| Season | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 15 February – 30 November |
| Country | South Korea |
| Teams | 12 |
| Champions | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (10th title) |
| Relegated | Suwon FC Daegu FC |
| Champions League Elite | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Daejeon Hana Citizen Pohang Steelers |
| Champions League Two | Gangwon FC |
| Matches | 228 |
| Goals | 578 (2.54 per match) |
| Best Player | Lee Dong-gyeong |
| Top goalscorer | Pablo Sabbag (17 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Anyang 4–0 Daegu (22 July) Gimcheon 6–2 Seoul (17 August) |
| Biggest away win | Gangwon 0–4 Gimcheon (11 May 2025) |
| Highest scoring | Gimcheon 6–2 Seoul (17 August) |
| Longest winning run | 6 matches Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
| Longest unbeaten run | 24 matches Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
| Longest winless run | 12 matches Daegu FC |
| Longest losing run | 7 matches Daegu FC |
| Highest attendance | 48,008 Seoul 0–1 Jeonbuk (3 May) |
| Lowest attendance | 1,405 Gimcheon 0–1 Gangwon (8 November) |
| Total attendance | 2,298,557 [1] |
| Average attendance | 10,081 [1] |
← 2024 2026 → | |
The 2025 K League 1, also known as the Hana Bank K League 1 for sponsorship reasons, was the 43rd season of the top division of professional football in South Korea, and the twelfth season of the K League 1. Ulsan HD were the three-time defending champions. [2]
The following rules were newly introduced for the 2025 season. [3]
FC Anyang were promoted from the K League 2 for the first time in the club's history. [4] Incheon United were relegated to the K League 2, absenting from the top flight of South Korean football for the first time in the club's history. [5]
The following twelve clubs are competing in the 2025 K League 1. [6]
| Team | City/Province | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| Daegu FC | Daegu | Daegu |
| Daejeon Hana Citizen | Daejeon | Daejeon |
| FC Anyang | Anyang | Anyang |
| Gangwon FC | Gangwon | Gangwon |
| Gimcheon Sangmu | Gimcheon | Gimcheon |
| Gwangju FC | Gwangju | Gwangju |
| Jeju SK | Jeju | Jeju |
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | Jeonbuk | Jeonbuk |
| Pohang Steelers | Pohang | Pohang |
| FC Seoul | Seoul | Seoul |
| Suwon FC | Suwon | Suwon FC |
| Ulsan HD | Ulsan | Ulsan |
Locations of the 2025 K League 1 teams in the Seoul Capital Area |
| Daegu FC | Daejeon Hana Citizen | Gangwon FC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DGB Daegu Bank Park | Daejeon World Cup Stadium | Chuncheon Songam Sports Town | Gangneung Stadium |
| Capacity: 12,415 | Capacity: 40,903 | Capacity: 20,000 | Capacity: 22,333 |
| | | | |
| FC Anyang | Gimcheon Sangmu | Gwangju FC | Jeju SK |
| Anyang Stadium | Gimcheon Stadium | Gwangju World Cup Stadium | Jeju World Cup Stadium |
| Capacity: 17,143 | Capacity: 25,000 | Capacity: 40,245 | Capacity: 29,791 |
| | | | |
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | Pohang Steelers | FC Seoul | Suwon FC |
| Jeonju World Cup Stadium | Pohang Steel Yard | Seoul World Cup Stadium | Suwon Stadium |
| Capacity: 42,477 | Capacity: 17,443 | Capacity: 66,704 | Capacity: 11,808 |
| | | | |
| Ulsan HD | |||
| Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium | |||
| Capacity: 44,102 | |||
| | |||
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Table | Replaced by | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gangwon FC | | End of contract | 30 November 2024 | Pre-season | | 6 December 2024 |
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | | Mutual consent | 16 December 2024 | Pre-season | | 24 December 2024 |
| Daegu FC | | Mutual consent | 13 April 2025 | 11th | | 1 June 2025 |
| Ulsan HD | | Mutual consent | 2 August 2025 | 7th | | 5 August 2025 |
| Jeju SK | | Resigned | 29 September 2025 | 11th | | 30 September 2025 |
| Ulsan HD | | Sacked | 9 October 2025 | 10th | | 9 October 2025 |
Each team may have up to six foreign players registered, but may only field up to five at any given time. [11] 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.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation [a] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (C) | 38 | 23 | 10 | 5 | 64 | 32 | +32 | 79 | Qualification for Champions League Elite league stage |
| 2 | Daejeon Hana Citizen | 38 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 58 | 46 | +12 | 65 | |
| 3 | Gimcheon Sangmu [b] | 38 | 18 | 7 | 13 | 59 | 45 | +14 | 61 | |
| 4 | Pohang Steelers | 38 | 16 | 8 | 14 | 41 | 46 | −5 | 56 | Qualification for Champions League Elite play-off round |
| 5 | Gangwon FC | 38 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 37 | 41 | −4 | 52 | Qualification for Champions League Two group stage |
