South Korea’s Pro Footballers Association has called on the K League to move away from its summer calendar and adopt a Fall-Spring schedule, arguing that punishing heat and a worsening climate crisis are already affecting players in a very direct way. The push, made in August, comes after record temperatures in South Korea and a survey that showed the scale of the problem across the men’s and women’s game.
The issue is not abstract. On August 2, Yangsan recorded 42.5 degrees Celsius, or 108.5 Fahrenheit, and authorities warned residents to stay indoors. The Korean baseball league was suspended for a week because of the extreme heat, while on Monday Seoul’s streak of 17 tropical nights finally ended. Against that backdrop, the KPFA says the K League needs to rethink when it plays.
Why the players want change
The association said: “The K League must transition to the Fall-Spring schedule to protect players from the worsening climate crisis and punishing summer heat,” and added that the move would help “maintain the league’s leadership within Asia and its global competitiveness.”
That is the central argument. Players are not simply asking for a different timetable; they are saying the current one is becoming harder to sustain as summer conditions intensify. The proposed switch would also bring the K League into line with Japan’s J League, the Asian Football Confederation’s Champions League Elite and most of Europe.
The survey numbers tell the story
The KPFA surveyed 536 players, and 86.2% said the heatwave placed a physical burden on them. That is a striking figure, and it helps explain why the call for change has gathered pace.
There were other signs of concern in the response too, with players pointing to the strain of competing in intense summer conditions across a long season. The 2026 K League season started on February 28 and is due to finish on December 6, which means there is little natural relief once the fixtures begin to build.
Lee Keun-ho: winter break could help players
Lee Keun-ho, the association president and former South Korea international, suggested the schedule shift could be managed with a pause during the coldest months. He said players agree that enjoying a break during winter can help them avoid injuries and maintain better physical form than having to play through multiple competitions under the scorching summer sun.
He also argued that the league should look at practical steps immediately, saying it should set up more heating devices at stadiums, install hybrid grass for pitches and make investments that can help the league for the long haul.
That wider point matters because a schedule change is not just about player comfort. It is about whether the competition can adapt to the conditions in which it now operates, while still protecting performance standards. South Korea’s severe winter remains an obstacle, but the players’ message is clear: the present model is becoming harder to defend.
For now, the debate is straightforward. The KPFA wants the K League season shifted to a Fall-Spring schedule, and it is doing so with a combination of hard data, extreme weather and player testimony. The next step will be whether the league treats the proposal as a long-term necessity or simply another warning that arrives too late.
