If you were looking for a predictable outcome in the Finnish top flight this past year, you probably haven't been paying attention to the Veikkausliiga lately. The finland football league standings at the close of the 2025 season told a story that many purists didn't see coming. KuPS (Kuopion Palloseura) didn't just win; they held off a relentless surge from Inter Turku to claim the throne with 67 points after 32 grueling matches.
It’s wild to think that HJK Helsinki, the historical giant of Finnish football with 33 titles to their name, finished the Championship Round in 5th place. That’s not just a bad season for them—it’s a systemic shock.
The KuPS Dominance and the Fall of HJK
KuPS managed to secure 20 wins. They were consistent when it mattered most. Their defensive record was solid, but it was their ability to grind out results in the Championship Round that separated them from the pack. They ended with a +28 goal difference, narrowly beating out Inter Turku who finished with 61 points.
Honestly, the most surprising part of the finland football league standings wasn't just who was at the top. It was the sheer density of the top four. Only eight points separated the champions from 4th-placed SJK (Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho).
How the Championship Round Shook Out
The split-season format in Finland creates this intense pressure cooker. After the regular 22 games, the league divides. The top six fight for European spots. The bottom six fight to stay alive.
KuPS sat at 67 points.
Inter Turku followed with 61.
Ilves stayed hot on their heels at 60.
SJK finished with 59.
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HJK ended up in no-man's land with 49 points. If you're a fan of the "Klubi," this was a hard pill to swallow. They scored the most goals in the league—74 in total—but their 11 losses were their undoing. You can’t concede 52 goals and expect to lift the trophy in a league that rewards discipline.
Drama at the Bottom: The Relegation Scrap
While the top was a battle of tactics, the bottom was a battle of survival. The finland football league standings for the Relegation Round saw FF Jaro performing a minor miracle. They finished the round at the top of the "lower" group with 34 points.
It was a nightmare for Haka and KTP.
Haka finished at the absolute bottom with a mere 17 points from 27 matches.
KTP (listed in some records as Kooteepee) didn't fare much better, ending on 21 points.
The struggle is real when you look at the goal differences down there. KTP finished with a -30. When you're losing by three or four goals on a regular basis, the psychological weight becomes impossible to lift. Jaro, returning to the top flight after nearly a decade away, showed that grit matters more than pedigree in the Finnish mud.
Why These Standings Matter for 2026
The 2026 season is already looming. Because the Finnish season runs on a summer schedule (April to October/November), we are currently in the pre-season lull where rosters are being rebuilt.
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The current 2026 finland football league standings effectively start at zero, but the momentum from 2025 carries over. KuPS has the target on their back. Inter Turku and Ilves have proven they have the depth to challenge for the title.
- Champions League: KuPS gets the nod for the qualifying rounds.
- Conference League: HJK, Ilves, and Inter Turku will represent Finland.
- Promoted Teams: Keep an eye on TPS and FC Lahti as they look to reintegrate into the top tier for 2026.
Key Stats from the 2025 Campaign
Kasper Paananen was the name on everyone's lips, finishing as the top goalscorer with 14 goals. It wasn't just about the volume; it was the timing. The average goal count for the season was a healthy 3.28 per match. People who say Finnish football is boring clearly didn't watch HJK dismantle IFK Mariehamn 8–2 back in August.
The attendance peak was 8,133 for the HJK vs. KuPS match in May. That might sound small compared to the Premier League, but in the context of Finnish sports culture, that's a massive, vibrating atmosphere.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you are following the finland football league standings to get an edge or just to stay informed, keep these nuances in mind.
First, home-field advantage in the Veikkausliiga is significant due to the varying pitch surfaces. Some teams play on natural grass, while others use artificial turf which gets slick and fast in the Finnish rain.
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Second, the "summer slump" is a real thing. Teams competing in European qualifiers often rotate heavily in domestic matches during July and August. This is usually when HJK or KuPS drop points to "lesser" teams like Gnistan or VPS.
Third, look at the discipline. SJK and Ilves have become much more tactically rigid. They don't mind a 0–0 draw if it keeps them in the top six.
To stay truly updated, you should be checking the official Veikkausliiga portal or sites like Transfermarkt, which track the market value of the players. Currently, Otto Ruoppi is one of the most valuable assets in the league, valued at around €600k. Watching where these key players transfer during the winter window will tell you exactly who is serious about the 2026 title.
Get ready for April. The cycle starts again, and if 2025 was any indication, the standings will be anything but predictable.