{{short description|Association football league in South Korea}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{infobox football league | name = K League | logo = | pixels = 180px | caption = | country = South Korea | organiser = Korea Football Association<br />(1983–1986)<br />K League Federation<br />(1987–1988)<br />Korea Football Association<br />(1989–1994)<br />K League Federation<br />(1994–present) | confed = AFC | founded = 1983 | teams = 29 | divisions = K League 1<br />K League 2 | levels = 1–2 | pyramid = South Korean football league system | domest_cup = Korea Cup <br /> K League Super Cup | confed_cup = AFC Champions League Elite<br />AFC Champions League Two | champions = Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2025) | most_champs = Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors<br />(10 titles) | most_appearances = Kim Byung-ji (708){{efn-lg|name=rec|Includes statistics in the Korean League Cup and the K League Championship.}} | top_goalscorer = Lee Dong-gook (228){{efn-lg|name=rec}} | tv = JTBC Golf&Sports<br />Sky Sports (South Korea)<br />IB Sports | website = {{official URL}} | current = <br />2026 K League 1<br />2026 K League 2 }}
'''K League''' ({{Korean|hangul=K리그}}) is South Korea's professional football league. It includes the first division K League 1 and the second division K League 2.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2953950 |title=In search of Korea's disappearing Red Devils |publisher=Korea JoongAng Daily |date=2012-06-06 |access-date=2014-02-01 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331115545/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2953950 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=South Korean Teams Fight for Attention at Home |work=The New York Times |url=http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/09/south-korean-soccer-teams-fight-for-attention-at-home/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 |access-date=2014-02-02 |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615135708/https://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/09/south-korean-soccer-teams-fight-for-attention-at-home/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 |url-status=live }}</ref> Clubs competing in the K League have won a record total of twelve AFC Champions League titles, the top continental competition for Asian clubs.<ref>{{cite web |title=AFC Champions League winners: Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal have maximum titles - full roll of honour |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/afc-champions-league-acl-winners-list-football-club-teams |website=olympics.com|first=Utathya|last=Nag|date=6 May 2023|access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref>
== History == Until the 1970s, South Korean football operated two major football leagues, the National Semi-professional Football League and the National University Football League, but these were not professional leagues, and footballers could not focus solely on football. In 1979, however, the Korea Football Association (KFA) president Choi Soon-young planned to establish a professional football league,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.nhn?articleId=1979013100329208004&editNo=2&printCount=1&publishDate=1979-01-31&officeId=00032&pageNo=8&printNo=10256&publishType=00020 |script-title=ko:"崔蹴協회장 후원회는 法人등록 北韓·中共과도 교류" |language=ko |website=Naver |publisher=Kyunghyang Shinmun |date=31 January 1979 |access-date=28 November 2020 |archive-date=14 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214111318/https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1979013100329208004&editNo=2&printCount=1&publishDate=1979-01-31&officeId=00032&pageNo=8&printNo=10256&publishType=00020 |url-status=live }}</ref> and founded South Korea's first professional football club, Hallelujah FC, the following year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.nhn?articleId=1980041800239108001&editNo=1&printCount=1&publishDate=1980-04-18&officeId=00023&pageNo=8&printNo=18161&publishType=00010 |script-title=ko:韓國球界 「프로時代」올것인가 「할렐루야」蹴球團 10월 창단을 계기로 본 「難題」속의 期待‥‥그展望과문제점 |language=ko |website=Naver |publisher=The Chosun Ilbo |date=18 April 1980 |access-date=28 November 2020 |archive-date=14 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214111226/https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1980041800239108001&editNo=1&printCount=1&publishDate=1980-04-18&officeId=00023&pageNo=8&printNo=18161&publishType=00010 |url-status=live }}</ref> After the South Korean professional baseball league KBO League was founded in 1982, the KFA was aware of crisis about the popularity of football.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=139&aid=0001993153 |script-title=ko:[김덕기의 프로축구 10950] 슈퍼리그, 1983년 5월8일 팡파르 |language=ko |website=Naver |publisher=Sportalkorea |date=16 January 2013 |access-date=28 November 2020 |first=Deok-gi |last=Kim |archive-date=13 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513041211/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=139&aid=0001993153 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1983, it urgently founded the ''Korean Super League'' with two professional clubs (Hallelujah FC, Yukong Elephants) and three semi-professional clubs (POSCO Dolphins, Daewoo Royals, Kookmin Bank) to professionalize South Korean football. Then, the Super League accomplished its purpose after existing clubs were also converted into professional clubs (POSCO Atoms, Daewoo Royals) and new professional clubs joined the league. In its early years, it also used a promotion system by granting qualification to the semi-professional League winners. (Hanil Bank in 1984, Sangmu FC in 1985)
