List of KBO League seasons explained

This is a list of KBO League seasons, providing the final ranking of teams in the KBO League at the end of each season, based on the final regular-season standings plus postseason play including the Korea Series. Sections below are divided based on the number of teams in the league and the season format:

No. of Teams:
Season format:From 1982 to 1988, the regular season was divided into two — a spring season and a fall season — with a first-half pennant winner and a latter-half pennant winner. In 1999–2000, the KBO had two divisions of four teams each — the Dream League and the Magic League. From 1989 to 1998, and from 2001 onward, the KBO featured a single division.

1982–1985: 6 teams, 2 half-seasons

The league began play in 1982 with six teams. There were no changes to the league through 1985, except for the Sammi Superstars being renamed as the Chungbo Pintos that season.

Yearwidth=5% Half-season123456
19821stOB BearsSamsung LionsHaitai TigersLotte GiantsSammi Superstars
2ndSamsung LionsOB BearsMBC ChungyongLotte GiantsHaitai TigersSammi Superstars
OverallOB BearsSamsung LionsMBC ChungyongHaitai TigersLotte GiantsSammi Superstars
19831stHaitai TigersSammi SuperstarsMBC ChungyongLotte GiantsSamsung LionsOB Bears
2ndMBC ChungyongSammi SuperstarsSamsung LionsHaitai TigersOB BearsLotte Giants
OverallHaitai TigersMBC ChungyongSammi SuperstarsSamsung LionsOB BearsLotte Giants
19841stSamsung LionsOB BearsMBC ChungyongLotte GiantsHaitai TigersSammi Superstars
2ndLotte GiantsHaitai TigersMBC ChungyongOB BearsSamsung LionsSammi Superstars
OverallLotte GiantsSamsung LionsOB BearsMBC ChungyongHaitai TigersSammi Superstars
19851stSamsung LionsOB BearsHaitai TigersLotte GiantsMBC ChungyongChungbo Pintos
2ndSamsung LionsLotte GiantsHaitai Tigers MBC ChungyongOB BearsChungbo Pintos
OverallSamsung LionsLotte GiantsHaitai TigersOB BearsMBC ChungyongChungbo Pintos

1986–1988: 7 teams, 2 half-seasons

The league expanded to seven teams in 1986 with the addition of the Binggrae Eagles. In 1988, the Chungbo Pintos were renamed the Pacific Dolphins.

YearHalf-season1234567
19861stSamsung LionsHaitai TigersLotte GiantsMBC ChungyongOB BearsChungbo PintosBinggrae Eagles
2ndOB BearsHaitai TigersMBC ChungyongSamsung LionsLotte GiantsBinggrae EaglesChungbo Pintos
OverallHaitai TigersSamsung LionsMBC ChungyongOB BearsLotte GiantsChungbo PintosBinggrae Eagles
19871stSamsung LionsOB BearsHaitai TigersLotte GiantsMBC ChungyongBinggrae EaglesChungbo Pintos
2ndSamsung LionsHaitai TigersLotte GiantsOB BearsMBC ChungyongBinggrae EaglesChungbo Pintos
OverallHaitai TigersSamsung LionsLotte GiantsOB BearsMBC ChungyongBinggrae EaglesChungbo Pintos
19881stHaitai TigersBinggrae EaglesOB BearsLotte GiantsSamsung LionsPacific DolphinsMBC Chungyong
2ndHaitai TigersSamsung LionsBinggrae Eagles Lotte GiantsOB BearsMBC ChungyongPacific Dolphins
OverallHaitai TigersBinggrae EaglesLotte GiantsSamsung LionsOB BearsMBC ChungyongPacific Dolphins

1989–1990: 7 teams

The league discontinued half-season schedules for the 1989 season, while maintaining the same teams. In 1990, MBC Chungyong was renamed LG Twins.

Year1234567
1989Haitai TigersBinggrae EaglesPacific DolphinsSamsung LionsOB BearsMBC ChungyongLotte Giants
1990LG TwinsSamsung LionsHaitai TigersBinggrae EaglesPacific DolphinsLotte GiantsOB Bears

1991–1998: 8 teams

The league expanded to eight teams with the addition of the Ssangbangwool Raiders in 1991. In 1994, the Binggrae Eagles were renamed the Hanwha Eagles, and in 1996, the Pacific Dolphins were renamed the Hyundai Unicorns.

Year12345678
1991Haitai TigersBinggrae EaglesSamsung LionsLotte GiantsPacific DolphinsLG TwinsSsangbangwool RaidersOB Bears
1992Lotte GiantsBinggrae EaglesHaitai TigersSamsung LionsOB BearsPacific DolphinsLG TwinsSsangbangwool Raiders
1993Haitai TigersSamsung LionsOB BearsLG TwinsBinggrae EaglesLotte GiantsSsangbangwool RaidersPacific Dolphins
1994LG TwinsPacific DolphinsHanwha EaglesHaitai TigersSamsung LionsLotte GiantsOB BearsSsangbangwool Raiders
1995OB BearsLotte GiantsLG TwinsHaitai TigersSamsung LionsHanwha EaglesPacific DolphinsSsangbangwool Raiders
1996Haitai TigersHyundai UnicornsSsangbangwool RaidersHanwha EaglesLotte GiantsSamsung LionsLG TwinsOB Bears
1997Haitai TigersLG TwinsSsangbangwool RaidersSamsung LionsOB BearsHyundai UnicornsHanwha EaglesLotte Giants
1998Hyundai UnicornsLG TwinsSamsung LionsOB BearsHaitai TigersSsangbangwool RaidersHanwha EaglesLotte Giants

1999–2000: 8 teams, 2 divisions

In 1999, the OB Bears were renamed the Doosan Bears. The Ssangbangwool Raiders dissolved after the 1999 season, and were replaced in 2000 by SK Wyverns. During these two seasons, the league operated with two divisions of four teams each.

