K League 1
FIFA Region
AFC
Season
2026
Location
Korea Republic
Abbreviation
KOR1

Summary

The 2026 K League 1 (KOR1) (aka Hana Bank K League 1) is the top level of league-style football competition in South Korea. At the end of the 2026 KOR1 season, the KOR1 teams listed below qualify for the following non-league play:

  • 2027-2028 AFC Champions League Elite- Group Stage:
    • 1st and 2nd place 2026 KOR1 teams
  • 2027-2028 AFC Champions Elite League - Playoff Round:
    • 3rd place 2026 KOR1 teams
  • 2027-2028 AFC Champions League 2 - Group Stage:
    • 3rd place 2026 KOR1 team

The winner of the 2026 Korean FA Cup, typically a KOR1 team, also receives a berth in the Group Stage of the 2027-2028 AFC Champions League 2.

Leagues Pyramid - Korea Republic

Abbrev League # of Teams
KOR1 K League 1 12
KOR2 K League 2 14

Competition Structure

Season

# of Teams

28 Feb 2026 - 6 Dec 2026  12: KOR1 (10 minimum), KOR2 (2 maximum)

Season Format

In the 2026 KOR1 Regular season, each KOR1 team plays the other 11 KOR1 teams 3 times for a total of 33 league matches per team. In each 3 match series, one team hosts 2 home matches and the other team hosts 1 home match. Table ranking ties are broken by (1) goals scored, (2) goal difference, (3) matches won, then (4) head-to-head points.

Gimcheon Sangmu is a military-owned team and cannot qualify for AFC competitions.They will be relegated to the KOR2 for the 2027 season regardless of their final table position.

Playoffs

Not applicable.

Relegation

At the end of the 2026 KOR1 Regular season, the 12th place KOR1 team will have a Home-Away Promotion/Relegation Playoff with the 2nd place KOR2 team.


More Info...


Table

 LeagueHomeRoad
POSMPW - D - LPTSCPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGD
1Ulsan HD FC 11 -0-03-31211 -0-0331200 -0-00000
2Bucheon FC 1995 11 -0-03-32100 -0-0000011 -0-03321
3FC Seoul 11 -0-03-21100 -0-0000011 -0-03211
4Gimcheon Sangmu FC 10 -1-01-11010 -1-0111000 -0-00000
5Pohang Steelers 10 -1-01-11000 -0-0000010 -1-01110
6Jeju SK FC 10 -1-01-00010 -1-0100000 -0-00000
7Gwangju FC 10 -1-01-00000 -0-0000010 -1-01000
8Jeonbuk Motors 10 -0-10-23-110 -0-1023-100 -0-00000
9Incheon United 10 -0-10-12-110 -0-1012-100 -0-00000
10Gangwon FC 10 -0-10-13-200 -0-0000010 -0-1013-2
11FC Anyang 00 -0-00-00000 -0-0000000 -0-00000
12Daejeon Citizen FC 00 -0-00-00000 -0-0000000 -0-00000
2027-2028 AFCCL
Relegation Playoffs

Fixtures

Mon - 2 Mar 2026
 Daejeon Citizen FC FT FC AnyangDaejeon World Cup Stadium
Sat - 7 Mar 2026
 Pohang Steelers   Gangwon FCPohang Steel Yard
 Ulsan HD FC   FC SeoulUlsan Munsu Football Stadium
 Gwangju FC   Incheon UnitedGwangju World Cup Stadium
Sun - 8 Mar 2026
 FC Anyang   Jeju SK FCAnyang Stadium
Sat - 14 Mar 2026
 Gwangju FC   Jeonbuk MotorsGwangju World Cup Stadium
 Daejeon Citizen FC   Gimcheon Sangmu FCDaejeon World Cup Stadium
Sun - 15 Mar 2026
 Bucheon FC 1995   Ulsan HD FCBucheon Stadium
 Jeju SK FC   FC SeoulJeju World Cup Stadium
 Gangwon FC   FC AnyangGangneung Stadium
 Pohang Steelers   Incheon UnitedPohang Steel Yard
Tue - 17 Mar 2026
 Gimcheon Sangmu FC   Gwangju FCGimcheon Stadium
Wed - 18 Mar 2026
 Bucheon FC 1995   Gangwon FCBucheon Stadium
 Incheon United   Daejeon Citizen FCIncheon Football Stadium
 Jeju SK FC   Ulsan HD FCJeju World Cup Stadium
 Jeonbuk Motors   FC AnyangJeonju World Cup Stadium
 Pohang Steelers   FC SeoulPohang Steel Yard
Sat - 21 Mar 2026
 Daejeon Citizen FC   Jeonbuk MotorsDaejeon World Cup Stadium

Results

Sun - 1 Mar 2026
 Jeju SK FC 00 Gwangju FCJeju World Cup Stadium
 Jeonbuk Motors 23 Bucheon FC 1995Jeonju World Cup Stadium
Sat - 28 Feb 2026
 Incheon United 12 FC SeoulIncheon Football Stadium
 Ulsan HD FC 31 Gangwon FCUlsan Munsu Football Stadium