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K League#Promotion-relegation playoffs

{{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
(1983–1986)
K League Federation
(1987–1988)
Korea Football Association
(1989–1994)
K League Federation
(1994–present)

| confed = AFC

| founded = 1983

| teams = 26

| divisions = K League 1
K League 2

| levels = 1–2

| pyramid = South Korean football league system

| domest_cup = Korean FA Cup

| confed_cup = AFC Champions League Elite
AFC Champions League Two

| most_champs = Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
(9 titles)

| champions = Ulsan HD (2024)

| tv = JTBC Golf&Sports
Sky Sports (South Korea)
IB SPORTS

| website = {{official URL}}

| current =
2025 K League 1
2025 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.{{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 }}{{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 }} Clubs competing in the K League have won a record total of twelve AFC Champions League titles, the top continental competition for Asian clubs.{{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}}

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 in which footballers could focus on only football. In 1979, however, the Korea Football Association (KFA)'s president Choi Soon-young planned to found a professional football league,{{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 }} and made South Korea's first professional football club Hallelujah FC the next year.{{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 }} After the South Korean professional baseball league KBO League was founded in 1982, the KFA was aware of crisis about the popularity of football.{{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 }} In 1983, it urgently made 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 the early years, it also showed a promotion system by giving qualifications to the Semi-professional League winners. (Hanil Bank in 1984, Sangmu FC in 1985)

However, the number of spectators was consistently decreased despite KFA's effort, and so the professional league, renamed as the Korean Professional Football League, operated home and away system to interest fans since 1987.{{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 }} 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, 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.{{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 }}

It had the 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

Since 2021, K League 1 and K League 2 teams have been permitted to field their reserve teams in the K4 League.{{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}}

Clubs

= Current clubs =

== K League 1 ==

{{main|K League 1#Current clubs|l1=Current K League 1 clubs}}

{{Location map+ |South Korea|width=600|float=none|caption=Location of the 2025 K League 1 teams|places=

{{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.383333 |long=126.933333 |label=

FC Anyang
|position=left}}

{{location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.834236 |long=128.534210 |label=

Daegu FC
|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=36.377768 |long=127.411357 |label=

{{nowrap|Daejeon Hana Citizen}}
|position=left }}

{{location map~ |South Korea |mark=Blue pog.svg |lat=37.8551677 |long=127.690928 |label=

{{nowrap|Gangwon FC (Chuncheon)}}{{efn|name=Gangwon|Gangwon FC has two home stadiums.}}
|position=left}}

{{location map~ |South Korea |mark=Blue pog.svg |lat=37.77366 |long=128.897503 |label=

{{nowrap|Gangwon FC (Gangneung)}}{{efn|name=Gangwon}}
|position=right}}

{{location map~ |South Korea |lat=36.133333 |long=128.1 |label=

{{nowrap|Gimcheon Sangmu}}
|position=right}}

{{location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.133667 |long=126.874861 |label=

Gwangju FC
|position=left}}

{{location map~ |South Korea |lat=33.285758 |long=126.549156 |label=

Jeju SK
|position=right}}

{{location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.868111 |long=127.064444 |label=

{{nowrap|Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors}}
|position=left}}

{{location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.997781 |long=129.384242 |label=

{{nowrap|Pohang Steelers}}
|position=right}}

{{location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.568222 |long=126.897361 |label=

FC Seoul
|position=right}}

{{location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.286278 |long=127.036889 |label=

Suwon FC
|position=right}}

{{location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.5352695 |long=129.2594597 |label=

{{nowrap|Ulsan HD}}
|position=right}}

}}

{{notelist}}

== K League 2 ==

{{main|K League 2#Current clubs|l1=Current K League 2 clubs}}

{{Location map+ |South Korea |width=600 |float=none |caption=Location of the 2025 K League 2 teams|places=

{{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.247768 |long=126.911357 |label=

Ansan Greeners
|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.502602 |long=126.798985 |label=

{{nowrap|Bucheon FC 1995}}
|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.183947 |long=129.093254 |label=

Busan IPark
|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=36.8215495 |long=127.1448685 |label=

Cheonan City
|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=36.637902 |long=127.472354 |label=

{{nowrap|Chungbuk Cheongju}}
|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.6176112 |long=126.7174993 |label=

Gimpo FC
|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=35.233947 |long=128.664751 |label=

Gyeongnam FC
|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.199722 |long=126.831389 |label=

Hwaseong FC
|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.4656 |long=126.6435 |label=

Incheon United
|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.4104614 |long=127.12120920000007 |label=

Seongnam FC
|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.56829 |long=126.897197 |label=

Seoul E-Land
|position=right}}

{{location map~ |South Korea |lat=34.933056 |long=127.727500 |label=

{{nowrap|Jeonnam Dragons}}
|position=left}}

{{location map~ |South Korea |lat=36.783333 |long=126.983333 |label=

{{nowrap|Chungnam Asan}}
|position=left}}

{{location map~ |South Korea |lat=37.266667 |long=127.016667 |label=

{{nowrap|Suwon Samsung Bluewings}}
|position=right}}

}}

= All-time clubs =

As of 2025, there have been a total of 37 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)
POSCO Atoms (1985–1994)
Pohang Atoms (1995–1996)
Pohang Steelers (1997–present)

| POSCO

2

| Hallelujah FC (1983–1985)

| {{ill|Shindongah Group|ko|신동아그룹}}

3

| Yukong Elephants (1983–1995)
Bucheon Yukong (1996–1997)
Bucheon SK (1997–2005)
Jeju United (2006–2024)
Jeju SK (2025–present)

| SK Energy

4

| Daewoo Royals (1983–1995)
Busan Daewoo Royals (1996–1999)
Busan I'Cons (2000–2004)
Busan IPark (2005–present)

| Daewoo (1983–1999)
HDC Group (2000–present)

