2026 K League 1
Football season in South Korea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 K League 1, also known as the Hana Bank K League 1 for sponsorship reasons, is the ongoing 44th season of the top division of professional football in South Korea, and the thirteen season of the K League 1. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors is the defending champion.[1] Gangwon FC will play all their own home matches at Gangneung Stadium, Gangneung only.
| Season | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 28 February – 6 December 2026 |
| Country | South Korea |
| Teams | 12 |
| Matches | 66 |
| Goals | 157 (2.38 per match) |
| Top goalscorer |  Stefan Mugoša (Incheon United)(7 goals) |
| Biggest home win | FC Seoul 5-0 Gwangju (22 March) |
| Biggest away win | Gwangju 0-5 Daejeon Hana Citizen (2 May) |
| Longest winning run | 6 Seoul |
| Longest unbeaten run | 7 Seoul |
| Longest winless run | 9 Gimcheon |
| Longest losing run | 7 Gwangju |
| Highest attendance | 34,068 FC Seoul 1-0 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (11 April) |
| Lowest attendance | 1,044 Gimcheon Sangmu 1-1 Gwangju (17 March) |
| Total attendance | 601,808 |
| Average attendance | 9,118 |
← 2025 2027 →
All statistics correct as of 2 May 2026. | |
Rule changes
The following rules were newly introduced for the 2026 season.[2]
- Abolish the quota on the number of foreign players a club may register but maximum of five foreign players will be permitted on the pitch or in the matchday squad.
- Foreign goalkeepers can be registered as ban lifted after 26 years.
- Clubs will now have five substitutions and the U22 mandatory appearance rule is lifted. However, the 20-man matchday squad still requires a minimum of two U22 players. Missing this threshold results in a reduced squad size (19 players for one U22, 18 for none).
- The affiliation agreement between the K League, the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps (Sangmu), and Gimcheon City expires at the end of 2026. As a result, if either Gimcheon establishes a new citizen-owned club or the Armed Forces Athletic Corps moves and forms a new K League club in a different city, both new clubs will enter the K League 2 competition starting in 2027.
- Starting with the 2027 season, K League 1 will feature 14 clubs. As a result, 2026 K League 2's top two teams and the winner of the final of promotion play-offs of K League 2 will be automatically promoted to 2027 K League 1. The losing finalists of promotion play-offs of K League 2 may also be promoted if they win the K League 1 relegation play-offs, which can only be held if Gimcheon Sangmu doesn't finish the season last at the table.
Teams
Team changes
Bucheon FC 1995 were promoted from the K League 2 for the first time in the club's history,[3][4] while Incheon United was promoted immediately after relegation in 2024.
Bucheon return to top tier since 1996 as Bucheon Yukong and 1997 as Bucheon SK before Yukong Elephants until 1995, when relocate to Jeju and change name to Jeju United from 2006 until 2024, change again to Jeju SK from 2025 onwards.
Suwon FC and Daegu FC were relegated to the K League 2 after five and ten years in top tier.[5][6]
 Promoted from K League 2 |
 Relegated to K League 2 |
|---|---|
Locations
The following twelve clubs are competing in the 2025 K League 1.[7]
| Team | City/Province | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| FC Anyang | Anyang | Anyang |
| Bucheon FC 1995 | Bucheon | Bucheon |
| Daejeon Hana Citizen | Daejeon | Daejeon |
| Gangwon FC | Gangwon | Gangwon |
| Gimcheon Sangmu | Gimcheon | Gimcheon |
| Gwangju FC | Gwangju | Gwangju |
| Incheon United | Incheon | Incheon |
| Jeju SK | Jeju | Jeju |
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | Jeonbuk | Jeonbuk |
| Pohang Steelers | Pohang | Pohang |
| FC Seoul | Seoul | Seoul |
| Ulsan HD | Ulsan | Ulsan |
|
Locations of the 2026 K League 1 teams in the Seoul Capital Area |
Stadiums
| FC Anyang | Bucheon FC 1995 | Daejeon Hana Citizen | Gangwon FC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anyang Stadium | Bucheon Stadium | Daejeon World Cup Stadium | Gangneung Stadium |
| Capacity: 17,143 | Capacity: 34,456 | Capacity: 40,903 | Capacity: 22,333 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Gimcheon Sangmu | Gwangju FC | Incheon United | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
| Gimcheon Stadium | Gwangju World Cup Stadium | Incheon Football Stadium | Jeonju World Cup Stadium |
| Capacity: 25,000 | Capacity: 40,245 | Capacity: 20,891 | Capacity: 42,477 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Jeju SK | Pohang Steelers | FC Seoul | Ulsan HD |
