Kakkonen

Kakkonen, meaning "the second" in Finnish, is the third tier of Finnish football. It is administered by the Football Association of Finland (Suomen Palloliitto, SPL). The league is divided into three regional groups—Group A, Group B, and Group C—each containing around 10 to 12 teams. Teams play a round-robin schedule, facing each other home and away.

The season runs from spring to autumn, aligning with Finland’s climate and finishing before winter returns. The exact calendar can vary by year.

At the end of the season, the group winners are usually promoted to Ykkönen, the second tier, subject to meeting licensing requirements and league slots. In some seasons, an additional promotion place has been determined through playoff matches involving runners-up or other eligible clubs. Relegation transports the bottom teams to Kolmonen, the fourth level, depending on the structure and licensing conditions in a given year.

Kakkonen acts as a bridge between the more regional Kolmonen and the national leagues higher up. It features a mix of semi-professional and amateur clubs, including historic clubs balancing development, finances, and competitive ambitions. The competition emphasizes regional rivalries and player development, contributing to the broader Finnish football pyramid.