5

| Kookmin Bank (1983–1984)

| Kookmin Bank

6

| Hyundai Horang-i (1984–1995)
Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i (1996–2007)
Ulsan Hyundai (2008–2023)
Ulsan HD (2024–present)

| Hyundai Motor Company (1984–1997)
Hyundai Heavy Industries (1998–present)

7

| Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso (1984–1990)
LG Cheetahs (1991–1995)
Anyang LG Cheetahs (1996–2003)
FC Seoul (2004–present)

| LG Group (1984–2004)
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)
Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma (1996–1999)
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (2000–2013)
Seongnam FC (2014–present)

| Ilwha Company (1989–2013)
Government of Seongnam (2014–present)

11

| Chonbuk Buffalo (1994)

| Bobae Soju

12

| Jeonbuk Dinos (1995–1996)
Jeonbuk Hyundai Dinos (1997–1999)
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2000–present)

| Hyundai Motor Company
Hyunyang Company (1995–1999)

13

| Jeonnam Dragons (1995–present)

| POSCO

14

| Suwon Samsung Bluewings (1996–present)

| Samsung Electronics (1996–2014)
Cheil Worldwide (2014–present)

15

| Daejeon Citizen (1997–2019)
Daejeon Hana Citizen (2020–present)

| Dong Ah Group (1997–1998)
Chungchong Bank (1997–1998)
Dongyang Department Store (1997–1999)
Kyeryong Construction Company (1997–2002)
Government of Daejeon (2003–2019)
Hana Financial Group (2020–present)

16{{efn|name=Sangmu}}

| Gwangju Sangmu (2003–2010)

| Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps
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
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)
Ansan Police (2014–2015)
Ansan Mugunghwa (2016)

| KNP Sports Club
Government of Ansan (2014–2016)

24

| Goyang Hi FC (2013–2015)
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
Government of Asan

31

| Ansan Greeners (2017–present)

| Government of Ansan

32

| Chungnam Asan (2020–present)

| Government of Asan
Government of Chungnam Province

33{{efn|name=Sangmu}}

| Gimcheon Sangmu (2021–present)

| Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps
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

{{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
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

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

2013Gangwon FC2–4Sangju Sangmu1–41–0
2014Gyeongnam FC2–4Gwangju FC 1–31–1
2015Busan IPark0–3Suwon FC 0–10–2
2016Seongnam FC1–1 (a)Gangwon FC 0–01–1
2017Sangju Sangmu1–1 {{pso|5–4}}Busan IPark1–00–1 {{aet}}
2018FC Seoul 4–2Busan IPark3–11–1
2019Gyeongnam FC0–2Busan IPark0–00–2
2020colspan="5"| Not held{{efn|Two K League 1 teams were relegated, so the runners-up of K League 2 were directly promoted.}}
2021Gangwon FC 4–2Daejeon Hana Citizen0–14–1
rowspan="2"|2022Suwon Samsung Bluewings2–1FC Anyang0–02–1 {{aet}}
Gimcheon Sangmu1–6Daejeon Hana Citizen1–20–4
rowspan="2"|2023Gangwon FC2–1Gimpo FC0–02–1
Suwon FC6–4Busan IPark1–25–2 {{aet}}
rowspan="2"|2024Daegu FC6–5Chungnam Asan3–43–1 {{aet}}
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors4–2Seoul E-Land2–12–1

{{notelist}}

Records and statistics

{{main|K League records and statistics}}

K League officially includes records of K League 1, K League 2 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. Since 1999, foreign goalkeepers are banned from the league because South Korean clubs excessively employed foreign goalkeepers after watching Valeri Sarychev's performances at that time.{{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 }} 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.{{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 }}

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 is being banned since 1999.

  • 1997 season: Two-thirds of all matches
  • 1998 season: One-third of all matches
  • 1999–present: 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

|+1 AFC player

align="left"|2020–2024

|3+1+1

|3+1+1

|+1 AFC player +1 ASEAN player; only used by K League 2 since 2023.

align="left"|2023–2024

|3+1

|5+1

|+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.

Relocation of clubs

{{main|K League decentralization policy}}

In early years, the hometowns of K League clubs were determined,{{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}} 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 =

= Hall of Fame =

class="wikitable sortable"

!Year

!Inductee

!Category

!Clubs

!Ref.

align="center"|2023

|Choi Soon-ho

|Stars

|POSCO Atoms (1983–1987, 1991)
Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso (1988–1990)

|{{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 }}

align="center"|2023

|Hong Myung-bo

|Stars

|Pohang Steelers (1992–1997, 2002)

|

align="center"|2023

|Shin Tae-yong

|Stars

|Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (1992–2004)

|

align="center"|2023

|Lee Dong-gook

|Stars

|Pohang Steelers (1998–2002, 2005–2006)
Gwangju Sangmu (2003–2005)
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (2008)
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2009–2020)

|

align="center"|2023

|Kim Jung-nam

|Leaders

|Yukong Elephants (1985–1992)
Ulsan Hyundai (2000–2008)

|

align="center"|2023

|Park Tae-joon

|Honors

|Pohang Steelers
Jeonnam Dragons

|

Sponsorship

class="wikitable"
Sponsor

! Season

! Competition

None

| 1983–1993

| 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

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:Professional sports leagues in South Korea