The 2016 K League Challenge was the fourth season of the K League 2, the second-highest division in the South Korean football league system. Originally, K League Challenge champions could be promoted to the K League Classic, but Ansan Mugunghwa lost its qualification for the promotion after Ansan Government decided to break up with police football team from next year. Runners-up Daegu FC directly qualified for the Classic instead of champions Ansan Mugunghwa, and third, fourth and fifth-placed team advanced to the promotion playoffs.
Relegated from K League Classic
Promoted to K League Classic
<small>Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.</small>
Restricting the number of foreign players strictly to four per team, including a slot for a player from AFC countries. A team could use four foreign players on the field each game.
<onlyinclude></onlyinclude>
<br />
The promotion-relegation playoffs were held between the winners of the 2016 K League Challenge playoffs and the 11th-placed club of the 2016 K League Classic. The winner on aggregate score after both matches earned entry into the 2017 K League Classic.
-----
1âÂÂ1 on aggregate. Gangwon FC won on away goals and were promoted to the K League Classic, while Seongnam FC were relegated to the K League Challenge.
Attendants who entered with free ticket were not counted.
The 2016 K League Awards was held on 8 November 2016.