Suomen Cup (Finland) 2026/27

The Suomen Cup stands as Finland’s principal national knockout football tournament. Established in 1955 by the Football Association of Finland, it operates beneath the Veikkausliiga within the national pyramid. The competition embraces an open structure, allowing participation from clubs across the hierarchy from the top flight down to the seventh tier. This inclusivity draws significant numbers; in 2025 alone, 420 teams entered the draw. The format follows a traditional 'win or out' pathway. Lower-division sides begin in preliminary rounds, while elite clubs join the contest at later stages. The primary incentive for victory lies in continental qualification, as the champion earns a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.

Historical changes have shaped the event over decades. It began under the name Antero Nyman Cup, honouring an engineer instrumental in its creation. Sponsorship deals subsequently led to renamings as the Kansallis Cup and later the Veikkaajan Suomen Cup. Structural adjustments occurred in 1974 with the introduction of prize money and penalty shootouts. A brief period saw the schedule shift to autumn and spring, before returning to the standard calendar. The tournament briefly restricted participation but reverted to its fully open knockout format in 2022. Dominance in the competition rests with HJK Helsinki, who hold the record for most titles with 15 victories. These include the most recent final in 2025 against KuPS. The Suomen Cup remains distinct from the Liigacup, a closed pre-season fixture for Veikkausliiga clubs that offers no European rewards.