However, the number of spectators consistently decreased despite KFA's effort, and so the professional league, renamed as the ''Korean Professional Football League'', operated a home-and-away system to interest fans since 1987.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.nhn?articleId=1987022400329209001&editNo=2&printCount=1&publishDate=1987-02-24&officeId=00032&pageNo=9&printNo=12741&publishType=00020 |script-title=ko:프로蹴球 명예回復 선언 |language=ko |website=Naver |publisher=Kyunghyang Shinmun |date=24 February 1987 |access-date=28 November 2020 |archive-date=14 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214111223/https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1987022400329209001&editNo=2&printCount=1&publishDate=1987-02-24&officeId=00032&pageNo=9&printNo=12741&publishType=00020 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 30 July 1994, the Professional League Committee under KFA was independent of the association, and renamed as the "Korean Professional Football Federation". In 1996, the South Korean government and the Football Federation introduced a decentralization policy to proliferate the popularity of football nationally in preparation for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which they wanted to host. Several clubs located in the capital Seoul moved to other cities according to the new policy, but this was abolished after only three years and is regarded as a failed policy because it gave up the most populous city in South Korea. In 1998, the league was renamed again as current ''K League''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=015&aid=0003076649 |script-title=ko:서울 연고 이랜드프로축구단 출범…FC서울과 '투톱' |language=ko |website=Naver |publisher=The Korea Economic Daily |date=2 May 2014 |access-date=28 November 2020 |archive-date=18 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518101545/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=015&aid=0003076649 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The league adopted its current format by abolishing the K League Championship and the Korean League Cup after the 2011 season, and being split into two divisions in 2013. The first division's name was the ''K League Classic'', and the second division's name was the ''K League Challenge'' at the time. The fact that both the first and the second divisions had very similar names caused some degree of confusion and controversy.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.sportsseoul.com/read/soccer/1143741.htm |script-title=ko:위원석의 하프타임 'K리그'에 새로운 이름을 붙여주자 |publisher=Sports Seoul |date=19 February 2013 |language=ko |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211180244/http://news.sportsseoul.com/read/soccer/1143741.htm |archive-date=11 December 2013}}</ref> Beginning with the 2018 season, both divisions were renamed the ''K League 1'' and the ''K League 2'' respectively.
In February 2021, an OTT service for international markets called K League TV was officially launched.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jee-ho |first1=Yoo |title=K League launches new OTT service for international markets |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20210223009400315 |website=Yonhap News Agency |access-date=14 February 2024 |language=en |date=23 February 2021}}</ref>
== Structure == {{main|South Korean football league system}} Below K League 1 is the second-tier K League 2, and both form the K League as professional championships. Under them, there are two semi-professional leagues (K3 League and K4 League) and three amateur leagues (K5, K6 and K7 Leagues). At present, promotion and relegation exists within each of the three levels (professional, semi-professional, and amateur) but clubs from K3 and below cannot be promoted to the K League. However, the KFA has announced plans to combine the three promotion-relegation systems into one from 2027.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Paik |first=Ji-hwan |date=28 March 2024 |title=K League to unify promotion-relegation system across all 7 leagues |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-03-28/sports/football/K-League-to-unify-promotionrelegation-system-across-all-7-leagues/2013297 |access-date=19 April 2024 |work=Korea JoongAng Daily}}</ref>
Since 2021, K League 1 and K League 2 teams have been permitted to field their reserve teams in the K4 League.<ref>{{Cite web|title=K3·K4리그 대표자회의 개최...3월 7일 개막|url=https://www.kfa.or.kr/layer_popup/popup_live.php?act=news_tv_detail&idx=22225&div_code=news&check_url=bGF5ZXI=|access-date=27 February 2021|website=KFA|language=en|archive-date=9 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209002559/https://www.kfa.or.kr/layer_popup/popup_live.php?act=news_tv_detail&idx=22225&div_code=news&check_url=bGF5ZXI=|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Clubs == === Current clubs === ==== K League 1 ==== <noinclude>{{main|K League 1#Current clubs|l1 = Current K League 1 clubs}}</noinclude>
{{OSM Location map | coord = {{coord|37.5|126.8}} | zoom = 9 | float = right | nolabels = 1 | width = 250 | height = 250 | caption = Locations of the 2026 K League 1 teams in the Seoul metropolitan area | scalemark = 1
| shapeD = circle | shape-colorD = red | label-colorD = dark blue | shape-outlineD = white | label-sizeD = 10 | label-posD = left | mark-sizeD = 8
| label1 = {{bgcolor|white|FC Seoul}} | mark-coord1 = {{coord|37.568222 |126.897361}} | mark-title1 = Seoul World Cup Stadium | label-pos1 = right
| label2 = {{bgcolor|white|FC Anyang}} | mark-coord2 = {{coord|37.405304|126.94656}} | mark-title2 = Anyang Sports Complex
| label3 = {{bgcolor|white|Bucheon FC 1995}} | mark-coord3 = {{coord|37.50256|126.799135}} | mark-title3 = Bucheon Stadium | label-pos3 = right
| label4 = {{bgcolor|white|Incheon United}} | mark-coord4 = {{coord|37.4656|126.6435}} | mark-title4 = Incheon Football Stadium | label-pos4 = bottom }} {{Location map+ |South Korea|width=500|float=none|caption=Location of the 2026 K League 1 teams|places= {{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=36.377768 |long=127.411357 |label_size=80|label={{nowrap|Daejeon Hana Citizen}}|position=left}} {{location map~ |South Korea |mark=Yellow pog.svg |lat=37.8551677 |long=127.690928 |label_size=80|label={{nowrap|Gangwon FC{{efn|name=Gangwon|Gangwon FC has two home stadiums, Gangneung Stadium and Chuncheon Songam Sports Town.}}}}|position=left}} {{location map~ |South Korea |mark=Yellow pog.svg |lat=37.77366 |long=128.897503 |label_size=80|label={{nowrap|Gangwon FC{{efn|name=Gangwon}}}}|position=right}} {{location map~ |South Korea |lat=36.133333 |long=128.1 |label_size=80|label={{nowrap|Gimcheon Sangmu}}|position=left}} {{location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.133667 |long=126.874861 |label_size=80|label=Gwangju FC|position=left}} {{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.4656 |long=126.6435 |label_size=80|label={{nowrap|Incheon United}}|position=left}} {{location map~ |South Korea |lat=33.285758 |long=126.549156 |label_size=80|label=Jeju SK|position=right}} {{location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.868111 |long=127.064444 |label_size=80|label={{nowrap|Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors}}|position=left}} {{location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.997781 |long=129.384242 |label_size=80|label={{nowrap|Pohang Steelers}}|position=right}} {{location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.568222 |long=126.897361 |label_size=80|label=FC Seoul|position=right}} {{location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.5352695|long=129.2594597 |label_size=80|label=Ulsan HD|position=right}} }} {{notelist}}
==== K League 2 ==== <noinclude>{{main|K League 2#Current clubs|l1 = Current K League 2 clubs}}</noinclude>
{{OSM Location map | coord = {{coord|37.3|126.9}} | zoom = 9 | float = right | nolabels = 1 | width = 250 | height = 250 | caption = Locations of the 2026 K League 2 teams in the Seoul metropolitan area | scalemark = 1
| shapeD = circle | shape-colorD = red | label-colorD = dark blue | shape-outlineD = white | label-sizeD = 10 | label-posD = left | mark-sizeD = 8
| label1 = {{bgcolor|white|Seoul E-Land}} | mark-coord1 = {{coord|37.530478|126.883139}} | mark-title1 = Mokdong Stadium | label-pos1 = right
| label2 = {{bgcolor|white|Ansan Greeners}} | mark-coord2 = {{coord|37.319364|126.818619}} | mark-title2 = Ansan Wa~ Stadium
| label3 = {{bgcolor|white|Seongnam FC}} | mark-coord3 = {{coord|37.410153|127.121322}} | mark-title3 = Tancheon Sports Complex
| label4 = {{bgcolor|white|Suwon Samsung Bluewings}} | labela4 = | mark-coord4 = {{coord|37.286278|127.036889}} | mark-title4 = Suwon World Cup Stadium | label-pos4 = bottom
| label5 = {{bgcolor|white|Suwon FC}} | mark-coord5 = {{coord|37.297647 |127.01133}} | mark-title5 = Suwon Sports Complex
| label6 = {{bgcolor|white|Hwaseong FC}} | mark-coord6 = {{coord|37.137603|126.924834}} | mark-title6 = Hwaseong Sports Town }}
{{Location map+ |South Korea |width=500 |float=none |caption=Location of the 2026 K League 2 teams|places= {{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.183947 |long=129.093254 |label_size=80|label=Busan IPark|position=right}} {{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=36.8215495|long=127.1448685|label_size=80|label={{nowrap|Cheonan City}}|position=right}} {{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=36.637902 |long=127.472354 |label_size=80|label={{nowrap|Chungbuk Cheongju}}|position=right}} {{location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.834236 |long=128.534210 |label_size=80|label=Daegu FC|position=right}} {{location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.234167 |long=128.881111 |label_size=80|label={{nowrap|Gimhae FC 2008}}|position=top}} {{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.6176112|long=126.7174993|label_size=80|label=Gimpo FC|position=left}} {{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.233947 |long=128.664751 |label_size=80|label={{nowrap|Gyeongnam FC}}|position=left}} {{location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.866667 |long=126.8 |label_size=80|label=Paju Frontier|position=left}} {{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.56829 |long=126.897197 |label_size=80|label={{nowrap|Seoul E-Land}}|position=right}} {{location map~ |South Korea |lat=34.933056 |long=127.727500 |label_size=80|label={{nowrap|Jeonnam Dragons}}|position=left}} {{location map~ |South Korea |lat=36.783333 |long=126.983333 |label_size=80|label={{nowrap|Chungnam Asan}}|position=left}} {{location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.233333 |long=127.2 |label_size=80|label=Yongin FC |position=right}} }}
=== All-time clubs === As of 2026, there have been a total of 40 member clubs in the history of the K League – those clubs are listed below with their current names (where applicable):
* K League's principle of official statistics is that final club succeeds to predecessor club's history and records. * Clubs in ''italics'' no longer exist.