DivisionDream LeagueMagic League
Year12341234
1999Doosan BearsLotte GiantsHyundai UnicornsHaitai TigersSamsung LionsHanwha EaglesLG TwinsSsangbangwool Raiders
2000Hyundai UnicornsDoosan BearsSamsung LionsHaitai TigersLG TwinsLotte GiantsHanwha EaglesSK Wyverns

2001–2012: 8 teams

The league discontinued use of divisions in 2001. The Hyundai Unicorns dissolved after the 2007 season, and were replaced in 2008 by the Woori Heroes. Due to issues with sponsorship, the team was known simply as "Heroes" for part of that season and all of the 2009 season, then became the Nexen Heroes in 2010.

Year12345678
2001Doosan BearsSamsung LionsHyundai UnicornsHanwha EaglesKIA TigersLG TwinsSK WyvernsLotte Giants
2002Samsung LionsLG TwinsKIA TigersHyundai UnicornsDoosan BearsSK WyvernsHanwha EaglesLotte Giants
2003Hyundai UnicornsSK WyvernsKIA TigersSamsung LionsHanwha EaglesLG TwinsDoosan BearsLotte Giants
2004Hyundai UnicornsSamsung LionsDoosan BearsKIA TigersSK WyvernsLG TwinsHanwha EaglesLotte Giants
2005Samsung LionsDoosan BearsSK WyvernsHanwha EaglesLotte GiantsLG TwinsHyundai UnicornsKIA Tigers
2006Samsung LionsHanwha EaglesHyundai UnicornsKIA TigersDoosan BearsSK WyvernsLotte GiantsLG Twins
2007SK WyvernsDoosan BearsHanwha EaglesSamsung LionsLG TwinsHyundai UnicornsLotte GiantsKIA Tigers
2008SK WyvernsDoosan BearsLotte GiantsSamsung LionsHanwha EaglesKIA TigersHeroesLG Twins
2009KIA TigersSK WyvernsDoosan BearsLotte GiantsSamsung LionsHeroesLG TwinsHanwha Eagles
2010SK WyvernsSamsung LionsDoosan BearsLotte GiantsKIA TigersLG TwinsNexen HeroesHanwha Eagles
2011Samsung LionsSK WyvernsLotte GiantsKIA TigersDoosan BearsHanwha EaglesLG TwinsNexen Heroes
2012Samsung LionsSK WyvernsDoosan BearsLotte GiantsKIA TigersNexen HeroesLG TwinsHanwha Eagles

2013–2014: 9 teams

The league expanded to nine teams in 2013 with the addition of NC Dinos.

Year123456789
2013Samsung LionsDoosan BearsLG TwinsNexen HeroesLotte GiantsSK WyvernsNC DinosKIA TigersHanwha Eagles
2014Samsung LionsNexen HeroesNC DinosLG TwinsSK WyvernsDoosan BearsLotte GiantsKIA TigersHanwha Eagles

2015–present: 10 teams

The league expanded to 10 teams in 2015 with the addition of KT Wiz. In 2019, the Nexen Heroes we renamed as the Kiwoom Heroes, and in 2021, SK Wyverns were renamed as SSG Landers.

Year12345678910
2015Doosan BearsSamsung LionsNC DinosNexen HeroesSK WyvernsHanwha EaglesKIA TigersLotte GiantsLG TwinsKT Wiz
2016Doosan BearsNC DinosNexen HeroesLG TwinsKIA Tigers SK WyvernsHanwha EaglesLotte GiantsSamsung LionsKT Wiz
2017KIA Tigers Doosan BearsLotte GiantsNC DinosSK WyvernsLG TwinsNexen HeroesHanwha EaglesSamsung LionsKT Wiz
2018SK WyvernsDoosan BearsHanwha EaglesNexen HeroesKIA TigersSamsung LionsLotte GiantsLG TwinsKT WizNC Dinos
2019Doosan BearsKiwoom HeroesSK WyvernsLG TwinsNC DinosKT WizKIA TigersSamsung LionsHanwha EaglesLotte Giants
2020NC DinosDoosan BearsKT WizLG TwinsKiwoom HeroesKIA TigersLotte GiantsSamsung LionsSK WyvernsHanwha Eagles
2021KT WizDoosan BearsSamsung LionsLG TwinsKiwoom HeroesSSG LandersNC DinosLotte GiantsKIA TigersHanwha Eagles
2022KT WizDoosan BearsSamsung LionsLG TwinsKiwoom HeroesSSG LandersNC DinosLotte GiantsKIA TigersHanwha Eagles
2023KT WIzDoosan BearsSamsung LionsLG TwinsKiwoom HeroesSSG LandersNC DinosLotte GiantsKIA TigersHanwha Eagles
2024In progress