2016 K League Challenge
The 2016 K League Challenge was the fourth season of the K League Challenge, the second tier South Korean professional league for association football clubs since its establishment in 2013. Top-ranked team (excluding Ansan Mugunghwa) gained promotion to the K League Classic and the promotion play-offs among three clubs ranked between 2nd and 4th place was held after the regular season ends. Teams. Sangju Sangmu FC, the champions of the 2015 K League Challenge, and Suwon FC, promotion series winners, were promoted to the 2016 K League Classic, then Daejeon Citizen and Busan IPark  were relegated from the top tier. A total of eleven teams contested in the league. Stadiums. Primary venues used in the K League Challenge: 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. "As of 1 August 2016". League table. <onlyinclude></onlyinclude> Promotion-Relegation Playoffs. Promotion and relegation playoffs will be held between 3rd~5th clubs of 2016 K League Challenge and 11th club of 2016 K League Classic. If scores are tied after regular  time at Semi-Playoff and Playoff, the higher placed team advances to the next phase. The same conditions do not apply to Promotion-Relegation Playoffs. Promotion-Relegation Playoffs. Second leg. "Gangwon FC secure promotion to the 2016 K League Classic season, 1:1 on aggregate with away goals." Awards. Season Awards. The 2016 K League Awards was held on 8 November 2016.