Farewell to the K League 1 split: wide open race to say goodbye

The 2026 season is the last of the 12-team K League 1 and the Final A/Final B system. From 2027, the top flight expands to 14 clubs and moves to a 39-match, three-round-robin season. It is fitting, then, that the last-ever race for the top six is very wide open.

Aside from the runaway league leaders FC Seoul and the well and truly cut adrift basement side, no need to mention who, the 2026 K League 1 table is very tight. Just nine points separate Ulsan HD in second from FC Anyang in ninth and, perhaps more importantly, five points separate Gangwon FC in fifth from The Violets. 

The 0-0 between Gangwon and Incheon United during Chuseok - a rescheduled Round 22 fixture - was almost the perfect result to maintain the chaos: neither side pulled away, and the teams below them remain within striking distance.

This sets up a dramatic and tightly contested race to seal top-six status. The real drama, certainly for the neutrals, used to be in Final B, with big teams getting sucked into the relegation battles - Jeonbuk in 2024, Ulsan last year, and FC Seoul on a number of occasions, most recently in 2023. Finishing in the top six was a good way to secure safety early, but with no automatic relegation this year due to the Sangmu team's relocation from Gimcheon, and how far off Gwangju are, there's no need to bust a gut to get into Final A purely for the sake of safety.

The incentive to avoid Final B is more about what's up for grabs in Final A - an extra AFC Champions League spot. K League clubs can potentially send five clubs to AFC Champions League competitions - three in AFC Champions League Elite and two in AFC Champions League Two, albeit with playoffs involved for a full quota. 

Once this mega international break finally comes to an end, K League 1 has just three more matches before the split, and only league leaders FC Seoul have mathematically secured a place in the top six. 

Even Ulsan in second could still slip into the bottom half if they're not careful. It means that there are eight teams fighting for five places. Gimcheon, Bucheon, and Gwangju are all mathematically out of contention.

Key Fixtures

Round 31

Daejeon Hana Citizen vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - Key six-pointer

Round 31 could prove pivotal. Daejeon, the side currently sitting in sixth, have an easy run-in post Round 31 (Gwangju at home, Gimcheon away), so this home clash with Jeonbuk will be huge. Daejeon sit on 40 points and host fourth-placed Jeonbuk on 44 points. A home win would put Daejeon right back in contention for a top-four finish, while a Jeonbuk victory would strengthen their position and potentially open up a gap to the chasing pack. Both have plenty at stake.

Incheon United vs. Pohang Steelers - Key six-pointer

With Incheon on 39 and Pohang on 40, this is one of the most consequential fixtures of the round. A win for Incheon would see them leapfrog Pohang, while the Steelers have the chance to create some breathing room and strengthen their top-six prospects.

Round 32

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs. Jeju SK - Top-four battle

Jeju and Jeonbuk are both looking to consolidate their positions near the top of the table. Although both are in the top six at present, a defeat could make the final two rounds considerably more complicated, particularly for Jeonbuk.

Gangwon FC vs. Incheon United - Key six-pointer

Perhaps the standout fixture of the entire run-in. Gangwon and Incheon meet for the second time in quick succession. If Incheon win, they could move within a point of Gangwon; if the hosts prevail, they could establish a valuable cushion with just one game left before the split.

Pohang Steelers vs. FC Anyang - Key six-pointer

Anyang are right in the hunt, just two points behind Pohang heading into Round 31. This is a crucial opportunity for the Violets to make up ground directly, while Pohang have a chance to put some distance between themselves and one of their closest challengers.

Round 33

FC Seoul vs. Gangwon FC - Potential decider

The final round before the split could see Gangwon facing an already-qualified Seoul side. Depending on the preceding results, this could be decisive for Gangwon's top-six hopes, particularly if they are still vulnerable to the teams immediately below them.

Incheon United vs. Jeju SK - Potential decider

Jeju could be fighting to protect their top-four position, while Incheon may need a result to secure Final A. It's a particularly interesting final-day fixture because the two sides could have very different objectives, depending on how the preceding rounds unfold.

With direct meetings between several of the contenders still to come, the final three rounds offer little room for error. In a season that marks the end of the 12-team split, the last places in Final A could be decided as much by who takes points off their rivals as by who wins their own matches.

Where to Watch

Watch live on TV.KLeague.com, English commentary provided where indicated.

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