| 6 | FC Seoul | 38 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 50 | 52 | −2 | 49 | |
| 7 | Gwangju FC | 38 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 40 | 41 | −1 | 54 | |
| 8 | FC Anyang | 38 | 14 | 7 | 17 | 49 | 47 | +2 | 49 | |
| 9 | Ulsan HD | 38 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 42 | 50 | −8 | 44 | |
| 10 | Suwon FC (R) | 38 | 11 | 9 | 18 | 51 | 58 | −7 | 42 | Qualification for relegation play-offs |
| 11 | Jeju SK (O) | 38 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 40 | 53 | −13 | 39 | |
| 12 | Daegu FC (R) | 38 | 7 | 13 | 18 | 47 | 67 | −20 | 34 | Relegation to K League 2 |
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
Teams played each other twice, once at home, once away.
Matchday 1 (15–16 February) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 2 (22–23 February) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 3 (1–3 March) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 4 (8–9, 22 March) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 5 (15–16 March) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 6 (29–30 March) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 7 (5–6 April) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 8 (12–13 April) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 9 (19–20 April) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 10 (9, 26–27 April) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 11 (2–3 May) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 12 (5–6 May) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 13 (10–11 May) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 14 (17–18 May) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 15 (23–25 May) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 16 (27–28 May) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 17 (31 May–1 June) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 18 (1 April, 13–14 June) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 19 (23 April, 17–18 June) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 20 (21–22 June, 2 August) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 21 (27–29 June, 12 July) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 22 (18–20 July) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Teams played each other once, either at home or away.
Matchday 23 (22–23 July) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 24 (26–27 July) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 25 (8–10 August) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 26 (15–17 August) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 27 (23–24 August) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 28 (30–31 August) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 29 (13–14 September) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 30 (20–21 September) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 31 (27–28 September) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 32 (3–5 October) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 33 (18 October) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Teams played each other once, either at home or away.
Matchday 34 (25–26 October) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 35 (1 November) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 36 (8–9 November) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 37 (22 November) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 38 (30 November) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 34 (25–26 October) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 35 (1–2 November) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 36 (8–9 November) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 37 (22–23 November) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matchday 38 (30 November) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
The tenth-placed team and the eleventh-placed team played the play-off winners and the runners-up of the K League 2, respectively, in the relegation play-offs.
The first leg between Suwon FC and Bucheon FC 1995 was postponed from 4 December to 5 December due to heavy snow.
| Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suwon Samsung Bluewings | 0–3 | Jeju SK | 0–1 | 0–2 |
| Bucheon FC 1995 | 4–2 | Suwon FC | 1–0 | 3–2 |
| Jeju SK | 2–0 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings |
|---|---|---|
|
Jeju SK won 3–0 on aggregate and therefore both clubs remain in their respective leagues.
| Bucheon FC 1995 | 1–0 | Suwon FC |
|---|---|---|
| Bassani |
| Suwon FC | 2–3 | Bucheon FC 1995 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Bucheon FC 1995 won 4–2 on aggregate and was promoted to K League 1, while Suwon FC was relegated to K League 2.
