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Liiga

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description Liiga Overview

Liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland, established in 1975 as the successor to the SM-sarja. The league operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Mestis, the second-tier Finnish league. Liiga is considered one of the strongest professional hockey leagues in Europe and has produced numerous players who have advanced to the National Hockey League (NHL). The league's commercial name has been simply "Liiga" since a 2013 rebranding from the earlier SM-liiga designation.

help Liiga FAQ

What is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland?

Liiga is the highest professional ice hockey league in Finland, originally established in 1975. It was previously known as the SM-liiga before rebranding to just Liiga in 2013.

How many teams play in Liiga?

There are currently 15 teams that compete in the Finnish Liiga. The teams play a 60-game regular season schedule followed by a playoff format to determine the national champion.

Can Liiga teams be relegated to a lower division?

Since 2000, Liiga operated as a closed league without automatic promotion and relegation. However, in the mid-2020s, the league announced plans to reintroduce promotion and relegation with the Mestis league starting in the 2024-2025 season.

Has a Liiga team ever won the Champions Hockey League?

Yes, Finnish teams have found success in the pan-European Champions Hockey League. Tappara, based in Tampere, notably won the CHL title in 2023.

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