Daejeon Hana Citizen's nearest away grounds in 2025

With the 2024 K League Promotion-Relegation Playoffs concluded the 12 teams that'll compete in the top flight in 2025 have been confirmed. This means that fans will know which away trips they'll be looking to make when the new season comes around in mid-February.

With one new team promoted and a familiar foe relegated, the 2025 season will bring one ground that Daejeon fans haven't visited in a while. But which grounds are the nearest? After all, K League only has Suwon and Seoul as the cities with more than one club so there are no traditional derbies. No away matches in the same city.

K League United used Naver Maps to check how far it is to drive from Daejeon World Cup Stadium to each K League 1 stadium.

Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - 71km

Daejeon's nearest ground since returning to K League 1, Jeonju Castle, has been a happy hunting ground for them. In four trips to Jeonju, two this season and two last, Daejeon have earned two wins and two draws. With Jeonju World Cup Stadium on the north side of the city, it's only around an hour by car from Daejeon, located just to the northeast. Daejeon came close to losing a nearby ground due to Jeonbuk's involvement in the Promotion-Relegation Playoffs, but the Green Warriors' 4-2 aggregate win over Seoul E-Land preserved Jeonbuk's top-flight status.

Gimcheon Sports Complex, Gimcheon Sangmu - 93km

A stadium that holds fond memories for Daejeon fans having celebrated promotion there in 2022, Gimcheon Sports Complex is less than 100 km (60 miles) away and can be reached in around an hour. Daejeon's only win there was the 4-0 Promotion-Relegation Playoff second-leg tie on October 29th, 2022, but the Purples did fight back from 2-0 down to earn a draw there last season.

Suwon Sports Complex, Suwon FC - 138 km

The first stadium that's over 100 kilometres away is Suwon Sports Complex, also known as Castle Park. Daejeon's first away win of 2024 came at this stadium against Suwon FC, earning a 2-1 victory thanks to a brace from Masatoshi Ishida. It's been a stadium of mixed fortunes since returning to K League 1 as the Purples suffered a 5-3 loss there in Round 6 of the 2023 season, despite being 2-0 and 3-1 up. 

Anyang Sports Complex, FC Anyang - 144km

FC Anyang's historic promotion to K League 1 means a return to Anyang Sports Complex for Daejeon fans in 2025. Daejeon's last trip there - a 1-0 win in September 2022 - put Daejeon in the driving seat for second spot and the direct playoff with Gimcheon. Daejeon fans also enjoyed a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Anyang at this stadium in the 2021 playoffs. The two teams enjoyed a bit of a rivalry when in K League 2, and Anyang fans will be looking forward to the visit of Daejeon.

DGB Daegu Bank Park, Daegu FC - 161km

Daegu FC going 3-0 and 4-1 down to Chungnam Asan in the playoffs almost lost Daejeon fans a trip or two back to one of the most popular stadiums in K League 1. But, with an away end of just 400 seats, and being by far the smallest away end in the country, that might not have been a bad thing. Daejeon are also yet to win at Daegu's new stadium, earning just two points from three trips there over the last two seasons. At 161 kilometers (100 miles), it's not exactly near by car. 

Seoul World Cup Stadium, FC Seoul - 166km

Seoul World Cup Stadium stands at 166 kilometers (103 miles) away. Daejeon earned their first away win at Sangam in over 20 years this season, winning 3-2 in Round 30. Their only trip there last season ended 0-0 and the first of 2024 ended 2-1 to Seoul, a game which saw Jesse Lingard score his first K League goal from open play. 

Gwangju Football Stadium, Gwangju FC - 169km

Just a bit further from Sangam but in the opposite direction in the southwest of the country is Gwangju Football Stadium. Mostly made of temporary stands, whether this can be called a "stadium" is a debate for another day, but certainly this ground is one that Daejeon have found visiting troublesome. The Purples began the 2022 season with a 2-0 defeat there and have scored just once in six visits, amassing two points from two 0-0 draws. 

Chuncheon Songam Sports Town, Gangwon FC - 243km

Gangwon have two stadiums and both are far away. Chuncheon is slightly nearer at 243 kilometers (150 miles) away. It's a stadium that Daejeon have faired a bit better at compared to Gangneung since returning to the top flight, remaining unbeaten with a win and a draw. The most recent trip there in Round 12 ended 3-3, despite Daejeon going 2-0 up. Peniel Mlapa rescued a point with a late, late spot-kick. The only trip there in 2023 saw Daejeon earn a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Tiago and Ju Se-jong.

Ulsan Munsu Stadium, Ulsan HD - 267km

Life after Lee Min-sung began at the Munsu where Daejeon lost 4-1 under caretaker manager Jung Kwang-seok in Round 14. It's a stadium that Daejeon have picked up just two draws in three trips there since promotion in 2022, but came close to a win in Round 15 of last season having led 3-1 but ultimately had to make do with a draw. It's among the furthest away for Daejeon fans at 267 kilometers (166 miles).

Pohang Steel Yard, Pohang Steelers - 240km

The iconic Pohang Steel Yard is among the furthest away for most teams, Daejeon included at 240 kilometers (149 miles).  Pohang Steelers are the only team Daejeon have been unable to beat since returning to K League 1 in 2023. Their trips to the Steel Yard have been entertaining but ultimately meant the Purples left without much for their endeavours - just one point from three trips over the last two seasons. Hwang Sun-hong, who led Pohang to the double in 2013, began his second spell in charge with an away trip to the Steel Yard. 

Gangneung Sports Complex, Gangwon FC - 284km

A place of pain and tears, Gangneung Sports Complex on the east coast of Gangwon Province is Daejeon's furthest away trip on the mainland at 284 kilometers (176 miles). Daejeon suffered a 4-1 defeat to Gangwon in Gangneung in the second leg of the 2021 Promotion-Relegation Playoff final, and have only been back once, drawing 1-1 in R32 of the 2023 season.

Jeju World Cup Stadium, Jeju United - 438km

Of course, no one in their right mind would drive from Daejeon to Jeju away, considering this would involve driving all the way to the south coast and then taking a ferry. Cheongju airport is just to the north of Daejeon and it's less than a one-hour flight to the island. But at 438 kilometres (272 miles), Jeju World Cup Stadium represents Daejeon's longest away trip. Daejeon have been back to Seogwipo on five occasions since returning to K League 1, winning just once (2023 R37, 2-0), losing three, and drawing one.