The 2016 K League Challenge was the fourth season of the K League 2, the second-highest division in the South Korean football league system. Originally, K League Challenge champions could be promoted to the K League Classic, but Ansan Mugunghwa lost its qualification for the promotion after Ansan Government decided to break up with police football team from next year. Runners-up Daegu FC directly qualified for the Classic instead of champions Ansan Mugunghwa, and third, fourth and fifth-placed team advanced to the promotion playoffs.
Teams
Team changes
Relegated from K League Classic
- Daejeon Citizen
- Busan IPark
Promoted to K League Classic
- Sangju Sangmu
- Suwon FC
Stadiums
Personnel and sponsoring
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Foreign players
Restricting the number of foreign players strictly to four per team, including a slot for a player from AFC countries. A team could use four foreign players on the field each game.
League table
Positions by matchday
Leaders
Qualification for the promotion playoffs
Round 1–22
Round 23–44
Results
Matches 1–20
Matches 21–40
Promotion playoffs
Bracket
First round
Semi-final
Final
The promotion-relegation playoffs were held between the winners of the 2016 K League Challenge playoffs and the 11th-placed club of the 2016 K League Classic. The winner on aggregate score after both matches earned entry into the 2017 K League Classic.
1–1 on aggregate. Gangwon FC won on away goals and were promoted to the K League Classic, while Seongnam FC were relegated to the K League Challenge.
Player statistics
Top scorers
Top assist providers
Attendance
Attendants who entered with free ticket were not counted.
Awards
Main awards
The 2016 K League Awards was held on 8 November 2016.
- Most Valuable Player: Kim Dong-chan (Daejeon Citizen)
- Top goalscorer: Kim Dong-chan (Daejeon Citizen)
- Top assist provider: Lee Ho-seok (Gyeongnam FC)
- Manager of the Year: Son Hyun-jun (Daegu FC)
Best XI
Player of the Round
Manager of the Month
See also
- 2016 in South Korean football
- 2016 K League Classic
- 2016 Korean FA Cup
References
External links
- Official website (in Korean)
- Review at K League (in Korean)
