The Korean K League consists of 12 teams, playing a three-round home-and-away system (with the home team for the third round determined by a draw). Points are awarded as follows: each winning team receives 3 points, each losing team earns no points, and each draw results in 1 point for both teams. Teams are ranked based on their total points. The first stage is the regular season, where rankings are determined by points earned; the top six teams advance to the Championship Group, while the bottom six teams make their way to the Relegation Group. The Championship Group and the Relegation Group then compete in single-round group stages. If two or more teams have the same number of points, ranking will be determined according to the following order: a) Total goals scored b) Goal difference c) Number of wins d) Head-to-head record e) Fair play points f) Draw Asia Champions League Qualifiers & Relegated Teams: 1. The champions, runners-up, and third-place finishers from the Championship Group directly qualify for the group stage of the 2027–28 AFC Champions League Elite. The fourth-place team in the Championship Group will participate in the 2027–28 AFC Champions League Elite Playoffs. 2. The winner of the Korean FA Cup will compete in the group stage of the 2027–28 AFC Champions League Second Division. If the Korean FA Cup champion also ranks among the top four teams in the Championship Group, the fifth-place team in the Championship Group will take part in the AFC Champions League Second Division group stage. 3. As the cooperation agreement between the Korea Armed Forces Sports Club (Gimcheon Sangmu) and Gimcheon City expires at the end of 2026, both Gimcheon City’s new civilian club and the Armed Forces Sports Club’s relocation to another city to establish a new K League club will see both teams compete in the 2027 K2 League. 4. With the 2027 K1 League expanding to 14 teams, the last-placed team in the league will face the winner of the K2 League Playoffs in a two-legged promotion/relegation playoff. The winner of the playoff final, along with the top two teams from the K2 League, will earn promotion to the K1 League. If Gimcheon Sangmu finished at the bottom of the 2026 K1 League (12th place), the K2 League Playoff winner will directly advance to the K1 League. However, if Gimcheon Sangmu did not finish at the bottom of the 2026 K1 League (before 12th place), the K2 League Playoff winner will directly advance to the K1 League, while the loser of the playoff will face the last-placed team in the K1 League in a promotion/relegation playoff.