| Jeju World Cup Stadium | Pohang Steel Yard | Seoul World Cup Stadium | Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium |
| Capacity: 29,791 | Capacity: 17,443 | Capacity: 66,704 | Capacity: 44,102 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Personnel and sponsoring
| Team | Manager | Kit manufacturer | Main sponsor | Other sponsor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC Anyang |  Ryu Byeong-hoon |
V-EXX | Harrington Place (Apartment brand) | List
|
| Bucheon FC 1995 | Lee Young-min |
Kelme | Bucheon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine | List
|
| Daejeon Hana Citizen | Hwang Sun-hong |
Goal Studio | Hana Bank | List
|
| Gangwon FC | Chung Kyung-ho |
Applerind | High1 Resort | List
|
| Gimcheon Sangmu | Ju Seung-jin |
Kelme | Happy Gimcheon | List
|
| Gwangju FC | Lee Jung-kyu |
Goal Studio | Kwangju Bank | List
|
| Incheon United | Yoon Jong-hwan |
Macron | IFEZ | List
|
| Jeju SK |  Sergio Costa |
V-EXX | SK Energy | List
|
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | Chung Jung-yong |
Adidas | NEXO | List
|
| Pohang Steelers | Park Tae-ha |
Puma | POSCO | |
| FC Seoul | Kim Gi-dong |
Pro-Specs | Xi (home) GS Caltex (away) |
List
|
| Ulsan HD | Kim Hyun-seok |
Adidas | HD Hyundai | List
|
Managerial changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Table | Replaced by | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeju SK | Kim Jung-soo (Interim) |
End of Interim | 1 December 2025 | Pre-season | Sergio Costa [8] |
24 December 2025 |
| Ulsan HD | Roh Sang-rae (Interim) |
Kim Hyun-seok [9] | ||||
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |  Gus Poyet [10] |
Resigned | 8 December 2025 | Chung Jung-yong [11] | ||
| Gwangju FC | Lee Jung-hyo [12] |
Mutual agreement | 21 December 2025 | Lee Jung-kyu [13] | ||
| Gimcheon Sangmu | Chung Jung-yong [14] |
24 December 2025 | Ju Seung-jin [15] |
31 December 2025 | ||
Foreign players
Each team may have up to six foreign players registered, but may only field up to five at any given time.[16] As a military-owned team, Gimcheon Sangmu are not allowed to sign any foreign players.
A North Korean player is considered to be a domestic player under South Korean nationality law. As of 2025, K League has a homegrown system under which players of foreign nationality who have grown up in Korea are considered to be domestic players when registering as new players.
Players in bold were registered during the mid-season transfer window. Players in italics left their respective clubs during the mid-season transfer window.
- Left their respective clubs during the mid-season transfer window.
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation[a] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FC Seoul | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 9 | +14 | 25 | Qualification for Champions League Elite league stage |
| 2 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 11 | +8 | 21 | |
| 3 | Ulsan HD | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 19 | 17 | +2 | 20 | |
| 4 | Gangwon FC | 12 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 15 | 10 | +5 | 17 | Qualification for Champions League Elite play-off round |
| 5 | Daejeon Hana Citizen | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 10 | +6 | 16 | |
| 6 | Pohang Steelers | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 10 | −1 | 16 | |
| 7 | Incheon United | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 16 | −2 | 15 | |
| 8 | Jeju SK | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 11 | −2 | 15 | |
| 9 | FC Anyang | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 12 | +2 | 14 | |
| 10 | Gimcheon Sangmu[b] (R) | 12 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 15 | −2 | 13 | Relegation to K League 2 |
| 11 | Bucheon FC 1995 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 14 | −5 | 13 | |
| 12 | Gwangju FC | 12 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 32 | −25 | 6 | Qualification for relegation play-offs except Gimcheon Sangmu |
Updated to match(es) played on 5 May 2026 (5 of 6 matches finished). Source: Soccerway K League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goals scored; 3) Goal difference; 4) Wins; 5) Head-to-head points
(R) Relegated
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goals scored; 3) Goal difference; 4) Wins; 5) Head-to-head points
(R) Relegated
Notes:
- Teams played each other three times (33 matches), before the league was split into two groups, the top six and the bottom six.