{| class="wikitable" font-size:95%;" |- ! No. ! Club ! Owner(s) |- | 1 | POSCO Dolphins (1983–1984)<br>POSCO Atoms (1985–1994)<br />Pohang Atoms (1995–1996)<br />'''Pohang Steelers''' (1997–present) | POSCO |- | 2 | ''Hallelujah FC'' (1983–1985) | {{ill|Shindongah Group|ko|신동아그룹}} |- | 3 | Yukong Elephants (1983–1995)<br />Bucheon Yukong (1996–1997)<br />Bucheon SK (1997–2005)<br />Jeju United (2006–2024)<br />'''Jeju SK''' (2025–present) | SK Energy |- | 4 | Daewoo Royals (1983–1995)<br />Busan Daewoo Royals (1996–1999)<br />Busan I'Cons (2000–2004)<br />'''Busan IPark''' (2005–present) | Daewoo (1983–1999)<br />HDC Group (2000–present) |- | 5 | ''Kookmin Bank'' (1983–1984) | Kookmin Bank |- | 6 | Hyundai Horang-i (1984–1995)<br />Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i (1996–2007)<br />Ulsan Hyundai (2008–2023)<br />'''Ulsan HD''' (2024–present) | Hyundai Motor Company (1984–1997)<br />Hyundai Heavy Industries (1998–present) |- | 7 | Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso (1984–1990)<br />LG Cheetahs (1991–1995)<br />Anyang LG Cheetahs (1996–2003)<br />'''FC Seoul''' (2004–present) | LG Group (1984–2004)<br />GS Group (2004–present) |- | 8 | ''Hanil Bank FC'' (1984–1986) | Hanil Bank |- | 9{{efn|name=Sangmu|Sangmu, Gwangju Sangmu, Sangju Sangmu and Gimcheon Sangmu are separate legal entities according to the K League Federation}} | ''Sangmu FC'' (1985) | Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps |- | 10 | Ilhwa Chunma (1989–1995)<br />Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma (1996–1999)<br />Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (2000–2013)<br />'''Seongnam FC''' (2014–present) | Ilwha Company (1989–2013)<br />Government of Seongnam (2014–present) |- | 11 | ''Chonbuk Buffalo'' (1994) | Bobae Soju |- | 12 | Jeonbuk Dinos (1995–1996)<br />Jeonbuk Hyundai Dinos (1997–1999)<br />'''Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors''' (2000–present) | Hyundai Motor Company<br />Hyunyang Company (1995–1999) |- | 13 | '''Jeonnam Dragons''' (1995–present) | POSCO |- | 14 | '''Suwon Samsung Bluewings''' (1996–present) | Samsung Electronics (1996–2014)<br />Cheil Worldwide (2014–present) |- | 15 | Daejeon Citizen (1997–2019)<br />'''Daejeon Hana Citizen''' (2020–present) | Dong Ah Group (1997–1998)<br />Chungchong Bank (1997–1998)<br />Dongyang Department Store (1997–1999)<br />Kyeryong Construction Company (1997–2002)<br />Government of Daejeon (2003–2019)<br />Hana Financial Group (2020–present) |- | 16{{efn|name=Sangmu}} | ''Gwangju Sangmu'' (2003–2010) | Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps<br />Government of Gwangju |- | 17 | '''Daegu FC''' (2003–present) | Government of Daegu |- | 18 | '''Incheon United''' (2004–present) | Government of Incheon |- | 19 | '''Gyeongnam FC''' (2006–present) | Government of Gyeongnam Province |- | 20 | '''Gangwon FC''' (2009–present) | Government of Gangwon Province |- | 21{{efn|name=Sangmu}} | ''Sangju Sangmu'' (2011–2020) | Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps<br />Government of Sangju |- | 22 | '''Gwangju FC''' (2011–present) | Government of Gwangju |- | 23{{efn|name=Police|Ansan Mugunghwa and Asan Mugunghwa are separate legal entities according to the K League Federation}} | ''Police FC'' (2013)<br />''Ansan Police'' (2014–2015)<br />''Ansan Mugunghwa'' (2016) | KNP Sports Club<br />Government of Ansan (2014–2016) |- | 24 | ''Goyang Hi FC'' (2013–2015)<br />''Goyang Zaicro'' (2016) | |- | 25 | ''Chungju Hummel'' (2013–2016) | Hummel Korea |- | 26 | '''Suwon FC''' (2013–present) | Government of Suwon |- | 27 | '''Bucheon FC 1995''' (2013–present) | Government of Bucheon |- | 28 | '''FC Anyang''' (2013–present) | Government of Anyang |- | 29 | '''Seoul E-Land''' (2015–present) | E-Land Group |- | 30{{efn|name=Police}} | ''Asan Mugunghwa'' (2017–2019) | KNP Sports Club<br />Government of Asan |- | 31 | '''Ansan Greeners''' (2017–present) | Government of Ansan |- | 32 | '''Chungnam Asan''' (2020–present) | Government of Asan<br/>Government of Chungnam Province |- | 