K League's Underrated Rivalries (2026 Edition)
K League has several major derbies, but hidden beneath the surface, unheralded rivalries are screaming out for your attention.
Supporters of Jeonbuk Hyundai, Pohang Steelers, and Ulsan HD can rightly spit out their cornflakes when glossing over an article that largely passes them by. Veteran followers of K League will know that the Donghaean Derby between Pohang and Ulsan is among the three most significant rivalries in Korea. Jeonbuk share rivalries with those clubs — and several others in the league. Add the price on their heads for consistently winning titles, and every Jeonbuk fixture feels like an event in 2026.
If you're interested in the destination of the trophy, or in seeing the best players lining up for the best teams, examine the schedule for matches involving those three clubs and Daejeon Hana. However, this article is written for the groundhopper. The casual fan looking for something a little different. A train journey to a less familiar destination. A match off Broadway, if you like.
This article leans heavily on clubs located in or near Seoul. That isn’t inherent bias towards the capital region — merely a reflection of geography. Across K League 1 and 2, 15 of 29 clubs are on or near a Seoul Metro line.
Here is a list of underrated rivalries worth checking out in 2026.
Intra-City Derby
Suwon Samsung Bluewings vs. Suwon FC (K League 2)
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| Suwon Bluewings love some razzamatazz at Big Bird. |
Separated by just 3.3 km, this is currently the only city derby in Korea’s top two divisions. For the first time ever, the two sides will meet in K League 2 in 2026, following relegations in 2023 (Bluewings) and 2025 (Suwon FC).
On a national scale, this fixture never truly captured the wider football public’s attention, but when the distance between the two grounds can be covered on foot, it demands inclusion.
Most recent meeting:
Staring down automatic relegation in November 2023, unproven manager Yeom Ki-hun appeared to be turning the tide when the neighbours met in a proverbial six-pointer. Despite falling behind early and being reduced to ten men, the Bluewings stormed back to win 3–2. Their survival hopes remained alive — but ultimately, it wasn’t enough. The clubs finished level on points, yet Suwon FC’s superior goals-scored record sent the Bluewings down.
Head-to-head:
Incredibly, Suwon FC boast a winning record against their bigger, richer, and historically more successful neighbours. In 16 K League 1 meetings, Suwon FC have won nine to the Bluewings’ six, with one draw.
2026 fixtures:
Suwon FC vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Castle Park — Sunday, May 3, 19:00.
Suwon Samsung Bluewings vs. Suwon FC, Suwon World Cup Stadium — Saturday, August 15, 16:30.
Why should I go?
Aside from being the only current city derby in the top two leagues, the stadiums are a spectacular contrast in style. Suwon Stadium is an ageing, multi-purpose ground with limited pitchside seating, minimal facilities, and no roof cover. Big Bird, by contrast, is a majestic football-specific arena with an iconic roof and a riot of seat colours.
Regional Derby
FC Seoul vs. Bucheon FC 1995 (K League 1)
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| Seoul will be on the menu for hungry Bucheon this year. |
Approximately 15 km — across the Han River — separates two clubs who have never officially met in league competition. Until Seoul E-Land can convert investment into promotion, Bucheon will serve as Seoul’s nearest true rival.
The history is complicated. A team from Bucheon once faced the modern incarnation of FC Seoul — but that club is now Jeju SK. Bucheon FC 1995 was founded in response. Context aside, this one will be spicy.
2026 fixtures:
FC Seoul vs. Bucheon FC 1995, Seoul World Cup Stadium — Tuesday, April 21, 19:30.
Bucheon FC 1995 vs. FC Seoul, Bucheon Stadium — Sunday, July 19, 19:30.
FC Seoul vs. Bucheon FC 1995, Seoul World Cup Stadium — Tuesday, August 25, 19:30.
Why should I go?
Established K League fanbases enjoy visiting new grounds. Many Seoul supporters weren’t following the club during the Bucheon SK era. A packed away section is guaranteed when they make the short trip across the river. Likewise, Bucheon should travel well to Sangam. Two Tuesday fixtures, however, are far from ideal.
