KBO League Begins 45th Season with New Rules

The 2026 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League, the 45th season in the history of the KBO League, is underway. The league will feature the same ten teams as the previous season: the Kia Tigers, Doosan Bears, Lotte Giants, NC Dinos, LG Twins, Hanwha Eagles, KT Wiz, Samsung Lions, SSG Landers, and the Kiwoom Heroes. The LG Twins enter the season as the defending champions.

This season will consist of 144 games per team, beginning with games at five stadiums across the country on March 28th. Fierce competition is expected from the opening series as early season performance can determine the direction of the ranking competition.

Opening Series Matchups

• KIA vs. SSG (Munhak)
• KT vs. LG (Jamsil)
• Lotte vs. Samsung (Daegu)
• Doosan vs. NC (Changwon)
• Kiwoom vs. Hanwha (Daejeon)

KIA Tigers Seek to Reclaim Glory

The KIA Tigers, after winning the championship in 2024 and finishing 8th last year, are focused on restoring their honor in coach Lee Beom-ho’s third year. The team is aiming to move beyond a simple rebound in the rankings and regain their status as a strong contender.

Winter training in Japan focused on refining the team’s strengths through exhibition games. This process involved reorganizing existing resources and evaluating new players.

Key Additions and Expectations

The Tigers are looking to fill the gaps left by the departures of Choi Hyung-woo and Park Chan-ho. They are placing high hopes on young players and their new foreign acquisitions.

“Castro, a batting lineup reinforcement card, is a variable that will determine the weight of the attack.”

Castro is expected to provide both power and clutch hitting. Shortstop Dale will anchor the infield defense, with a focus on stability and reducing errors.

Kim Do-young, a key hitter, is expected to play a significant role, having shown potential for a rebound with his recent performance. Kim Ho-ryeong, who excelled in exhibition games, has established himself as a key offensive and defensive player. Park Min, a third baseman, adds further flexibility to the team’s options.

Pitching Staff Ready for Action

The pitching staff will be led by Nail and Oller. Nail has established himself as a top pitcher in the league, whereas Oller recorded 10 wins last year. Their performance will be crucial from the start of the season.

The bullpen has been strengthened with the additions of Kim Beom-soo and Hong Geun-hee, along with the retention of Cho Sang-woo and Lee Jun-young. Hong Min-gyu, a compensation player, adds further depth.

Upcoming Schedule

In the opening match against SSG, Nail and White will be the starting pitchers. The home opener at Gwangju Kia Champions Field will be a three-game series against NC on April 3rd.