The ‘FC Mobile’ discipline of the 2026 Korea Esports League (2026 KEL) will start its first match on May 16 at the Gyeongnam Esports Permanent Stadium in Jinju, Gyeongnam.
Launched last year to foster regional esports talent and enhance local competitiveness, the KEL also aims to train professionals and create job opportunities. Offline matches will be held in Busan, Gwangju, Gyeongnam (Jinju), and Daejeon in collaboration with regional esports stadiums.
A total of 24 players from 12 regional teams will compete in the 2026 KEL ‘FC Mobile’ discipline. These teams include Incheon Wave, GJ.Maestro, Daejeon Tom and Jerry, FN Sejong, Gyeonggi Inate, Chungnam CNJ, Jeonnam Esports, Gyeongbuk Ascenders, Next Gyeongnam, Goyang Mir, Yangju Whales, and Jecheon Phalanx.
The group stage begins on May 16 at the Gyeongnam Esports Permanent Stadium and concludes on June 14 after the sixth matchday. Matches will be played in groups of six, with a double round-robin format for a total of 120 games. The top two players from each group advance to the finals. Additionally, the highest scorer and the player with the fewest goals conceded on each matchday will receive equal shares of the group stage prize pool.
The finals to determine the ultimate regional champion will take place on June 27–28 at the Busan Esports Stadium in Busanjin-gu, Busan. The finals will use a single-elimination format for the quarterfinals on day one, followed by the semifinals and final on day two. The top two players in the finals will earn seeds for the FC Mobile Global Championship as South Korean representatives. The total prize pool is 20 million KRW. The first-place team will receive the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award, the second-place team the Korea Creative Content Agency Award, and the third-place team the Korea e-Sports Association Award.
The first week of group stage matches will be held on May 16–17 at noon at the Gyeongnam Esports Permanent Stadium. Admission is free and no advance reservation is required. After the matches, on-site spectators can participate in a drawing to win a Sidiz GX gaming chair and coupons for Kubrago Charcoal Chicken.
Online events are also planned. In-game items will be distributed via coupons during live broadcasts, and viewers on Naver Chzzk will receive drops rewards. Furthermore, users who subscribe to the KEL official channel and post a proof-of-watching photo during the live broadcast can enter a draw for Kubrago Charcoal Chicken coupons.
The opening match of the 2026 KEL FC Mobile is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, co-hosted by the Korea e-Sports Association and Nexon Korea, and sponsored by the Gyeongnam Esports Permanent Stadium, SK Telecom, Kubrago Charcoal Chicken, and the Korea Creative Content Agency.
