Finnish Veikkausliiga: Format, History and Why It Runs in Summer

While European football generally takes a break during the summer months, Finland’s Veikkausliiga runs from April to November. This guide will clearly explain the 12-club structure of the Finnish Veikkausliiga, its two-stage season format, history, and promotion and relegation rules. You will also discover the championship race and how Finnish teams participate in European competitions. After exploring the leagues and teams, join VivatBet and create your slips from hundreds of betting markets.

What is Veikkausliiga - and Why Does It Matter in Summer?

Veikkausliiga is the highest level of professional football in Finland. The season typically runs from April to November. While the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga and La Liga are on their summer breaks, matches continue to be played in Finland. Especially during the summer season, you can follow the matches via a Veikkausliiga live stream. Several European leagues, including those in Estonia and Finland, are active during the summer months. Looking at the Veikkausliiga standings, there are 12 clubs. 

The modern league began in 1990 as the successor to Mestaruussarja, which was Finland’s top division from 1930 to 1989. Looking back, you can see that top-level football leagues in Finland date back to 1930. The organization was made possible by the Finnish Football Federation by establishing it on a more sporting foundation.

Brief History

The history of football leagues in Finland dates back to 1930. Initially, the league entered the football world under the name Mestaruussarja.

However, this period was short-lived, and the league's name became Veikkausliiga, inspired by its main sponsor, the Finnish state-owned company Veikkaus. Although the sponsorship structure changed over time, the league's name continued to be used.

The most prominent team in the league, with the most championships, is HJK Helsinki. Furthermore, HJK’s participation in UEFA competitions and advancement to the group stages are among Finland’s most significant football achievements in Europe.

Two-Stage Format - The Key Structural Detail

Veikkausliiga’s two-stage season system is its most defining feature. The first-stage Veikkausliiga sarjataulukot clearly determine which final group the clubs will join. The details are as follows:

• In the Runkosarja, the 12 clubs play each other at home and away. Each team therefore completes a total of 22 matches.

• The top six teams advance to the Mestaruussarja with all their points carried over. In this double round-robin system, each team plays 10 additional Veikkausliiga pelit, and the leading team becomes champion.

• The bottom six teams play five additional matches in the Karsintasarja. The 12th-placed team is relegated directly, while the 11th-placed team enters a two-legged playoff against the Ykkösliiga runner-up.

• The Veikkausliiga sarjataulukot formed after the regular season have a decisive effect on the championship and relegation battles.

Karsintasarja matches in particular represent the league’s most important period in terms of competition and football betting. You may encounter value bet opportunities in some matches.

Promotion and Relegation

A new bettor or football viewer may not know how the end-of-season standings affect the league. In this section, we will discuss how the movement of teams between the two leagues is determined and which rules are followed.

• The Karsintasarja team finishing 12th in the Finland veikkausliiga table is relegated directly to Ykkösliiga, the division below.

• The 11th-placed Veikkausliiga team plays a two-legged playoff against the team finishing second in Ykkösliiga. For example, if the Veikkausliiga team is ahead on aggregate after two legs, it stays in the league; if the Ykkösliiga team wins, it is promoted to the higher division.

• The Ykkösliiga champion earns direct promotion to Veikkausliiga without having to compete in a playoff.

European Connection

Teams that achieve success in Veikkausliiga can participate in UEFA competitions under certain rules. European places are determined according to the league standings, the Finnish Cup and UEFA access rules.

• The league champion enters the first qualifying round of the UCL, subject to UEFA licensing requirements.

• The teams finishing second and third enter the Conference League qualifiers.

• The Finnish Cup winner also earns a Conference League place. However, if the cup winner has qualified through the Veikkausliiga standings, the place is transferred to the next team.

• Depending on the results in the UCL qualifiers, some teams may continue their campaigns in the Europa League or Conference League.

Looking at Finland's football history, you can see that HJK Helsinki has reached the main group stages in various UEFA competitions. This makes them one of Finland's most consistent representatives in Europe.

Who Dominates

Historically, HJK Helsinki has dominated the Veikkausliiga. However, in recent years this dominance has been breaking down, and teams like KuPS have begun to come to the forefront again. So, which teams dominate the league?

Looking at the history of the league, you might notice that the Meistriliiga in neighboring Estonia is more balanced. To clearly see this balance and these differences, you can review our Estonian Premium Liiga guide.