What’s Changing in K League for 2025 Season? | OneFootball

With the 2025 K League season fast approaching, here is a summary of the key changes coming this year.

Hwaseong FC Joins K League 2

Hwaseong FC will compete in K League 2 this season, bringing the total number of clubs in the K League system to 26—comprising 12 teams in K League 1 and 14 in K League 2. The 2025 K League 2 season will feature a total of 275 matches, with each team playing 39 games.

Expanded Foreign Player Quotas in K League 1 & 2

From this season onwards, foreign player regulations will change as follows, regardless of nationality:

The previous "Asian quota" and "Southeast Asian quota" systems have been abolished.

Introduction of Concussion Substitution Rule

To enhance player safety, the K League will introduce a concussion substitution rule this season. This follows the International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) final approval of the rule in March 2024.

Each team will be allowed one concussion substitution per match, which will not count towards their standard substitution quota. Additionally, if a team uses a concussion substitute, their opponent will also be granted an extra substitution beyond the regular limit. The team's medical staff will decide whether to make a concussion substitution.

Foreign-Born Homegrown Rule

A new homegrown rule will be introduced for youth players of foreign nationality who have spent a significant period developing in South Korea.

If a foreign player has been registered with a domestic amateur team for three consecutive years or a total of five years before their first professional contract, they will be classified as a domestic player rather than taking up a foreign player slot.

Upon signing their first professional contract, these players will be subject to the K League’s rookie contract regulations, and each club may register one such player under this rule.

Venue Changes for Poor Pitch Condition

If a pitch is deemed severely unplayable, the league will have the authority to either swap home and away fixtures or require the home team to secure an alternative venue.

This rule aims to enhance match quality, prevent injury, and hold stadium operators accountable for pitch conditions.

Fixture Adjustment for ACL and International Tournaments

To support clubs participating in international competitions such as the AFC Champions League (ACL) and FIFA Club World Cup, the K League will be able to adjust fixtures without requiring the opposing team's consent.

This measure is designed to strengthen the competitiveness of Korean clubs in international tournaments while ensuring league schedule stability.

Other Notable Changes

Special Player Registration Period from June 1 to June 10

The K League has decided to adopt a 10-day special player registration period, which leagues with teams participating in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 are allowed to designate. According to FIFA’s Club World Cup regulations, a league with a participating team may set a special registration period from June 1 to June 10th, allowing clubs to strengthen their squads ahead of the tournament. This special registration period will apply to all teams in the K League, not just the participating club.

Additionally, the K League’s regular registration period for this year runs from January 17th to March 27th, while the additional registration period is set from June 13th to July 24th.

Amendments to Various Regulations

Previously, free agents with six months or less remaining on their contracts could only negotiate with other clubs but were not allowed to sign contracts. Under the new amendment, contract signings will be permitted after the player's current team has played its final league match of the season.

Furthermore, players subject to the newly introduced Homegrown Player System who are 22 years old or younger (born in 2003 or later) will now be counted toward the U22 quota, the same as Korean national players.

Lastly, in consideration of extreme heat conditions during summer, "heatwaves" have been added as a reason for match postponement or suspension under the league's adverse weather regulations.

Loan System Adjustments

The maximum number of players a club can loan in or out will increase from five to six, in line with FIFA regulations. The number of players that can be loaned between two specific clubs will rise from one to three. The maximum loan duration remains at one year.

Introduction of the ‘K League Financial Manager’ System

The league will introduce a centralised financial management system to digitise, standardise, and improve the accuracy and transparency of club financial records. This system is set to launch in April 2025.