Meistriliigale

Meistriliiga is the top level of men's professional football in Estonia. Established in 1992 after Estonia regained independence, it replaced the Estonian SSR Championship as the Premier League of the country. The league is organized by the Estonian Football Association (Eesti Jalgpalli Liit) and serves as the highest level in the Estonian football league system.

The competition typically features around 10 teams. The season runs within a calendar year, generally from early spring to late autumn, due to harsh winters. Teams play through a regular phase, after which the format may include a championship group and a relegation group to determine the national champion and relegation places. The bottom teams face relegation to Esiliiga, the second division, with promotion opportunities for top Esiliiga clubs through playoffs and direct promotion.

Meistriliiga clubs qualify for European competition based on their final league position and the country’s UEFA coefficient. The league champion traditionally advances to the early qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League, while other top finishers may enter the qualifying rounds or the UEFA Europa Conference League, depending on current UEFA rules and rankings.

Historically, the league has been dominated by clubs such as FC Flora and FCI Levadia Tallinn, with other teams like Nõmme Kalju contributing to the competitive landscape. The Meistriliiga plays a central role in cultivating Estonian football talent and serves as a primary pathway for players to reach international and European competition.