South Korean players advocate for K League schedule change amid heat wave
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 14, 2026, 7:19 AM
Last updated Aug 14, 2026
The Pro Footballers Association of South Korea is urging the K League to shift its season to a Fall-Spring model to protect players from extreme summer heat, with temperatures reaching record highs in August. The association cited a recent survey showing over 86% of players feeling physical burden from the heat, with symptoms including dizziness and dehydration. The current K League season is set to end on December 6 but may be impacted by worsening climate conditions and necessary changes for player safety. Suggestions include competition pauses during winter months and improvements in stadium infrastructure.
- •K League season currently runs from February 28 to December 6.
- •Yangsan recorded a temperature of 42.5 degrees Celsius this month.
- •86.2% of surveyed players experienced physical strain due to heat.
- •Players suggest winter breaks to reduce injuries and improve performance.
- •The Korean baseball league was suspended for a week related to heat.
- 7:19 AMYahoo Sports — South Korea soccer players push for a K League season shift as heat punishes summer matches
"South Korea’s Pro Footballers Association is calling on the K League to overhaul the domestic soccer season to avoid playing during the height of summer, as local temperatures reached record highs in August. “The K League must transition to the Fall-Spring schedule to protect players from the worsening climate crisis and punishing summer heat,” the KPFA said in a statement this week, “and to maintain the league’s leadership within Asia and its global competitiveness.” The high temperatures also had an impact on the size of the crowd for Manchester City's friendly exhibition against a K League All Star team last week, although the Premier League club's pre-season exhibition win over Atlético Madrid attracted a full crowd on Sunday.
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