33{{efn|name=Sangmu}} | '''Gimcheon Sangmu''' (2021–present) | Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps<br />Government of Gimcheon |- | 34 | '''Gimpo FC''' (2022–present) | Government of Gimpo |- | 35 | '''Cheonan City''' (2023–present) | Government of Cheonan |- | 36 | '''Chungbuk Cheongju''' (2023–present) | Government of Cheongju |- | 37 | '''Hwaseong FC''' (2025–present) | Government of Hwaseong |- | 38 | '''Gimhae FC 2008''' (2026–present) | Government of Gimhae |- | 39 | '''Paju Frontier''' (2026–present) | Government of Paju |- | 40 | '''Yongin FC''' (2026–present) | Government of Yongin |} {{notelist}}
== Champions == {{main|K League 1#Champions|l1 = K League 1|K League 2#Champions|l2 = K League 2 champions}}
{| class="wikitable" ! width="12%"|Year ! width="44%"|K League 1 ! width="44%"|K League 2 |- |align="center"|1983 |Hallelujah FC |rowspan="30" align="center"|''No second-tier<br>professional league'' |- |align="center"|1984 |Daewoo Royals |- |align="center"|1985 |Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso |- |align="center"|1986 |POSCO Atoms |- |align="center"|1987 |Daewoo Royals |- |align="center"|1988 |POSCO Atoms |- |align="center"|1989 |Yukong Elephants |- |align="center"|1990 |Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso |- |align="center"|1991 |Daewoo Royals |- |align="center"|1992 |POSCO Atoms |- |align="center"|1993 |Ilhwa Chunma |- |align="center"|1994 |Ilhwa Chunma |- |align="center"|1995 |Ilhwa Chunma |- |align="center"|1996 |Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i |- |align="center"|1997 |Busan Daewoo Royals |- |align="center"|1998 |Suwon Samsung Bluewings |- |align="center"|1999 |Suwon Samsung Bluewings |- |align="center"|2000 |Anyang LG Cheetahs |- |align="center"|2001 |Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma |- |align="center"|2002 |Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma |- |align="center"|2003 |Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma |- |align="center"|2004 |Suwon Samsung Bluewings |- |align="center"|2005 |Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i |- |align="center"|2006 |Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma |- |align="center"|2007 |Pohang Steelers |- |align="center"|2008 |Suwon Samsung Bluewings |- |align="center"|2009 |Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |- |align="center"|2010 |FC Seoul |- |align="center"|2011 |Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |- |align="center"|2012 |FC Seoul |- |align="center"|2013 |Pohang Steelers |Sangju Sangmu |- |align="center"|2014 |Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |Daejeon Citizen |- |align="center"|2015 |Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |Sangju Sangmu |- |align="center"|2016 |FC Seoul |Ansan Mugunghwa |- |align="center"|2017 |Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |Gyeongnam FC |- |align="center"|2018 |Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |Asan Mugunghwa |- |align="center"|2019 |Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |Gwangju FC |- |align="center"|2020 |Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |Jeju United |- |align="center"|2021 |Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |Gimcheon Sangmu |- |align="center"|2022 |Ulsan Hyundai |Gwangju FC |- |align="center"|2023 |Ulsan Hyundai |Gimcheon Sangmu |- |align="center"|2024 |Ulsan HD |FC Anyang |- |align="center"|2025 |Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |Incheon United |}
