| Date | R | Home v Away | - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/26 15:00 | - |
HIFK v HPK
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| 12/26 15:00 | - |
K-Espoo v Assat
|
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| 12/27 16:30 | - |
Kalpa v Saipa
|
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| 12/27 16:30 | - |
Kookoo v Jukurit
|
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| 12/27 16:30 | - |
Lukko v Ilves
|
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| 12/27 16:30 | - |
Tappara v Jyp
|
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| 12/28 15:00 | - |
Jukurit v HIFK
|
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| 12/28 15:00 | - |
Saipa v K-Espoo
|
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| 12/28 15:00 | - |
TPS v HPK Hämeenlinna
|
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| 12/28 15:00 | - |
Ilves v Kalpa
|
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| 12/28 15:00 | - |
Jyp v Lukko
|
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| 12/28 15:00 | - |
Vaasan Sport v Pelicans
|
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| 12/28 15:00 | - |
Assat v Tappara
|
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| 12/30 16:30 | - |
Ilves v Jukurit
|
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| 12/30 16:30 | - |
Pelicans v Tappara
|
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| 01/03 16:30 | - |
Jyp v TPS
|
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| 01/03 16:30 | - |
Lukko v K-Espoo
|
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| 01/03 16:30 | - |
Saipa v Kookoo
|
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| 01/03 16:30 | - |
Ilves v Assat
|
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| 01/03 16:30 | - |
Pelicans v HIFK
|
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| 01/03 17:30 | - |
Kalpa v Tappara
|
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| 01/04 15:00 | - |
HPK Hämeenlinna v Lukko
|
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| 01/04 15:00 | - |
Kärpät Oulu v TPS
|
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| 01/04 15:00 | - |
Vaasan Sport v Jukurit
|
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| 01/04 15:00 | - |
K-Espoo v Jyp
|
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| 01/04 15:00 | - |
Kookoo v Saipa
|
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| 01/04 15:00 | - |
Assat v Ilves
|
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| 01/04 15:00 | - |
HIFK v Pelicans
|
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| 01/04 16:00 | - |
Tappara v Kalpa
|
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| 01/08 16:30 | - |
Kalpa v Jukurit
|
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Jokerit
Wikipedia - Liiga
The SM-liiga (marketed as just Liiga from 2013 on), colloquially called the Finnish Elite League in English or FM-ligan in Swedish, is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. The league comprises 16 teams from all around Finland with relegation and promotion between the Mestis. The winner of the Liiga playoffs is awarded the Kanada-malja at the end of each season.
Teams from the Liiga participate in the IIHF's annual Champions Hockey League (CHL), competing for the European Trophy. Participation is based on the strength of the various leagues in Europe (excluding the European/Asian Kontinental Hockey League).
The Liiga was established in 1975 to replace the former SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur competition. The Liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, but the league and association have an agreement of cooperation. SM is a common abbreviation for Suomen mestaruus, "Finnish Champion".
History
The SM-liiga was established in 1975 to replace the amateur competition SM-sarja. Kalervo Kummola was elected to become the first chief executive officer of the SM-liiga, who served until 1987. The SM-liiga wasn't established unter the Finnish ice Hockey Association that oversees all the other leagues and cups in the country. The playoffs are introduced in Finnish ice hockey for the first time during the inaugural SM-liiga season.
At first there were 10 clubs in the SM-liiga. The league expanded to 12 teams in the 1988–89 season. In 2000, the SM-liiga was expanded by one team, after which the league was closed so that teams could not drop out of the league or move up from a lower league. For the 2005–2006 season, the Mestis winner KalPa was promoted to the series, which met the criteria required for a place in the league. The league qualifiers were brought back for the 2008–09 season. However, as a condition for promotion, the Mestis team that cleared the qualifiers should have bought the shares of the losing Liiga team at the price determined by the league. Otherwise, the losing Liiga team would have continued playing in the league. Starting from the 2013–2014 season, the Liiga qualifiers were replaced by a license system where the winner of Mestis can apply for a Liiga license. If granted, the club will be promoted to the league after a transition period of one season.
The league changed its marketing name to just Liiga for the 2013–14 season, and introduced a new logo to match. The 2019–20 Liiga season was terminated on March 13, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the decision, the final round of the regular season and the playoffs were not played, and the 2020 Finnish hockey championship was not awarded.
For the 2024–25 season, Kiekko-Espoo were promoted to the Liiga as the league expanded to 16 teams. The league was opened for relegation and promotion between the Mestis for the first time since 2013.
According to a 2023 article by The Hockey Writers, the SM-liiga is considered one of the best leagues in Europe and the world along with the Swedish Hockey League and behind the Kontinental Hockey League. Going into the 2024–25 CHL season, the Liiga was ranked the No. 3 league in Europe, allowing them to send their top four teams to compete in the CHL.
The tournament features a regular season where teams compete in a round-robin format, followed by intense playoff rounds culminating in the championship series. With a mix of traditional clubs and newer franchises, the Liiga is known for its high-paced gameplay, skilled athletes, and strategic depth, making it a thrilling spectacle for hockey enthusiasts.
Each season, the Liiga not only highlights the best of Finnish ice hockey but also serves as a vital platform for players aspiring to make their mark on the international stage. The league has a rich history of producing NHL stars and Olympic athletes, further solidifying its reputation as a breeding ground for elite talent.
Fans can expect a vibrant atmosphere in arenas across the country, where local rivalries and passionate support create an electrifying experience. The Finland SM Liiga is more than just a tournament; it is a celebration of ice hockey, community, and national pride, making it a must-watch event for sports lovers both in Finland and around the world.