about reinforcing its place on the global cultural map — one carefully planned performance at a time.