== Promotion-relegation play-offs == The K League promotion-relegation play-offs were introduced in 2013 and are contested between the eleventh-placed team of K League 1 and the runners-up of K League 2. The first leg is always played at the second division team's home ground, while the second leg is played at the first division team's home ground. Starting in 2022, another series was added between the tenth-placed team of K League 1 and the third-placed team of K League 2.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! Season ! K League 1 ! width="80"|Aggregate ! K League 2 ! width="80"|1st leg ! width="80"|2nd leg |- | 2013 || Gangwon FC || 2–4 || '''Sangju Sangmu'''|| 1–4 || 1–0 |- | 2014 || Gyeongnam FC || 2–4 || '''Gwangju FC '''|| 1–3 || 1–1 |- | 2015 || Busan IPark || 0–3 || '''Suwon FC '''|| 0–1 || 0–2 |- | 2016 || Seongnam FC || 1–1 (a) || '''Gangwon FC '''|| 0–0 || 1–1 |- | 2017 || '''Sangju Sangmu'''|| 1–1 {{pso|5–4}} || Busan IPark || 1–0 || 0–1 {{aet}} |- | 2018 || '''FC Seoul '''|| 4–2 || Busan IPark || 3–1 || 1–1 |- | 2019 || Gyeongnam FC || 0–2 || '''Busan IPark''' || 0–0 || 0–2 |- | 2020 || colspan="5"| ''Not held''{{efn|Two K League 1 teams were relegated, so the runners-up of K League 2 were directly promoted.}} |- | 2021 || '''Gangwon FC ''' || 4–2 || Daejeon Hana Citizen || 0–1 || 4–1 |- | rowspan="2"|2022 || '''Suwon Samsung Bluewings''' || 2–1 || FC Anyang || 0–0 || 2–1 {{aet}} |- | Gimcheon Sangmu || 1–6 || '''Daejeon Hana Citizen''' || 1–2 || 0–4 |- | rowspan="2"|2023 || '''Gangwon FC''' || 2–1 || Gimpo FC || 0–0 || 2–1 |- | '''Suwon FC''' || 6–4 || Busan IPark || 1–2 || 5–2 {{aet}} |- | rowspan="2"|2024 || '''Daegu FC''' || 6–5 || Chungnam Asan || 3–4 || 3–1 {{aet}} |- | '''Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors''' || 4–2 || Seoul E-Land || 2–1 || 2–1 |- | rowspan="2"|2025 || '''Jeju SK''' || 3–0 || Suwon Samsung Bluewings || 1–0 || 2–0 |- | Suwon FC || 2–4 || '''Bucheon FC 1995''' || 0–1 || 2–3 |} {{notelist}}
== Records and statistics == {{main|K League records and statistics}}
K League officially includes records of K League 1, K League 2, K League Championship, and Korean League Cup in its statistics. {{trim|{{#section-h:K League records and statistics|Record holders}}}}
== Restriction of foreign players == {{see also|List of foreign K League 1 players|l1=List of foreign K League 1|List of foreign K League 2 players|l2=K League 2 players}}
At the inception of the K League in 1983, only two Brazilian players made rosters. At the time, rules allowed each club to have three foreign players and that the three could also play simultaneously in a game. From the 1996 season, each team had five foreign players among whom three could play in a game at the same time. In 1999, foreign goalkeepers were banned from the league because South Korean clubs excessively employed foreign goalkeepers after watching Valeri Sarychev's performances at that time.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://tv.kakao.com/channel/2663796/cliplink/390767801 |script-title=ko:[원투펀치 328회 2부] K리그 역대 베스트 키퍼 Top7 |language=ko |website=TV.Kakao.com |publisher=Daum |date=24 September 2018 |access-date=30 April 2020 |archive-date=5 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005094836/https://tv.kakao.com/channel/2663796/cliplink/390767801 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2001 and 2002, the limit on foreign players was expanded to seven but only three could play in a game at the same time. The limit was lowered to five in 2003, four in 2005, and three in 2007. Since 2009, the number of foreign players went back up to four per team, including a slot for a player from AFC countries. Between 2020 and 2024, Southeast Asian players could be registered under the ASEAN Quota.<ref>{{cite web |title=News: K League to Introduce ASEAN Quota in 2020 |url=http://www.kleagueunited.com/2019/04/news-k-league-to-introduce-asean-quota.html |publisher=K League United |access-date=21 December 2019 |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425233010/http://www.kleagueunited.com/2019/04/news-k-league-to-introduce-asean-quota.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The prohibition of foreign goalkeepers was abolished in 2025, and they will be able to play in the league since 2026.