2026 K League 2
The 2026 K League 2, also known as the Hana Bank K League 2 for sponsorship reasons, is the 14th season of the K League 2, the second-highest division in South Korean football league system.
Overview
The league have expand to 17 teams for this season. Two teams relegated from K League 1, twelve teams remained in this league, two teams promoted from K3 League and one team new club establishment.K League 2 will be reduce or expand to 15 or TBD teams from next season, due to expansion of K League 1 from 12 to 14 teams, no team will automatically relegated from top tier.
This season, Promotion and Relegation between K League 2 and K3 League have been introduce for 2026 onwards. First and second place are promoted automatically, while third and sixth place are face promotion play-off, winner promotion play-off final will automatically promoted, loser promotion play-off final will face against 12th place of K League 1.
Last place in K League 2 will face against Champions of K3 League in the inaugural Relegation play-off round.
Teams
Team Changes
As the 2025 K League 2 champions, Incheon United and the play-off winners Bucheon FC 1995 have been promoted to the K League 1. Both teams ended in second tier after one and twelve years, respectively.Meanwhile, Suwon FC and Daegu FC have been relegated from the K League 1. Daegu FC and Suwon FC return to second tier after nine and five years absence, respectively.
Additionally, Gimhae FC 2008 and Paju Frontier have been accepted into the K League 2 following a decision by the K League Federation, having participated in the K3 League since 2020 and 2021. In August 2025, Yongin FC received approval to join the K League, confirming its intention to participate in the 2026 K League 2. On 16 January 2026, two teams from K3 League and one team newly establishment confirmation participate in K League 2 for 2026 season after final approval membership of K League Federation.
| Relegated from K League 1 |
| Accepted from K3 League |
| New Club |
| Promoted to K League 1 |
Locations
The following seventeen teams are participating in the 2026 K League 2.| Team | City/Province | Abbreviation |
| Ansan Greeners | Ansan | Ansan |
| Busan IPark | Busan | Busan |
| Cheonan City | Cheonan | Cheonan |
| Chungbuk Cheongju | Cheongju | Chungbuk Cheongju |
| Chungnam Asan | Asan | Chungnam Asan |
| Daegu FC | Daegu | Daegu |
| Gimpo FC | Gimpo | Gimpo |
| Gimhae FC 2008 | Gimhae | Gimhae |
| Gyeongnam FC | Gyeongnam | Gyeongnam |
| Hwaseong FC | Hwaseong | Hwaseong |
| Jeonnam Dragons | Jeonnam | Jeonnam |
| Paju Frontier | Paju | Paju |
| Seongnam FC | Seongnam | Seongnam |
| Seoul E-Land | Seoul | Seoul E |
| Suwon Samsung Bluewings | Suwon | Suwon |
| Suwon FC | Suwon | Suwon FC |
| Yongin FC | Yongin | Yongin |
Positions by matchday
Promotion play-off
Semi-finals
----Awards
Annual awards
| Award | Winner | Club |
| Most Valuable Player | ||
| Young Player of the Year | ||
| Top goalscorer | ||
| Top assist provider | ||
| Manager of the Year |