Finnish ice hockey, long considered one of the country’s most treasured institutions, is on the verge of a historic shake-up. A new top-tier professional league — potentially starting as early as autumn 2026 — has been officially announced, with several of Finland’s most powerful clubs already aligning behind it. The move could spell the end of the Finnish Championship (SM-liiga) as it exists today. The initiative is being led by Causabon Oy, a company owned by former Tappara chairman Heikki Penttilä, who has spent months building support for the new league among the country’s major clubs. Penttilä argues that Finnish hockey has huge potential but needs radical reform (renew its brand, attract new audiences, and embrace bold, modern thinking) to remain competitive both on and off the ice.
A League Built for the Future
According to the early plans, the new competition would feature 10–12 teams and — crucially — be open, allowing for promotion and relegation without the need for expensive franchise buy-ins. This marks a stark contrast with the SM-liiga’s closed structure, which critics say has stifled growth and limited opportunities for ambitious smaller clubs. Behind the scenes, discontent has been brewing for years. Club executives have voiced frustration over the league’s decision-making, revenue distribution during playoff games, and the number of teams competing. Those grievances have now boiled over into open rebellion.
Who’s In?
Among the clubs reportedly backing the new league are some of Finland’s most storied names: Tappara, HIFK, TPS, Kiekko-Espoo, Kärpät, JYP, Ässät, and Jokerit — the latter currently competing in Mestis after years abroad in the KHL. The participation of these heavyweights gives the project considerable credibility and momentum. For fans, the inclusion of Jokerit — a team with a massive following and complicated recent history — is particularly symbolic. It signals a return to domestic prominence for the Helsinki club and underscores the scale of transformation Finnish hockey may soon undergo.
The End of the SM-liiga as We Know It?
If even half of the rumored clubs defect, the 51-year-old SM-liiga would be left in a weakened or even unsustainable position. Analysts suggest two scenarios: either the league undergoes major reform to satisfy its biggest members, or it risks losing them entirely to the new breakaway competition. Much like the NHL, the proposed league would appoint a commissioner to act as both the executive authority and the public face of the competition — a move intended to centralize leadership and professionalize its operations.
An Uncertain Future
For now, the project remains in the planning phase, but the tone of the announcement leaves little doubt: a “significant transformation” of Finnish top-level hockey is inevitable. Whether that transformation takes the form of reform within the SM-liiga or the full birth of a new rival competition, the foundations of Finnish hockey are already shifting. As negotiations begin between Causabon Oy, the clubs, and national governing bodies, the coming months could define the sport’s next half-century in Finland.
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