Finnish Domestic Football - An Overview
An Explanation Of Finland's Major Domestic Competitions
31/12/2024
The football calendar of Finnish football is unorthodox, compared to that of the major European leagues. While the major leagues play their seasons from summer to summer, the Finnish leagues play over the course of the calendar year, with the exception of the winter months. This means that the leagues begin in the months of spring and end in the months of autumn, allowing the players to rest throughout the cold winter months.
We will have a look at the calendars of the top two divisions of Finnish football, along with their rules and guidelines, and also look at the two major cup competitions in Finnish football.
Veikkausliiga
Dates:
April - October
No. Teams:
12
No. Matches:
33 (Teams play each other 3 times)
Foreign Player Limit:
3 non-EU players in match day squad
Disciplinary Rules:
3 Yellow Cards = 1 match ban
2 Red Cards = 2 match ban
3+ Red Cards = 3 match ban
Transfer Windows:
November - September (Free Transfers & Loans)
February - May (Regular)
August - September (Regular)
Continental Qualification:
1st: UEFA Champions League Champions Second Qualifying Phase
2nd: UEFA Europa League First Qualifying Round
3rd: UEFA Europa League First Qualifying Round
4th: UEFA Europa League First Qualifying Round (Depends on Suomen Cup)
Relegation:
Bottom team is relegated to Ykkönen
Ykkönen
Dates:
April - October
No. Teams:
10
No. Matches:
27 (Teams play each other 3 times)
Foreign Player Limit:
3 non-EU players in match day squad
Disciplinary Rules:
3 Yellow Cards = 1 match ban
2 Red Cards = 2 match ban
3+ Red Cards = 3 match ban
Transfer Windows:
November - September (Free Transfers & Loans)
February - May (Regular)
August - September (Regular)
Promotion:
Top team wins promotion to Veikkausliiga
Relegation:
Bottom two team are relegated to Kakkonen
Suomen Cup
Dates:
January - September
Teams:
All Finnish teams
Match Rules:
Extra Time + Penalties
Disciplinary Rules:
3 Yellow Cards = 1 match ban
2 Red Cards = 2 match ban
3+ Red Cards = 3 match ban
Draw Rules:
Lower division team has home advantage
Continental Qualification:
Winner: UEFA Europa League First Qualifying Round
Liigacup
Dates:
January - April
Teams:
All Veikkausliiga teams
Group Stage Rules:
Four groups of 3, play each other twice
Top 2 of each group qualify to next round
Knockout Stage Rules:
No Extra Time, Just Penalties
Disciplinary Rules:
Red Card = 2 Match Ban
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