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/crk64ngl3ejo |title=K-League to end rule banning foreign goalkeepers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2025-06-20 |access-date=2025-07-02}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" !Season !Lineup !Squad !Note |- |align="left"|1983–1993 |2 |2 | |- |align="left"|1994 |2 |3 | |- |align="left"|1995 |3 |3 | |- |align="left"|1996–2000 |3 |5 |The number of foreign goalkeepers' appearances was limited in 1997 and 1998, and their employment was banned in 1999. * 1997: Two-thirds of all matches * 1998: One-third of all matches * 1999–2025: Banned in the league |- |align="left"|2001–2002 |3 |7 |Temporary operation due to frequent call-ups of the World Cup team. |- |align="left"|2003–2004 |3 |5 | |- |align="left"|2005 |3 |4 | |- |align="left"|2006–2008 |3 |3 | |- |align="left"|2009–2019 |3+1 |3+1 |<nowiki>+</nowiki>1 AFC player |- |align="left"|2020–2024 |3+1+1 |3+1+1 |<nowiki>+</nowiki>1 AFC player +1 ASEAN player; only used by K League 2 since 2023. |- |align="left"|2023–2024 |3+1 |5+1 |<nowiki>+</nowiki>1 AFC player; only used by K League 1. |- |align="left"|2025–present |4 |5 or 6 |K League 1 teams can register six foreign players each in their squads, while K League 2 teams can register five. The foreign goalkeepers' employment is being allowed since 2026. |- |}
== Relocation of clubs == {{main|K League decentralization policy}}
In early years, the hometowns of K League clubs were determined,<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005100315/http://www.kleague.com/kr/sub.asp?avan=1001125100 |url=http://www.kleague.com/kr/sub.asp?avan=1001125100 |script-title=ko:K League history - 1983 season |language=ko |publisher=K League |access-date=2020-12-24 |archive-date=2013-10-05}}</ref> but they were pointless in substance because the clubs played all K League matches by going around all stadiums together. The current home and away system is being operated since 1987. The clubs were relocated from provinces to cities in 1990, but clubs are currently based in their area regardless of province and city since 1994. In 1996, the decentralization policy was operated. In result 3 clubs based in Seoul were relocated. Since 1996, it is obligatory for all clubs to include hometown name in their club name.
{| class="wikitable" ! Club ! National tour system (1983–1986) ! Home and away system (1987–present) |- | Pohang Steelers | Daegu–Gyeongbuk (1983) | Daegu–Gyeongbuk → Pohang (1988{{efn|K League officially introduced the relocation policy to cities in 1990, but POSCO Atoms already followed it in 1988.}}) |- | Jeju SK | Seoul–Incheon–Gyeonggi (1983) → Seoul (1984) | Seoul → Incheon–Gyeonggi (1987) → Seoul (1991) → Bucheon (2001{{efn|Bucheon Yukong decided Bucheon as its new city in 1996, but played its home matches at Mokdong Stadium located in Mok-dong, Seoul until 2000, because Bucheon Stadium was under construction during that time.}}) → Jeju (2006) |- | Busan IPark | Busan–Gyeongnam (1983) | Busan–Gyeongnam → Busan (1989{{efn|K League officially introduced the relocation policy to cities in 1990, but Daewoo Royals already followed it in 1989.}}) |- | Ulsan HD | Incheon–Gyeonggi (1984) → Incheon–Gyeonggi–Gangwon (1986) | Gangwon (1987) → Ulsan (1990) |- | FC Seoul | Chungnam–Chungbuk (1984) | Chungnam–Chungbuk → Seoul (1990) → Anyang (1996) → Seoul (2004) |- | Seongnam FC | align="center"|— | Seoul (1989) → Cheonan (1996) → Seongnam (2000) |- | Gimcheon Sangmu{{efn|Gwangju Sangmu, Sangju Sangmu, and Gimcheon Sangmu are separate legal entities according to K League. Officially not relocated and founded as a new club.}} | align="center"|— | Gwangju (2003) → Sangju (2011) → Gimcheon (2021) |- | Asan Mugunghwa{{efn|Police FC, Ansan Police, and Asan Mugunghwa are separate legal entities according to K League. Officially not relocated and re-founded as a new civil club named Chungnam Asan, in 2019.}} | align="center"|— | Unlocated{{efn|Played all matches at away stadiums.}} (2013) → Ansan (2014) → Asan (2017) |} {{notelist}}
== Awards == === Annual awards === * K League Most Valuable Player Award * K League Top Scorer Award * K League Top Assist Provider Award * K League Young Player of the Year Award * K League Manager of the Year Award * K League Best XI * K League FANtastic Player