Incheon United vs. Bucheon FC 1995 (K League 1)
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| Incheon's famous South Stand is an imposing structure. |
The 031 Derby — named after the regional area code — pits Bucheon against Incheon to the west. The stadiums are 18 km apart and easily reached by subway. The clubs first met in K League 2 last season and renew their rivalry in the top flight following joint promotion. This will be Bucheon’s first taste of K League 1 football.
Most recent meeting:
Bucheon pulled off a major shock last September, defeating the champions-elect. The result forced the rest of K League 2 to take notice: Bucheon were not just promotion contenders, but genuine candidates for automatic promotion. They ultimately fell short of completing a 031 Derby clean sweep, but the win did nothing to derail their playoff ambitions.
Head-to-head:
Incheon lead the series two wins to Bucheon’s one. Incheon claimed both home fixtures at Sungui Arena (3–1 and 1–0), while Bucheon exacted revenge on home soil in September.
2026 fixtures:
Bucheon FC 1995 vs. Incheon United, Bucheon Stadium — Saturday, April 18, 16:30.
Incheon United vs. Bucheon FC 1995, Sungui Arena — Sunday, July 26, 19:30.
Incheon United vs. Bucheon FC 1995, Sungui Arena — Tuesday, September 8, 19:30.
Why should I go?
Long sandwiched between major K League powers, Bucheon — a compact city on Incheon’s eastern edge — now have an opportunity to bloody the noses of their neighbours. After years of scrapping with regional sides like Ansan Greeners and Seoul E-Land, this step up in opposition and status should produce genuine edge.
On the pitch, the colors will be familiar to fans of Milan's big 2. Anyone who grew up in the 90's watching Italian Football on Channel 4 with James Richardson will absolutely appreciate seeing red/black vs. blue/black again.
Suwon FC vs. Ansan Greeners (K League 2)
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| They haven't had much to sing about recently. |
At long last, Ansan have a rendezvous with Suwon, based 20 km east as the crow flies. The Green Wolves have waited six years for revenge following a 4–0 trouncing during the COVID era.
Ansan supporters still recall the days of Hallelujah and Police — the Greeners’ predecessors in the city. Suwon FC remain the most visited away side to Wa~.
Most recent meeting:
Ishida Masatoshi returned to Wa~ after a successful season with Ansan and tore his former club apart in a comfortable 4–0 win for Suwon. An Byong-jun was also on the scoresheet as Suwon continued their march toward promotion. Fortunately for the Greeners, COVID restrictions meant the gates were closed that October afternoon.
Head-to-head:
Suwon currently edge the rivalry with seven wins to Ansan’s six, alongside two draws. Ansan dominated the early meetings before Suwon finally broke through in 2018.
2026 fixtures:
Ansan Greeners vs. Suwon FC, Wa~ Stadium — Saturday, July 4, 19:30.
Suwon FC vs. Ansan Greeners, Castle Park — Sunday, November 1, 14:00.
Why should I go?
About the only recognisable feature of Ansan Greeners is the enormous VERDOR banner that follows the downtrodden club around the country. The trip to Castle Park will be a short one for their signature banner. If there is one image that will bring back the horrors of K League 2 for Suwon FC fans, it is that green banner.
FC Seoul vs. FC Anyang (K League 1)
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| The mural that angered Anyang's fans. |
Thanks to the dense cluster of clubs in the Seoul Capital Area — particularly south and west of the river — familiar names recur.
Seoul and Anyang sit just 24 km apart. Anyang hate Seoul. Why? Because the club now known as FC Seoul once played in Anyang as the LG Cheetahs. In 2004, they announced their return to the capital, moving into the vacant World Cup Stadium. This is both a rivalry and a derby.
Most recent meeting:
The last meeting saw Anyang celebrate one of the greatest nights in their history — on Seoul’s turf. Goals from Thomas Oude Kotte and Bruno Mota secured a stunning 2–1 victory. Tears flowed in the away end. The win exorcised old demons and convinced Anyang they belonged at this level.
Head-to-head:
Perfect balance: one win, one draw, and one defeat each.
2026 fixtures:
FC Anyang vs. FC Seoul, Anyang Stadium — Sunday, April 5, 14:00.
FC Seoul vs. FC Anyang, Seoul World Cup — Tuesday, May 5, 19:00.
FC Anyang vs. FC Seoul, Anyang Stadium — Saturday, August 22, 19:30.
Why should I go?
