The 33rd annual Queen’s National Women’s Football Championship (여왕기 전국여자축구대회) kicks off today in Gyeongsangnam-do. The tournament was established in 1993 as part of efforts to revive football for women and girls in South Korea, following the success of women’s football at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing. The first edition of the Championship (henceforth QNWFC) saw seventeen teams representing the best of women’s and girls’ football from across the country competing over a number of days in Seoul. Over the past thirty-three years, it has cemented itself as one of the major events of the Korean women’s football calendar.
This year’s QNWFC takes place over the coming ten days in Gyeongnam’s Hapcheon County, which has hosted the event since 2023, and is set to do so until at least 2027. Over 1600 young footballers will participate, between them representing 47 football clubs and academies from all over South Korea. There are four age group divisions, referred to as Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and University, although not all participating teams are attached to a school, as more independent girls’ football academies are established. The QNWFC previously included a senior (semi-professional) division as well, but it was scrapped after 2007 to make way for the launch of a pilot semi-pro league that went on to become the WK League as we know it today.
The three school-age divisions each begin with a group stage, with the first- and second- placed teams from each group progressing to a knockout tournament. Meanwhile, the university teams will play in a league, with all six participating teams playing each other over the course of the tournament. With teams from football academies across the country gathered in one place, the QNWFC is an opportunity to see many of the up-and-coming talents of Korean women’s football. Tournaments such as this one are an opportunity for youth players too, as standout performances may attract the attention of a WK League club or national team coaches.
Matches are taking place at Hapcheon Citizens’ Sports Park and Hapcheon Gongseol Stadium at various times in the evening throughout the tournament. All the pitches in use for the competition are within a few minutes’ walking distance of each other, so for any supporters and spectators able to make the trip to Hapcheon, it should be possible to take in plenty of action. All matches will also be broadcast via iTop21Sports on YouTube.
For schedule details in English, check the WK League News Google Calendar. For a full schedule and further updates, be sure to follow the Korean Women’s Football Federation on social media.
2025 Queen’s National Women’s Football Tournament participating teams
Elementary School (U12) division
Group 1
Daejeon Cheondong E.S.
Gyeongnam Myeongseo E.S.
Gyeongnam Namgang E.S.
Group 3
Chungbuk Namsan E.S.
Gyeongbuk Sangdae E.S.
Seoul W.F.C.
Group 2
Seoul Wooyi E.S.
Daegu Sangin E.S.
Ulsan Seobu E.S.
Group 4
Jeonnam Gwangyang Central E.S.
Gyeonggi Ansun G Sports Club
Gangwon Gangneung F.C.
Busan IPark
Middle School (U15) division
Group 1
Gyeongnam Jinju Girls’ M.S.
East Jeju M.S.
Jeonbuk P.E. M.S.
Incheon Gajeong Girls M.S.
Group 3
Daejeon Hanbat Girls’ M.S.
Seoul Hummel W.F.C.
Gyeonggi Danwol M.S.
Chungbuk Yesung Girls’ M.S.
Group 2
Hyundai Chungeun M.S.
Gyeonggi Seolbong M.S.
Jeonnam Gwangyang M.S.
Gangwon Gangneung F.C.
Group 4
Sejong Public Sports Club
Daegu Sangwon M.S.
Chungnam Ganggyeong Girls’ M.S.
Pohang Hangdo M.S.
High School (U18) division
Group 1
Daegu Dongbu H.S.
Gangwon Gangneung F.C.
Jeonnam Gwangyang Girls’ H.S.
Pohang Electronic Girls’ H.S.
Group 2
Gyeongnam Robotics H.S.
Daejeon Hanbit H.S.
Chungnam Internet H.S.
Incheon Design H.S.
Group 3
Seoul Dongsan H.S.
Ulsan Hyundai H.S.
Chungbuk Yesung Girls’ H.S.
Gyeonggi Osan I.C.T. H.S.
University division
Daeduk University (Daejeon)
Daekyeung University (Gyeongbuk)
Gangwon State University
Korea University (Sejong)
Uiduk University (Gyeongbuk)
Ulsan College (Ulsan)
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