K League derby and rival matches gained, lost and missed out on in 2026

Give with one hand, taketh away with the other. K League has gained, lost, and missed out on some derby or rival matches in 2026. From a first-ever top-flight meeting between Bucheon FC 1995 and Jeju SK, to a second-tier Suwon Derby, and the return of the Gyeongin Derby, there's lots to look forward to in the new season.

Gained

Bucheon FC 1995 vs. Jeju SK

Why is this a derby or rivalry, two teams hundreds of miles, not to mention a flight away? Jeju SK used to be called Bucheon SK, but moved to the city of Seogwipo on Jeju Island in 2006, leaving the folk of Bucheon without a team. A phoenix club, the Bucheon FC 1995 we know today, was formed in 2007 and eventually joined K League 2 in 2013. Bucheon fans eagerly awaited a meeting with Jeju for years, and got just that when the Islanders were relegated in 2019. But Jeju won all three of the 2020 K League 2 meetings, with Bicheon scoring none and conceding seven. The newly-promoted Bucheon of today are a different prospect for Jeju this time around.

Gyeongin Derby

Incheon United's instant return to K League 1 means an instant return of the Gyeongin Derby. Named after the Gyeongin Expressway connecting the two cities, there's no love lost between these two sets of supporters. Made even more fiery following the water bottle incident in 2024, when Incheon fans, feeling incited by perceived goading antics from Seoul goalkeeper Baek Jong-beom, decided to direct water bottles in his direction. Incheon, despite being the underdog in this fixture, have picked up some notable wins over the years.

Suwon Derby

Suwon FC's relegation to K League 2 and Suwon Bluewings' playoff failure mean that for the first time since the latter were founded, the 'football capital of Korea,' Suwon, doesn't have a top-flight professional football team. But what this means is, for the first time since 2023, there's the return of the Suwon Derby. There have been some real ding-dong battles over the years, including a 5-4 Suwon FC win at Big Bird in 2016, a 4-2 Suwon FC win in 2022, and a 3-2 Bluewings win in 2023.

Lost

Moonlight Derby

One derby or rival match that's been lost, one that seemed to produce goals and drama, is the Moonlight Derby between Daegu FC and Gwangju FC. Daegu's relegation to K League 2 sees to that, and means that fans will have to wait until 2027 at the earliest for more goalfests and drama like the 6-4 Gwangju win in Daegu in 2020, and the dramatic late, hope-giving Daegu win just last season. Why is it called the 'Moonlight Derby,' you ask? There's a political rivalry between the two regions, Honam and Youngnam, and the baseball teams also see each other as rivals, but the name comes from the two cities' former names - Dal (Moon) comes from the old name for Daegu, 'Dalgubeol' and 'Bit' (Light) comes from the old name for Gwangju, 'Bitgoeul.'

Missed Out On

Super Match - FC Seoul vs. Suwon Bluewings

The Super Match is, arguably, South Korea's biggest derby or rival match, but 2026 will be the third season without one in K League. Suwon Bluewings' failure to win promotion for a second season in a row means that the best chance there is of locking horns with FC Seoul again will be in the cup. 

Seoul Derby

There has only ever been one Seoul Derby between FC Seoul and Seoul E-Land, and that came in the cup in 2024. If there's to be another, it will have to be in knockout competition again. Seoul E-Land hae hinted at promotion for the last couple of years, reaching the playoffs two years in succession but the Mokdong faithful will have to wait until 2027 at the earliest for a K League Seoul Derby with FC Seoul.

Jijidae Derby - FC Anyang vs. Suwon Bluewings

The original Super Match, Anyang versus Suwon Samsung. There have only been two of these new Jijidae Derby matches, both being in the 2022 Promotion-Relegation Playoff when Suwon Bluewings eased past FC Anyang. Suwon spending another season in K League 2, and FC Anyang's incredible first season in K League 1 in 2025, mean that there'll be no league Jijidae Derby just yet.