Harjoitussarja

Harjoitussarja is a Finnish term used to describe a series of practice matches or exhibition games organized by sports clubs, leagues, or regional associations. The word combines harjoitus (practice) and sarja (series), and the concept denotes non-official competition intended for training rather than formal results. Harjoitussarjat are most commonly arranged as part of pre-season preparation or during seasonal pauses, and their main purposes are to maintain fitness, test tactics, evaluate players, and promote team cohesion. The structure and rules vary by sport and by organizer; often there is no formal championship and standings, if any, are informal and unofficial.

In football, ice hockey, basketball and other team sports in Finland, harjoitussarjat may involve several clubs in a geographic area or within a league system organizing a round-robin or fixed-schedule set of matches. The emphasis is on training load management, player development, and competitive readiness rather than on winning titles. At higher levels the term may be used interchangeably with pre-season friendlies or practice matches, while in youth and amateur contexts the series is a common method to keep teams active through the winter or off-season.

See also: harjoitusottelu, pre-season.