The rivalry is established and only set to intensify. When Seoul welcomed Anyang to Sangam last February, the home fans held up a mural reading 1983 - their year of formation. Anyang were furious. They feel some of that history belongs in the Violet city.
FC Anyang vs. Incheon United (K League 1)
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| Welcome to Anyang. |
I can’t fully explain it — and I may be wrong — but the overdue meeting between Incheon and Anyang feels like fertile ground for a genuine rivalry.
Anyang were a lifetime K League 2 club until lifting the title in 2024. They effectively took Incheon’s place after Incheon suffered their first relegation. Incheon’s rapid return and Anyang’s survival now place them on a collision course. The clubs are separated by 33 km of Gyeonggi Province sprawl.
2026 fixtures:
FC Anyang vs. Incheon United, Anyang Stadium — Sunday, March 22, 16:30.
Incheon United vs. FC Anyang, Sungui Arena — Sunday, July 12, 19:30.
FC Anyang vs. Incheon United, Anyang Stadium — Wednesday, August 26, 19:30.
Why should I go?
Post-match pints. Incheon and Anyang have their go-to bar for beers. Anyang's, named after a famous football club in England, is a shrine to global football. Liverpool and Anyang dominate, but don't be surprised to see scarves from Japan, Russia, and South America on the walls. Have a pint, meet new friends, and keep the fists on the table.
Cheonan City FC vs. Chungnam Asan (K League 2)
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| The first ever K League clash between Asan and Cheonan. |
Otherwise known simply as “the Derby,” Cheonan and Asan are neighbouring cities divided by one landmark: Cheonan-Asan KTX Station. You can’t travel between the two grounds without passing beneath the high-speed tracks. The clubs are also five stops apart on Metro Line 1 — just 13 km.
Most recent meeting:
On a clear November afternoon, the provincial rivals drew 1–1 at Yi Sun-sin Stadium. Cheonan led until half-time. Asan equalised with 30 minutes remaining. With little left to play for, the draw felt especially flat for Asan, who had narrowly missed promotion in 2023.
Head-to-head:
As the more established club, Asan hold the stronger record (five wins to two). However, both of Cheonan’s victories came last season, and with the draw included, they are unbeaten in the fixture since September 2024.
2026 fixtures:
Cheonan City FC vs. Chungnam Asan, Cheonan Stadium — Sunday, May 3, 16:30.
Chungnam Asan vs. Cheonan City FC, Yi Sun-sin — Sunday, November 1, 14:00.
Why should I go?
Most fixtures on this list are Gyeonggi-based. While Cheonan and Asan sit on Metro Line 1, Asan in particular still feels remote — which only adds to the charm.
Relocation Rivalry
Jeju SK vs. Bucheon FC 1995 (K League 1)
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| Who will be cheering when Bucheon visit Jeju later this year? |
Buses, trains, or bikes won’t help much here. Jeju SK, based on the island of the same name, trace their roots to Seoul. Forced from the capital under K League’s decentralisation policy, they relocated first to Bucheon. Then, in 2006, the club woke up in a different city again. Bucheon FC 1995 were born in response.
Most recent meeting:
Bucheon knocked Jeju out of the cup last year, but their last league meeting came during the COVID-affected 2020 season. Jeju won 2–0 in Bucheon, scoring twice inside 13 minutes through An Hyeon-beom and Joo Min-kyu.
Head-to-head:
Remarkably, the clubs have met only three times in league competition — all in 2020. Jeju won all three, scoring seven and conceding none.
2026 fixtures:
Jeju SK vs. Bucheon FC 1995, Jeju World Cup Stadium — Saturday, April 4, 14:00.
Bucheon FC 1995 vs. Jeju SK, Bucheon Stadium — Tuesday, May 5, 14:00.
Bucheon FC 1995 vs. Jeju SK, Bucheon Stadium — Saturday, September 12, 16:30.
Why should I go?
Bucheon hate Jeju. When Jeju rebranded from Jeju United to Jeju SK last winter, it sparked outrage in Bucheon. As fate would have it, the sides were drawn together in the cup. Bucheon won — serenading Jeju off the pitch to chants of “Bucheon SK.”
A crowd of zero witnessed those 90 minutes due to virus restrictions. Maybe it never happened.
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