Ykkönen

Ykkönen'' (Finnish for 'Number One'; Ettan) is the second highest level of the Finnish football league system (after the Veikkausliiga), although it is the highest league managed by the Football Association of Finland.

History
The first league format competition in the second level of Finnish football was called Suomensarja, which was founded in 1936. 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’). Name Ykkönen has been used since 1995.

Before the inauguration of the Suomensarja, there had been, in 1930–1935, special qualification matches for the right to play in the Mestaruussarja, ‘Championship series’. A proper league format competition on this level began in 1936 with the 1936 Suomensarja.

Competition
Like the Veikkausliiga, the first division is played mainly during the summer. It comprises 10 clubs, all of whom play three matches against all other clubs in the division. The winner of the Ykkönen qualifies directly for promotion to Veikkausliiga. The bottom 2 clubs are directly relegated to Kakkonen.

Clubs
The clubs in the Ykkönen for the 2015 season are: