News: Korea Cup to switch to autumn–spring format to meet global standards

The Korea Football Association (KFA) has announced that it will restructure the Korea Cup into an autumn–spring format in line with global standards.

On December 23rd, the KFA held its 11th board meeting of 2025 at the Korea Football Park in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. During the meeting, the board reviewed and approved major agenda items, including the ₩138.7 billion budget proposal for 2026 and plans for hosting domestic leagues and nationwide competitions.

As a result of the resolutions passed, the Korea Cup will shift from its current spring–autumn format to an autumn–spring format starting next year. This change is intended to better align with the AFC Champions League (ACL) schedule and broader international football trends, while also enabling clubs to field their strongest squads in both the K League and the Korea Cup. In addition, to enhance the status of the competition, the KFA will carry out a comprehensive brand renewal and overhaul the prize-money structure.

Under the new format, the 2026–27 Korea Cup will stage Round 1 through the Round of 16 (Round 4) in July and August 2026, with the quarterfinals through the final held in May and June 2027.

The KFA also announced the launch of the W Korea Cup, a new women’s competition featuring eight WK League teams and seven university teams. The W Korea Cup will be played as a single-match knockout tournament from Round 1 (Round of 15) through to the final. From the Gangwon region, Hwacheon KSPO Women’s Football Club and Gangwon Provincial College are expected to take part.