- Military-owned team Gimcheon Sangmu cannot qualify for AFC competitions. Gimcheon Sangmu will be relegated to K League 2 2027 season regardless of their own final place.
Positions by matchday
Leaders, qualification for Champions League Elite league stage
Qualification for Champions League Elite play-off round
Qualification for Champions League Two group stage
Qualification for relegation play-offs
Relegation to K League 2
Round 1–33
Updated to match(es) played on 2 May 2026. Source: K League
Results
Matches 1–22
Teams will play each other twice, once at home, once away.
Matchday 1 (28 February, 1–2 March) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Matchday 2 (7–8, 28 March, 15 April) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Matchday 3 (14–15 March) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Matchday 4 (17–18 March) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Matchday 5 (21–22 March) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Matchday 6 (4–5 April) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Matchday 7 (11–12 April) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Matchday 8 (18–19 April) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Matchday 9 (21–22 April) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Matchday 10 (25–26 April) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Matchday 11 (2 May) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Matchday 12 (5 May) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Matchday 13 (9–10 May) |
|---|
Matchday 14 (12–13 May) |
|---|
Matchday 15 (16–17 May) |
|---|
Matches 23–33
Teams will play each other once, either at home or away.
Matches 34–38
Teams will play each other once, either at home or away.
Final A
Final B
Relegation play-off
The twelfth-placed team, unless being Gimcheon Sangmu, will play against the loser of the final of the promotion play-offs of the K League 2 in the relegation play-offs.
| Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loser of the final of the promotion play-offs of K League 2 | agg. | 12th place team of K League 1(except Gimcheon Sangmu) | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
| v | ||
|---|---|---|
| v | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics
Top goalscorers
| Rank | Player[18] | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stefan Mugoša |
Incheon United | 7 |
| 2 |  Yago Cariello |
Ulsan HD | 6 |
| Lee Ho-jae |
Pohang Steelers | ||
| 4 | Marcão |
Ulsan HD | 5 |
 Patryk Klimala |
FC Seoul | ||
 Abdallah Hleihel |
Gangwon FC | ||
| 7 | Jefferson Galego |
Bucheon FC 1995 | 4 |
| Go Jae-hyeon |
Gimcheon Sangmu | ||
| Kim Dae-won |
Gangwon FC | ||
| 10 | 10 players | 3 | |
Top assist providers
| Rank | Player[18] | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lee Dong-gyeong |
Ulsan HD | 4 |
| 2 | Matheus Oliveira |
FC Anyang | 3 |
| Lee Kyu-seong |
Ulsan HD | ||
| Lee Jung-taek |
Gimcheon Sangmu | ||
| 5 | 20 players | 2 | |
Awards
Weekly awards
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Monthly awards
| Month | Player of the Month | Young Player of the Month | Goal of the Month | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Club | Player | Club | Player | Club | |
| February–March | Stefan Mugoša |
Incheon | Choi Seok-hyeon |
Ulsan | Lee Dong-jun |
Jeonbuk |
| April | ||||||
| May | ||||||
| July | ||||||
| August | ||||||
| September | ||||||
| October | ||||||
| November | ||||||
| Month | Manager of the Month | Save of the Month | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Club | Div. | Player | Club | |
| February–March | Kim Gi-dong |
Seoul | 1 | Hwang In-jae |
Pohang |
| April | Kim Gi-dong |
Seoul | 1 | ||
| May | |||||
| July | |||||
| August | |||||
| September | |||||
| October | |||||
| November | |||||
Annual awards
| Position | Best XI | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | ||||
| Defenders | ||||
| Midfielders | ||||
| Forwards | ||||
Attendance
Attendants who entered with free ticket are not counted.
See also
- 2026 in South Korean football
- 2026–27 Korea Cup
- 2026 K League 2
- 2026 K3 League
- 2026 K4 League