Ykkönen

Ykkönen (Finnish for 'Number One'; Ettan) is the third highest level of the Finnish football league system (after the Veikkausliiga and Ykkösliiga), managed by the Football Association of Finland. Until the end of 2023, Ykkönen was the second-highest level in Finland, but after the creation of new second-tier Ykkösliiga, it was dropped down one level in the league pyramid.

History
The first league format competition in the second level of Finnish football was called Suomensarja, which was founded in 1936. Before the inauguration of the Suomensarja, from 1930 to 1935, there had been special qualification matches for the right to play in the Mestaruussarja.

In the autumn of 1969, the Finnish football underwent a league system reform, and the Suomensarja was renamed II divisioona, or 2nd Division, with regional sections.

In 1973, this level of football in Finland became nationwide, and the new name was 1. divisioona (First Division). The name Ykkönen has been used since 1995.

The new nation-wide third-tier Ykkönen will start running in 2024, as the first ever nation-wide third-tier league in Finland.

Competition
Like the Veikkausliiga and Ykkösliiga, Ykkönen is played mainly during the summer. It comprises 12 clubs, all of whom play 27 matches. After 22 games the division is divided to teams who finished 1-6 and 7-12. These teams play against each other once. The winner of the Ykkönen qualifies directly for promotion to Ykkösliiga. The teams that finish second, third, and fourth play a one legged playoff, with the second placed team playing against the winner of the match between the third and fourth placed team. The winner of the matches enters a two-legged playoff against the second to last team in the Veikkausliiga for promotion. The bottom 2 clubs are directly relegated to Kakkonen.

Clubs
The clubs in the Ykkönen for the 2024 season are: