Kia Tigers — professional baseball club from Gwangju, South Korea
Kia Tigers are a KBO League baseball team from Gwangju, founded in 1982 as the Haitai Tigers. They have won the Korean Series a record 11 times and play at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field.
The Kia Tigers are a professional baseball team based in Gwangju, South Korea, competing in the KBO League. Established in 1982 as the Haitai Tigers, the club became the Kia Tigers after ownership changed in 2001 when the Kia corporation acquired the franchise. Over four decades the team has been one of the most successful and recognizable clubs in Korean professional baseball.
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History and achievements
The Tigers enjoyed a period of dominance in the 1980s and 1990s under the original Haitai ownership, collecting multiple league championships and building a reputation for consistent success. As of their latest title wins, the club has claimed the Korean Series championship 11 times, the most of any team in the league. Their championship seasons include an extended run in the 1980s and further victories in later decades.
- Championship years: 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2009, 2017.
The Tigers’ record in Korean Series appearances is notable: the franchise has captured more titles than any other KBO team and has maintained an undefeated outcome in the finals across its championship appearances, an uncommon feat in the league.
Stadiums and home city
From their founding through 2013 the team played at Mudeung Baseball Stadium in Gwangju. In the 2010s the club moved to a modern ballpark, the Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, also located in Gwangju. The ballpark has become a focal point for the team’s local supporters and for baseball activity in the region; the club remains closely associated with the city’s sporting identity. Learn more about the club’s home region and facilities here.
The Tigers’ long history, frequent championship runs and deep roots in Gwangju have produced a large and dedicated fanbase. The franchise is often discussed for its impact on the development of professional baseball in Korea and for sustaining competitive teams across multiple eras, both under Haitai and later Kia ownership.
Today the Kia Tigers continue to be a prominent presence in the KBO, blending historic tradition with modern organization, and remain one of the most decorated and widely recognized clubs in South Korean baseball.
Questions and answers
Q: What is the Kia Tigers?
A: The Kia Tigers is a professional baseball team in South Korea.
Q: When did the team start and what was its original name?
A: The team started in 1982 with the name of Haitai Tigers.
Q: Who did Haitai sell the team to in 2001?
A: Haitai sold the team to Kia in 2001.
Q: How many times did the team win the Korean Series as Haitai Tigers?
A: They won the Korean Series 9 times as Haitai Tigers (1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997).
Q: How many times has the team won the Korean Series in total?
A: They won the Korean Series 11 times, which is the top record among all Korean baseball teams.
Q: Has the team ever lost the Korean Series?
A: No, the team never lost the Korean Series so far.
Q: What is the main stadium of the Kia Tigers and where was it located?
A: Their main stadium was the Mudeung Baseball Stadium in Gwangju from 1982 to 2013, and is now the Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, also in Gwangju.
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AlegsaOnline.com Kia Tigers — professional baseball club from Gwangju, South Korea Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/53297