2026 SPOTV K-POP AWARDS KINTEX — Ended Sept 6, Red Carpet Timeline & Late-Night Routes Home
The 2026 SPOTV K-POP AWARDS (SKA) took place on September 6, 2026, at KINTEX Center 1 Halls 4–5. The announced red carpet and ceremony timeline, plus GTX-A and Juyeop Station routes home on a night that overlapped a stadium concert.
Jointly organized by premier sports & entertainment network SPOTV and global fandom platform BIGC, the 2026 SPOTV K-POP AWARDS (SKA) took place on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at KINTEX Exhibition Center 1, Halls 4 & 5, and has concluded. Rebranded from the former Circle Chart Music Awards into a global data-driven awards show, it was scheduled to run nearly 7 hours from the 15:00 red carpet to the 22:00 finish.
The final night of the Lim Young-woong Goyang Stadium concert was set to end around the same time nearby, so both crowds could hit the Daehwa area together. The GTX-A (16 min to Seoul Station) and Juyeop Station routes and last departures below apply to any late-finishing event at KINTEX.
2026 SPOTV K-POP AWARDS Basics & Timeline#
The day was split into an afternoon red carpet and the evening main awards, running until 22:00.
- Event Name: 2026 SPOTV K-POP AWARDS (SKA)
- Date & Time: Sunday, September 6, 2026, 17:00–22:00 (Red Carpet at 15:00)
- Venue: KINTEX Exhibition Center 1, Halls 4 & 5 (킨텍스 제1전시장 4·5홀)
- Hosts (MCs): Jang Sung-kyu, Tsuki (Billlie), Han Yu-jin
- Artist Lineup: KISS OF LIFE, Billlie, YENA (Choi Ye-na), xikers, 82MAJOR, POW, Jeon Yu-jin, RESCENE, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, MODYSSEY, cosmosy, and more.
- Official Website & Ticketing: SKA Official Space & KINTEX Official Calendar (seq=26050607)
- Live Broadcast: SPOTV PLUS (TV) and Daum Portal (exclusive digital live stream).
Announced Timeline#
| Time | Schedule | Details & Advice |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 | Ticket Exchange & ID Booths Open | Physical passport check for foreign buyers |
| 14:30 | Gate Open & Queue Alignment | Hall 4–5 concourse area |
| 15:00–16:30 | SKA 2026 Red Carpet Ceremony | Photo wall interviews & fan greetings |
| 16:30–17:00 | Seating Completion | Audience seated prior to ceremony start |
| 17:00–22:00 | Main Ceremony & Live Performances | Multi-stage award segments & collabs |
| 22:00 onward | Event Ends & Audience Dismissal | May overlap with the Goyang Stadium exit |
Sept 6: Three Events at Once, and the Daehwa Detours#
On Sunday, September 6, three large events ran in Goyang:
- Goyang Stadium: Lim Young-woong Concert [IM HERO - THE STADIUM 2] Day 3 final show (expected to end around 21:30–22:00).
- KINTEX Center 2, Hall 10: 39th Gungdi Pangpang Cat Festa final day (10:00–17:30).
- KINTEX Center 1, Halls 4–5: 2026 SPOTV K-POP AWARDS (ending at 22:00).
Routes Home at 22:00#
When the awards and a stadium show finish around the same time, the Daehwa area can get very crowded. Split by destination:
- Seoul-bound: Head for GTX-A KINTEX Station. It is about an 8-minute walk south from Center 1 to Exit 5, and about 16 minutes to Seoul Station without touching Daehwa.
- Line 3 (Jongno / Gangnam): Walk east to Juyeop Station (Line 3) instead of queuing at Daehwa.
- Skip the car: With several events letting out, KINTEX car parks can be slow to empty, so rail is more predictable.
How to Get to KINTEX Center 1: Transit Routes#
Summary of public transit options. Detailed schedules are available in Seoul Station to KINTEX.
| Starting Point | Recommended Route | Travel Time | Transfers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul Station | GTX-A to KINTEX Station → Exit 5 → 8 min walk | approx. 25 min (with walk) | 0 |
| Gimpo Airport | Seohae Line to Daegok → Transfer to GTX-A → KINTEX Station | approx. 40–45 min | 1 |
| Incheon Airport | AREX All-stop train to Seoul Station → GTX-A to KINTEX Station | approx. 85–90 min | 1 |
| Gangnam Station | Shinbundang Line to Sinsa → Line 3 to Juyeop Station → Walk | approx. 65 min | 1 |
- If landing at Gimpo Airport, check Gimpo Airport to KINTEX for easy transfer tips.