=== Hall of Fame === ==== Stars ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Inductee !Clubs !Ref. |- |align="center"|2023 |Choi Soon-ho |POSCO Atoms (1983–1987, 1991)<br />Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso (1988–1990) |<ref name="23hall">{{cite web |url=https://www.kleague.com/news_view.do?orderBy=seq&viewOption=album&seq=87585 |script-title=ko:'K리그 명예의 전당' 초대 헌액자 발표 |publisher=K League |language=ko |date=2023-03-16 |access-date=2023-03-16 |archive-date=16 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316074742/https://www.kleague.com/news_view.do?orderBy=seq&viewOption=album&seq=87585 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |align="center"|2023 |Hong Myung-bo |Pohang Steelers (1992–1997, 2002) |<ref name="23hall"/> |- |align="center"|2023 |Shin Tae-yong |Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (1992–2004) |<ref name="23hall"/> |- |align="center"|2023 |Lee Dong-gook |Pohang Steelers (1998–2002, 2005–2006)<br />Gwangju Sangmu (2003–2005)<br />Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (2008)<br />Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2009–2020) |<ref name="23hall"/> |- |align="center"|2025 |Kim Joo-sung |Busan Daewoo Royals (1987–1999) |<ref name="25hall">{{cite news |url=https://www.newsis.com/view/NISX20250701_0003234421 |script-title=ko:김병지·김주성·데얀·유상철, 제2회 K리그 명예의 전당 헌액 |lang=ko |publisher=Newsis |date=2025-07-01 |access-date=2025-07-02}}</ref> |- |align="center"|2025 |Kim Byung-ji |Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i (1992–2000) <br> Pohang Steelers (2001–2005) <br> FC Seoul (2006–2008) <br> Gyeongnam FC (2009–2012) <br> Jeonnam Dragons (2013–2015) |<ref name="25hall"/> |- |align="center"|2025 |Yoo Sang-chul |Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i (1994–1998, 2002–2003, 2005–2006) |<ref name="25hall"/> |- |align="center"|2025 |Dejan Damjanović |Incheon United (2007) <br> FC Seoul (2008–2013, 2016–2017) <br> Suwon Samsung Bluewings (2018–2019) <br> Daegu FC (2020) |<ref name="25hall"/> |}
==== Leaders ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Inductee !Clubs !Ref. |- |align="center"|2023 |Kim Jung-nam |Yukong Elephants (1985–1992)<br />Ulsan Hyundai (2000–2008) |<ref name="23hall"/> |- |align="center"|2025 |Kim Ho |Hyundai Horang-i (1988–1990) <br> Suwon Samsung Bluewings (1995–2003) <br> Daejeon Citizen (2007–2009) |<ref name="25hall"/> |}
==== Honors ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Inductee !Notes !Ref. |- |align="center"|2023 |Park Tae-joon |Founder of Pohang Steelers and Jeonnam Dragons |<ref name="23hall"/> |- |align="center"|2025 |Chung Mong-joon |President of Korea Football Association (1993–2009) <br> President of K League Federation (1994–1998) <br> Vice-president of FIFA (1994–2011) <br> President of East Asian Football Federation (2004) |<ref name="25hall"/> |}
== Sponsorship == {| class="wikitable" |- ! Sponsor ! Season ! Competition |- | rowspan="3"|''None'' | 1983–1985 | Super League |- | 1986 | Football Festival |- | 1987–1993 | Korean Professional Football League |- | Hite | 1994–1995 | Hite Cup Korean League |- | Rapido | 1996–1997 | Rapido Cup Professional Football League |- | Hyundai Group | 1998 | Hyundai Cup K-League |- | {{ill|Hyundai Securities|ko|현대증권}} | 1999 | Buy Korea Cup K-League |- | Samsung Electronics | 2000 | Samsung DigiTall K-League |- | POSCO | 2001 | POSCO K-League |- | rowspan=2| Samsung Electronics | 2002 | Samsung PAVV K-League |- | 2003–2008 | Samsung Hauzen K-League |- | ''None'' | 2009 | K-League |- | Hyundai Motor Company | 2010 | Sonata K-League |- | Hyundai Oilbank | 2011–2016 | Hyundai Oilbank K League |- | rowspan="3"| Hana Bank | 2017–2018 | KEB Hana Bank K League |- | 2019–2023 | Hana 1Q K League |- | 2024–present | Hana Bank K League |}
== See also == *Football in South Korea *Korean League Cup *K League All-Star Game *Korean Super Cup *R League
== Notes == {{notelist-lg}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category|K League}} * [http://www.kleague.com/ Official K League website] {{in lang|en}}
{{K League}} {{K League seasons}} {{Football in Korea Republic}}
Category:K League Category:Professional sports leagues in South Korea