Ulsan HD FC began their Korean K League 1 campaign with a convincing 3-1 home win against Gangwon Football Club on February 28, 2026. The defending champions showcased their quality at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, overcoming an early scare to take control of the match. Gangwon surprised the hosts by taking an early lead, but Ulsan responded with characteristic resilience, leveling the score before halftime. The second half was all Ulsan, as they added two more goals to secure a comfortable opening-day victory. The performance underlined Ulsan's attacking depth, with goals coming from different players. This win sent a strong message to their title rivals and gave Ulsan HD FC the ideal start as they aim to retain their K League 1 crown.