GS Group's sports teams are experiencing a golden era. Following the GS Caltex women's volleyball team winning both the championship and cup titles, FC Seoul has secured the K League 1 title for the first time in 10 years, bringing home three trophies this year.
On October 24, FC Seoul drew 1-1 against Gangwon FC in a home match at Seoul World Cup Stadium during the 33rd round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2026. With 67 points (20 wins, 7 draws, 6 losses), Seoul maintained a 16-point lead over second-place Ulsan Hyundai (51 points), ensuring their championship regardless of the outcomes of the remaining five matches.
This marks FC Seoul's return to the top of the league for the first time since 2016, increasing their total championship count to seven, including their time as Anyang LG. They are now tied for second place in all-time K League 1 titles.
Seoul established a commanding lead early in the season, winning their opening match against Incheon United 2-1 and achieving a franchise-first four consecutive wins to start the season. They clinched the title before entering the final round, becoming only the third team to do so, following Jeonbuk Hyundai in 2018 and 2025.
Head coach Kim Gi-dong, who took over in December 2023, led the team to its first K League title in his third year. This victory is his first championship as a head coach.
GS Group's owners were present to celebrate the victory. Heo Tae-soo, chairman of GS Group, watched the match at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the day the championship was confirmed. This is the first league title for Seoul since Heo took office in 2020.
After the match, Heo encouraged the players, stating, "During my last visit, I asked for a healthy season without injuries, and you responded with a championship after 10 years. I want to share this joy with the fans who have longed for a title."
Heo Chang-soo, chairman of GS Construction and owner of FC Seoul, has been involved with the team since 1998, playing a crucial role in its transition to FC Seoul. He visited the stadium with executives during a match against Bucheon FC 1995 on August 25.
As the team continued to perform well, attendance at home games surged. This season, the average attendance exceeded 22,000, with a record 24,122 fans attending the home opener against Gwangju FC on March 22. The match against Jeonbuk Hyundai on April 11 drew 30,068 spectators.
In addition to FC Seoul's success, GS Caltex also celebrated a championship victory this month. On October 18, they defeated Korea Expressway Corporation 3-2 (25-23, 26-28, 18-25, 25-22, 15-5) in the final of the 2026 Yeosu NH Nonghyup Cup women's volleyball tournament, reclaiming the title for the first time in three years and increasing their total championship count to seven, the most in women's volleyball history.
During the tournament, the team received support from their owner. According to GS Caltex, the players were invited by CEO Heo Se-hong to visit the 'GS Caltex Yeoulmaru' and 'Jangdo Island' on October 13, the day of their first group match, to relax and change the atmosphere. They toured the Yeoulmaru Grand Theater and rehearsal hall before crossing to Jangdo Island to view exhibitions and enjoy piano performances.
Following this, GS Caltex won all three remaining matches to secure the championship. Heo Se-hong congratulated the team immediately after their victory, expressing pride in their achievement and gratitude to the employees of the GS Caltex Yeosu plant who supported them.
Earlier, GS Caltex had also won their fourth championship in the 2025-2026 V League finals, defeating Korea Expressway Corporation in three consecutive matches. They won all six postseason matches after starting from the playoffs, marking the first time a third-place team finished the championship series undefeated.
Heo Se-hong also visited the Jangchung Gymnasium, where the third match of the finals was held, to celebrate with the team after their victory.
Central to GS Caltex's success has been foreign star Gisele Silva, who led the league in scoring (1,083 points) and overall attack success rate (47.33%) last season, becoming the first player in professional volleyball history to surpass 1,000 points in three consecutive seasons. She also earned MVP honors for both the regular season and the finals.
GS Caltex re-signed Silva in April for a fourth consecutive season, and she was a key contributor to their cup victory.
FC Seoul's season is not yet over, as they have five matches remaining in the final round. They face challenges in the Asian arena, currently sitting at the bottom of Group E in the 2026-2027 AFC Champions League with two losses. To advance to the knockout stage, they must improve their standings in the remaining four matches.
GS Caltex will open the 2026-2027 V League season against Korea Expressway Corporation on October 31, with their next goal being to secure back-to-back championships. Head coach Lee Yong-taek expressed determination at the women's media day on October 7, stating, "Given the challenges of the regular season, we will strive for a second consecutive title."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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