- Arriving from Incheon International Airport? Compare limousine buses and rail options in Incheon Airport to KINTEX.
Planning Your Arrival#
- Red Carpet Spectators: Under the announced schedule, you needed to swap your mobile reservation for a wristband before the 14:30 gate opening to get into the red carpet viewing area.
- Main Show Entry: Seating was scheduled from 16:30, with everyone seated before the 17:00 start.
Center 1 Amenities: Food, Lounges & Lockers#
- Lobby Cafes: Center 1 Concourse features a Starbucks in front of Hall 3 and a Twosome Place in front of Hall 4. Both offer air-conditioned seating.
- Dining Options: The B1 level of Center 1 houses Korean eateries, bibimbap spots, and a food court for quick dining before entry.
- Nearby Retail: Hyundai Department Store KINTEX branch and OneMount shopping complex are a 7-minute walk away, offering international cuisine and expansive lounges.
- Coin Lockers: Automated storage lockers are located in the Center 1 ground-floor concourse across from Hall 2 and adjacent to Hall 4.
- Fees: Small 1,000 KRW / Medium 2,000 KRW / Large 3,000 KRW (credit cards accepted).
- Storage is limited and can fill up early on major event days. For large suitcases, see the KINTEX Luggage Storage Guide.
Late-Night Routes Home (After 22:00)#
The awards were scheduled to end at 22:00. Timetable-based last departures:
1. GTX-A KINTEX Station (Recommended)#
- Last Train: The last train toward Seoul Station leaves at 24:42, every day of the week (per timetable).
- Why it works: About an 8-minute walk from the hall and about 16 minutes to Seoul Station, leaving plenty of margin for onward connections.
2. Subway Line 3 (via Juyeop Station)#
- Last Trains to Gangnam: On Saturdays and holidays, the last trains from Daehwa are 22:44 (to Dogok) and 22:34 (to Suseo), per timetable — tight after a 22:00 finish.
- If Daehwa’s gates are packed, walk to Juyeop Station and board there.
Essential Tips for International K-POP Fans#
- Carry Your Physical Passport: Digital photos or mobile screenshots are strictly rejected at the wristband exchange desk. Your passport name must match the ticketing name letter-for-letter.
- Cash for Transit Cards: Subway ticket kiosks and card reload machines do not accept foreign credit cards. Purchase a T-money card at an airport convenience store and load at least 20,000–30,000 KRW in physical cash bills.
- Global Streaming: The show was announced for live streaming via the BIGC platform and Daum Portal.
Related Guides#
- KINTEX Venue Hub & Overview
- Seoul Station to KINTEX Transit Guide
- Incheon Airport to KINTEX Guide
- Gimpo Airport to KINTEX Guide
- KINTEX Luggage & Coin Locker Guide
- Lim Young-woong Stadium Concert (Sept 4–6)
- Gungdi Pangpang Cat Festa at KINTEX Hall 10
Sources & Verification Date#
- Official Ceremony Announcements: Verified from the 2026 SPOTV K-POP AWARDS Space and SPOTV media briefings.
- Venue Data: Verified against KINTEX Official Events Schedule (seq=26050607).
- Last Departures: Based on GTX-A and Line 3 timetables.
FAQ
What time do the red carpet and main awards ceremony start?
The red carpet was scheduled for 15:00 in the Exhibition Center 1 special zone, with the main ceremony and live stages from 17:00 to 22:00 (approx. 5 hours).
How do I get to KINTEX Exhibition Center 1, Halls 4 and 5?
Take the GTX-A high-speed commuter rail to KINTEX Station, leave through Exit 5, and walk north along the pedestrian boulevard for about 8 minutes. Halls 4 and 5 are located on the right side of the Center 1 main concourse.
Why avoid Daehwa Station on that Sunday night?
The final Lim Young-woong show at nearby Goyang Stadium was expected to end around 21:30–22:00, the same time as the awards. When a stadium show lets out, crowds converge on Daehwa Station (Line 3) and reaching the platform can take more than 30 minutes, so GTX-A KINTEX Station or a walk to Juyeop Station is the better route back to Seoul.
What identification is required for international ticket collection?
International ticket holders who purchased through global platforms like BIGC must present their physical passport (original document, no photocopies or smartphone screenshots) alongside their digital voucher with QR code.
Transport and venue information was last verified on September 7, 2026. Please check official notices and opening hours before your visit.
This event has ended. The travel, waiting, and getting-home notes hold for any other show at the same venue.