2016 K League Challenge

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.

Team changes
Relegated from K League Classic
 * Daejeon Citizen
 * Busan IPark

Promoted to K League Classic
 * Sangju Sangmu
 * Suwon FC

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.

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.

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''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.''

Attendance
Attendants who entered with free ticket were not counted.

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)