WK League News

The Korea Football Association (KFA) is preparing to launch a women’s cup competition, the ‘W Korea Cup’, in 2026. The tournament is a women’s equivalent to the men’s Korea Cup (previously known as the FA Cup) which has taken place annually since 1996. With its launch, the KFA hopes that the ‘magic of the cup’ will help increase public interest in women’s football.

Details of the W Korea Cup were revealed in an article in the December edition of Onside, the KFA’s monthly publication. In preparation for the launch of the tournament, representatives of the KFA have been observing KWFF tournaments throughout 2025, as well as gathering opinions from coaches in the women’s game. The KWFF has lent its support to the W Korea Cup, telling the KFA that it is willing to consider removing the senior division from the National Women’s Football Championship if necessary to accommodate changes to the women’s football calendar.

The inaugural edition of the W Korea Cup will feature 15 teams: the eight teams of the WK League, and seven university teams. There will be four rounds of competition, with a draw held before each round. Hwacheon KSPO will receive a bye in the first round as 2025 WK League champions.

There are still some details to be decided, such as the amount of prize money on offer for the winning team, and the location of cup matches. Kim Se-in, head of the women’s football department at the KFA, told Onside that while it is hoped that all matches will be held at the usual home ground of the home team, this may not be possible for a small number of the university teams, so there will be some degree of flexibility. Kim referred to occasions in the men’s Korea Cup when smaller teams’ home grounds have been unsuitable for cup fixtures and said that a number of potential solutions are being considered.

Speaking to Onside, Uiduk University women’s football team manager Hong Sanghyun welcomed the decision to launch the W Korea Cup. He said that while university teams frequently play practice games against WK League sides, having official matches has the potential to increase interest from the public, in particular from young girls who may be inspired to pursue football. Hong also expressed his hope that the W Korea Cup will expand in future, eventually allowing amateur teams to participate.

With many details of the competition yet to be finalised, the KFA will host a seminar in the coming weeks for coaching staff from the 15 teams that will take part in next year’s tournament, explaining plans and giving club representatives a chance to raise concerns and questions. Fans can expect to hear more about the W Korea Cup in the new year.