All KBO Champions by Year: South Korean Baseball Winners

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) was founded in 1982 and has since become one of Asia's leading professional baseball leagues. Its main trophy is awarded in the Korean Series, where the strongest teams from the regular season and playoffs compete. Ten clubs have won the championship during the league's history, while some have remained dominant for several consecutive seasons. This article lists every KBO champion and runner-up by year and explores the competition's key records.

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All KBO champions and runners-up by year

The Korean Series has been held since the inaugural KBO season in 1982. In its modern format, the final is played as a best-of-seven series, although championship rules differed in the early years. The only exception was 1985, when the Samsung Lions won both halves of the regular season and were crowned champions without a final series.

Below is the complete list of KBO winners since the league's foundation, their finals opponents and each series result.

The most successful team in KBO history

The KIA Tigers hold the record for the most championships. Including their years under the former Haitai Tigers name, the club has won South Korea's top baseball title 12 times. Their most successful period came in the 1980s, when they claimed four consecutive championships from 1986 through 1989. That achievement remains a KBO record.

The Samsung Lions rank second with eight championships, including four consecutive victories between 2011 and 2014. The Doosan Bears are third with six titles, counting the period when they were called the OB Bears. Their most recent title came in 2019, when they defeated the Kiwoom Heroes 4:0.

Which teams have reached the most KBO finals?

The Samsung Lions lead in Korean Series appearances, reaching the final 18 times, with seven victories and 11 defeats. They also won the championship in 1985 without a deciding series.

Doosan Bears are second with 15 finals, including their years as the OB Bears. The club has won six titles and lost nine finals. The KIA Tigers are particularly notable for winning all 12 finals they have played.