K League 2
The K League 2 (Hangul: K리그2) is the men's second-highest division of the South Korean football league system. It is contested between thirteen professional clubs and operates on a promotion and relegation system with K League 1.
| Organising body | K League Federation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 |
| Country | South Korea |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of teams | 13 |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Promotion to | K League 1 |
| Domestic cup(s) | Korean FA Cup |
| International cup(s) | AFC Champions League (via Korean FA Cup) |
| Current champions | Gwangju FC (2022) |
| Most championships | Gwangju FC Sangju Sangmu (2 titles each) |
| TV partners | Sky Sports (South Korea) Life & Sports TV |
| Website | kleague.com |
| Current: 2023 K League 2 | |
History Edit
In 2011, the original K League announced a plan to begin a promotion and relegation system between the K League and a proposed second division.[1] The K League then took steps to create the new second division, mainly with the addition of a split-system during the 2012 K-League season in which the bottom clubs are placed in a competition for safety with the last placed club being relegated to the new second division (originally it was going to be two clubs relegated but the withdrawal of Sangju Sangmu meant only one would be relegated).[2][3]
The second division was going to get the name of K League, and the original K League's name was changed to K League Classic along with the new logo.[4] However, the change caused some degree of confusion and controversy,[5] and on 11 March 2013 the official name was changed to K League Challenge.[6] On 22 January 2018, its name was once again changed to K League 2.[7]
Current clubs Edit
| Club | Location | Stadium | First season | Current spell | Seasons[a] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ansan Greeners | Ansan | Ansan Wa~ Stadium | 2017 | 2017– | 7 |
| FC Anyang | Anyang | Anyang Stadium | 2013 | 2013– | 11 |
| Bucheon FC 1995 | Bucheon | Bucheon Stadium | 2013 | 2013– | 11 |
| Busan IPark | Busan | Busan Asiad Main Stadium | 2016 | 2021– | 7 |
| Cheonan City | Cheonan | Cheonan Stadium | 2023 | 2023– | 1 |
| Chungbuk Cheongju | Cheongju | Cheongju Sports Complex Stadium | 2023 | 2023– | 1 |
| Chungnam Asan | Asan | Yi Sun-sin Stadium | 2020 | 2020– | 4 |
| Gimcheon Sangmu | Gimcheon | Gimcheon Stadium | 2021 | 2023– | 2 |
| Gimpo FC | Gimpo | Gimpo Solteo Football Stadium | 2022 | 2022– | 2 |
| Gyeongnam FC | Changwon | Changwon Football Center | 2015 | 2020– | 7 |
| Jeonnam Dragons | South Jeolla | Gwangyang Football Stadium | 2019 | 2019– | 5 |
| Seongnam FC | Seongnam | Tancheon Stadium | 2017 | 2023– | 3 |
| Seoul E-Land | Seoul | Mokdong Stadium | 2015 | 2015– | 9 |
- ^ As of the 2023 season.
Champions Edit
By season Edit
By club Edit
| Club | Champions | Runners-up | Winning seasons | Runners-up seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gwangju FC | 2 | 1 | 2019, 2022 | 2014 |
| Sangju Sangmu | 2 | 0 | 2013, 2015 | — |
| Daejeon Hana Citizen | 1 | 2 | 2014 | 2021, 2022 |
| Ansan Mugunghwa[a] | 1 | 1 | 2016 | 2013 |
| Gyeongnam FC | 1 | 0 | 2017 | — |
| Asan Mugunghwa[a] | 1 | 0 | 2018 | — |
| Jeju United | 1 | 0 | 2020 | — |
| Gimcheon Sangmu | 1 | 0 | 2021 | — |
| Suwon FC | 0 | 2 | — | 2015, 2020 |
| Busan IPark | 0 | 2 | — | 2017, 2019 |
| Daegu FC | 0 | 1 | — | 2016 |
| Seongnam FC | 0 | 1 | — | 2018 |
See also Edit
References Edit
- ^ Richards, Dave. "Korea, England: closer football ties". Korea Joongang Daily. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ K리그 31~44라운드, 상주 없이 그대로 진행 (in Korean). Sports Chosun. 14 September 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ "K League confirm promotion-relegation system". SportsSpying. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
- ^ "K League News". K League. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
- ^ (in Korean). Sports Seoul. 19 February 2013. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013.
- ^ (in Korean). K League. 11 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- ^ 프로축구연맹, 클래식→K리그1, 챌린지→K리그2 대회명 변경 (in Korean). K League. 22 January 2018.
- ^ 프로연맹, 신생팀 안산-아산 가입 승인