| Rank | Player [12] | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Suwon FC | 17 |
| 2 | | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 16 |
| 3 | | Pohang Steelers | 15 |
| 4 | | Daejeon Hana Citizen | 14 |
| | FC Anyang | ||
| 6 | | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 13 |
| | Jeju SK | ||
| | Gimcheon Sangmu Ulsan HD | ||
| 9 | | Daegu FC | 12 |
| | Gimcheon Sangmu Gangwon FC | ||
| Rank | Player [13] | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Daegu FC | 12 |
| | Gimcheon Sangmu Ulsan HD | ||
| 3 | | Suwon FC FC Seoul | 8 |
| | FC Seoul | ||
| 5 | | FC Anyang | 6 |
| | Gimcheon Sangmu Gangwon FC | ||
| | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | ||
| 8 | 7 players | 5 | |
| Month | Player of the Month | Young Player of the Month | Goal of the Month | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Club | Player | Club | Player | Club | |
| February–March | | Daejeon | | Gangwon | | Seoul |
| April | | Jeonbuk | | Gangwon | | Daegu |
| May | | Jeonbuk | | Pohang | | Jeonbuk |
| June | | Jeonbuk | | Gimcheon | | Gangwon |
| July | | Seoul | | Seoul | | Daegu |
| August | | Suwon FC | | Gimcheon | | Jeonbuk |
| September | | Daegu | | Gimcheon | | Daegu |
| October | | Daegu | | Daegu | | Anyang |
| Month | Manager of the Month | Save of the Month | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Club | Div. | Player | Club | |
| February–March | | Daejeon | 1 | | Gangwon |
| April | | Incheon | 2 | | Daejeon |
| May | | Jeonbuk | 1 | | Jeonbuk |
| June | | Jeonbuk | 1 | | Gangwon |
| July | | Suwon FC | 1 | | Jeonbuk |
| August | | Gimpo | 2 | | Daegu |
| September | | Seongnam | 2 | | Jeonbuk |
| October | | Daejeon | 1 | | Jeonbuk |
The 2025 K League Awards was held on 1 December 2025. [14]
| Award | Winner | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Most Valuable Player | | Gimcheon Sangmu Ulsan HD |
| Young Player of the Year | | Gimcheon Sangmu Gangwon FC |
| Top goalscorer | | Suwon FC |
| Top assist provider | | Daegu FC |
| Manager of the Year | | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
| Position | Best XI | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | | |||
| Defenders | (Daejeon) | (Jeonbuk) | (Seoul) | (Daejeon) |
| Midfielders | (Jeonbuk) | (Jeonbuk) | (Jeonbuk) | (Jeonbuk) |
| Forwards | | | ||
| Pos | Team | Total | High | Low | Average | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FC Seoul | 440,516 | 23,185 | −16.7% | ||
| 2 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 368,505 | 18,425 | +18.4% | ||
| 3 | Ulsan HD | 274,844 | 14,465 | −22.3% | ||
| 4 | Daejeon Hana Citizen | 201,775 | 10,620 | +7.8% | ||
| 5 | Daegu FC | 188,905 | 10,495 | −6.8% | ||
| 6 | Pohang Steelers | 194,713 | 10,248 | +8.0% | ||
| 7 | FC Anyang | 144,246 | 7,592 | +44.6%† | ||
| 8 | Jeju SK | 128,759 | 7,153 | +12.4% | ||
| 9 | Gangwon FC | 134,489 | 7,078 | −22.7% | ||
| 10 | Suwon FC | 88,708 | 4,669 | −16.6% | ||
| 11 | Gwangju FC | 79,417 | 4,180 | −14.9% | ||
| 12 | Gimcheon Sangmu | 53,680 | 2,684 | −22.1% | ||
| League total | 2,298,557 | 10,081 | −8.4% |
Source: K League
Notes:
† Teams that played previous season in K League 2.