Gwangju FC Faces Relegation Threat And Cup Dream Clash

The race for survival in the 2025 K League 1 has reached a fever pitch, and no club is feeling the pressure more than Gwangju FC. As the regular season winds down and the playoff rounds loom, Gwangju finds itself teetering on the edge—caught between dreams of cup glory and the harsh reality of a relegation battle. For head coach Lee Jung-hyo and his squad, the coming weeks could define the club’s legacy for years to come.

Let’s set the scene: after 33 rounds, Gwangju FC sits tied on points with FC Anyang, both locked at 42, but unable to catch sixth-placed Gangwon FC, who hold 44 points. That slim gap proved insurmountable, dashing Gwangju’s hopes of reaching the coveted ‘Final A’ playoff group. Instead, they’re now entrenched in the ‘Final B’ group—a place no club wants to be, especially this year. Why? Because the fight to avoid relegation is as tight as it gets, with just four points separating Gwangju from 10th-placed Suwon FC, and only two points above ninth-placed Ulsan HD (40 points).

It’s a precarious situation. The bottom club, Daegu FC, trails by 15 points, so direct relegation isn’t a concern for Gwangju. But the specter of the promotion-relegation playoff looms large. If Gwangju slips to 10th or lower, they’ll be forced into a do-or-die playoff against a hungry challenger from the Korea Challenge League. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

What makes this situation even more complicated is the club’s off-field struggle to secure a K League license. Gwangju FC is currently unable to obtain the necessary license due to unresolved issues, particularly those related to rounds seven through nine. The club has no immediate plans to convene a meeting to address these licensing challenges, adding another layer of uncertainty to their future. With three rounds left in the league and a squad that now features eight new signings—including several players with Asia Cup experience—the pressure is on to resolve these issues and solidify their place in the top flight.

Coach Lee Jung-hyo, who has already etched his name in Gwangju’s history books by guiding the club to a third-place finish in the K League and a quarterfinal appearance in the AFC Champions League Elite, knows what’s at stake. According to Sports Seoul, "Lee Jung-hyo’s efforts to reach Final A were all about preparing for the Korea Cup by sparring with strong teams at the top. Now, that plan has been thrown out the window." The club’s focus must now shift to surviving the Final B gauntlet, with every match carrying enormous weight.

Gwangju’s upcoming fixtures are a gauntlet in themselves. The 34th round kicks off on October 25, 2025, as Gwangju hosts FC Anyang at Gwangju World Cup Stadium—a match that could very well decide which of these two clubs will avoid the dreaded 10th spot. The 35th round follows on November 2, with Gwangju facing Jeju SK at home. Then, on November 8, the team travels to Daegu for the 36th round, a match that could be pivotal for both sides’ survival hopes. These three games are crucial; come out on top, and Gwangju can breathe easier. Falter, and the relegation playoff becomes a grim reality.

But that’s not all that’s on Gwangju’s plate. The club has also punched its ticket to the Korea Cup final, set for December 6, 2025, where they’ll take on K League 1 champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. It’s a massive opportunity—Gwangju has never lifted the Korea Cup before, and a win would be a historic first. However, if the club is dragged into the relegation playoff, their preparations for the final could be derailed, as survival in the league would take precedence over cup ambitions.

"Gwangju must avoid the relegation playoff to focus on winning the Korea Cup," notes Sports Seoul. The club’s management and fans alike are keenly aware that balancing these dual objectives—survival and silverware—will require nerves of steel and flawless execution on and off the pitch.

The broader context of the 2025 K League 1 season only adds to the drama. The Korea Professional Football League announced the full playoff and final round schedule on October 20, 2025. The season is split into 38 rounds, with the final five rounds—the ‘Final Round’—divided into two groups of six teams each: Final A (the top six) and Final B (the bottom six). While Jeonbuk Hyundai has already clinched its 10th league title, the fight for AFC Champions League spots and league survival remains wide open.

For Gwangju, the schedule is relentless. After facing Anyang, Jeju, and Daegu, the club will host Ulsan HD on November 22 for the 37th round, before wrapping up the season away at Suwon FC on November 30. Each of these matches carries high stakes, with multiple clubs still in danger of slipping into the relegation zone. The 37th round, in particular, could be a make-or-break fixture, as Gwangju’s clash with Ulsan HD may directly determine which club avoids the playoff trapdoor.

Meanwhile, the pressure to resolve licensing issues continues to mount. Without a K League license, Gwangju’s future in the top division is anything but secure, regardless of their on-field results. The club’s leadership must act swiftly to address these challenges, or risk being excluded from next season’s competition altogether—a nightmare scenario for players, staff, and supporters.

Interestingly, Gwangju’s predicament is emblematic of the broader volatility in K League 1 this season. With so many clubs bunched together at the bottom, every point is precious, and every mistake could prove costly. The league’s structure, which splits teams into upper and lower groups for the final rounds, ensures that there are no easy matches and no guaranteed outcomes. The drama is set to unfold over the next several weeks, with fans across the country watching every twist and turn.

Looking ahead, Gwangju’s immediate priority is clear: secure enough points in the remaining three rounds to avoid 10th place and the relegation playoff. Only then can the club turn its full attention to preparing for the Korea Cup final—a match that could deliver the first major trophy in Gwangju’s history. But with unresolved licensing issues hanging over their heads and a fiercely competitive relegation battle underway, the road ahead is anything but straightforward.

As the 2025 K League 1 season enters its decisive phase, Gwangju FC finds itself at a crossroads. The coming matches will test their resolve, their unity, and their ability to rise above adversity. For coach Lee Jung-hyo and his players, the message is simple: survive now, and the chance for glory awaits. The next few weeks promise high drama, and for Gwangju, every moment counts.