Mestis (Finland) 2026/27

Mestis occupies the second tier of professional ice hockey in Finland, sitting directly below the top-flight Liiga. The league was established in 2000 by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association (Suomen Jääkiekkoliitto) to succeed the former I-divisioona. It currently comprises ten clubs, including Hermes, IPK, Jokerit, K-Vantaa, Kettera, and KeuPa. The regular season follows a five-time round-robin format, meaning every team faces each opponent five times. This structure results in 45 games per side, though the total rises to 50 if eleven teams participate. The top eight clubs progress to the playoffs, while the bottom two contest relegation playoffs against teams from the third-tier Suomi-sarja. Playoff contention involves best-of-five quarterfinals and best-of-seven semifinals and finals. A single elimination match decides the bronze medal position. The title winner enters a qualification series against the last-placed Liiga club. This best-of-seven contest determines promotion, provided the victor satisfies strict financial and facility licensing requirements. This on-ice mechanism returned for the 2024–25 season, replacing a license-based expansion system used between 2013 and 2023. Jukurit holds the record for most championships with seven victories, securing titles in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2013, 2015, and 2016. IPK, also known as Iisalmen Peli-Karhut, is the reigning champion after winning the 2023–24 season. The competition serves as a primary developmental pathway for the Liiga, featuring a younger average player age between 22 and 26. While the Liiga operates as a closed league with limited movement based on licensing, Mestis remains an open league with direct on-ice promotion and relegation links to the third tier. Relegation to Suomi-sarja occurs if a Mestis team loses its qualification series against the Suomi-sarja champion.