Seongnam Football Club (Korean: 성남 FC) is a South Korean professional football club based in Seongnam competing in K League 2, the second tier of the South Korean football league system. It is one of the most successful clubs in South Korea and the Asian Football Confederation, having won the K League 1 seven times and the AFC Champions League twice. The club was ranked fifth in the IFFHS Asian Clubs of the 20th century ranking.
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History
Ilhwa Chunma era (1989–2013)
In 1975, Sun Myung Moon, the owner of Tongil Group, wanted to found a professional football club in South Korea. After the Korean Super League was founded in 1983, he tried to establish a club to participate in the league, but Choi Soon-young, the head of Korea Football Association, ignored Moon's interest due to religious reasons.
Nevertheless, Tongil Group prepared the foundation of a new football club from 1986 and finally obtained a license from the KFA as a club based in Seoul. Tongil Group had initially considered establishing the club in the Honam region, but could not do so due to objection from the local community.
The club was officially founded on 18 March 1989 as Ilhwa Chunma Football Club, and became the sixth member of the Korean Super League. The foundation ceremony was held in the Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul.
The club had signed six players including Ko Jeong-woon and appointed Park Jong-hwan as the head coach. The contract with Park was considered a lucrative deal at the time, with a signing bonus of 100 million KRW paid alongside an annual salary of 48 million KRW.
The club was successful from its beginning, winning its first League Cup three years after its foundation in 1992 and winning three consecutive league titles from 1993 to 1995. In 1995, K League clubs wanted to stop the club's third consecutive title and agreed to change the league format back to two stages with a championship playoffs system; however, Ilhwa Chunma still won the title.
The club won its first Asian title in the same year, defeating Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in the final to achieve a league and continental double.
The club was forced to move out of Seoul in 1996 following the implementation of the K League decentralization policy. Ilhwa Chunma moved to the city of Cheonan as the city council proposed converting the Cheonan Oryong Stadium into a football-specific stadium and building another sports complex in Baekseok-dong. The club also changed its name to Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma as a part of the policy.
Seongnam FC era (2014–present)
In October 2013, Lee Jae-myung, the mayor of Seongnam, announced that Seongnam City Council had agreed to take over the club from Ilhwa Sports, and that it would henceforth be known as Seongnam FC. In December 2013, Seongnam City officially took over the club from Ilhwa Co., Ltd.
Seongnam changed its symbol from the cheonma, which was the symbol of the Unification Church, to the magpie, the symbol of the Seongnam City. The club's yellow uniform was also changed to black. Park Jong-hwan, who had managed the club from 1988 to 1996, became manager once again.
The club played the first home game as Seongnam FC on 15 March 2014 against FC Seoul, resulting in a 0–0 draw. The first post-rebranding victory came on 26 March, when they beat bitter rivals Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2–0. The following month, manager Park Jong-hwan resigned after it was revealed that he had been assaulting players.
After months of confusion, the club appointed Kim Hak-bum, who led the club during their glory years, as manager. His return turned out to be a success, as Seongnam not only escaped relegation but also won their third FA Cup trophy, beating FC Seoul in a penalty shoot-out.
In the 2016 season, after Incheon's win over Suwon FC on the final day of the season, Seongnam finished 11th and were relegated to the second division for the first time in their history after being defeated by Gangwon FC on away goals rule in the promotion-relegation playoffs.
Nam Ki-il was announced as the club's new manager on 6 December 2017, replacing Park Kyung-hoon. He led Seongnam FC to promotion back to the first division just one season after their relegation. Nam resigned his position as the manager of the club on 16 December 2019. Kim Nam-il was appointed as the club's new manager on 23 December 2019 to lead the club in the 2020 K League 1 season.
In 2022, the club was once again relegated to K League 2. The club finished the 2024 K League 2 season at the bottom of the league table, but remained in the league as there is no promotion and relegation between K League 2 and K3 League.
Stadium and facilities
The club has played their home games in Tancheon Stadium in Yatap-dong, Bundang District, since 2005. The stadium earned the nickname "Tancheon Fortress" (탄천요새) in the 2000s due to the club's successful home record in the AFC Champions League.
The modern Seongnam Football Center in nearby Jeongja-dong, which serves as the club's training ground, was completed in December 2021, having been built at a cost of 26 billion won. It includes a natural grass training field, sauna, weight room, physical therapy room, and medical facilities.
Historical
Seongnam previously played their home games in the Cheonan Oryong Stadium when the club was based in Cheonan. On 22 August 1998, Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma had to finish the game against Jeonnam Dragons during the penalty shoot-out, after 1–1 draw in extra time. According to K League regulations back then, teams were required to decide the winner with the golden goal or the penalty shoot-out after the extra time, if the match score is level at the end of normal time. Since the stadium was not equipped with a floodlight system, they had to finish their games before sunset. Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma won the game by a draw.
Supporters and rivalries
The club's main supporters group is called Black List. They cheer at the Black Zone stand in the north end of their stadium. Supporters of Seongnam have worked to protect the club amid rumors of its departure or dissolution. The club draws supporters from not only Seongnam itself but also nearby Hanam, Yongin, Gwangju, and southeastern Seoul.
Seongnam's biggest rival team is Suwon Samsung Bluewings. Their rivalry has been dubbed the Magyedaejeon.
Current squad
As of 18 August 2026
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Honours
Domestic
K League 1
Winners (7): 1993, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006
Runners-up (3): 1992, 2007, 2009
K League 2
Runners-up (1): 2018
Korean FA Cup
Winners (3): 1999, 2011, 2014
Runners-up (3): 1997, 2000, 2009
Korean League Cup
Winners (3): 1992, 2002, 2004
Runners-up (3): 1995, 2000, 2006
Korean Super Cup
Winners (1): 2002
Runners-up (2): 2000, 2004
President's Cup
Winners (1): 1999
International
Asian Club Championship/AFC Champions League Elite
Winners (2): 1995, 2010
Runners-up (2): 1996–97, 2004
Asian Super Cup
Winners (1): 1996
A3 Champions Cup
Winners (1): 2004
FIFA Club World Cup
Fourth place (1): 2010
Afro-Asian Club Championship
Winners (1): 1996
Season-by-season records
Key
Tms. = Number of teams
Pos. = Position in league