The Korea Football Association adjusts the K3K4 League promotion system for the 2025 season
Sep 08, 2025
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Previously, the lowest (15th) team in the K3 League would automatically change seats with the winner of the K4 League, and the 14th-ranked team in the K3 League would play a match against the second-ranked team in the K4 League. However, with this adjustment, the lowest team in the K3 League will play a single-round match with the second-place team in the K4 League, and the winning team in the K4 League will be automatically promoted to the K3 League.
The change comes after the K3 League participation team will be reduced from 15 teams to 13 teams next year as Gimhae FC 2008 and Paju Citizens' Soccer Team, which belong to the K3 League, were approved to join the K League 2 at the board of directors of the Korea Professional Football Federation on the 11th of last month.
The association made the decision based on Article 9 (4) of the 「K3·K4 League Tournament Management Regulations」 for the stability and continuity of league operation. The clause stipulates that the association can adjust the number of promotion teams in the event of a change in the number of participating clubs due to participation in K League 2, team dissolution, and suspension of qualifications.
Accordingly, the K3 League will be operated under a 14-team system from the 2026 season. Meanwhile, the K4 League, which currently operates with 11 teams, will accept new teams wishing to participate in next season's league by the 26th.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
