The league leadership is now exploring the pros and cons of the so -called conference model. Next season will go with a valid series system.
The league ended in May with the first championship in KalPa’s history. Next season, the league will be played with the same serial system as last season. After that, it’s time for change. The main kits will continue to open, ie rising and falling. Mikko Huisko
Jyrki Seppä, Chairman of SM-League Oy, said at a press conference on Monday that there would be changes in the league in 2026-27.
– I hope that in the season 2026-27, at least the change process will be started, as there are already some changes to the season. The change must start, but I don’t expect the whole thing to be done then. There are transitions to the future, so it is hoped that something happens in 2026.
Only the Jukuri ready for the B league
Jyrki Seppä is Chairman of the Board of SM-Leiga Oy. Timo Kunnari
The league will hardly see the much-featured AB model, where teams under the same series and company would play at two levels, under the same media contract and the same betting agreement, and where the rise and fall between the stairs would take place every spring.
The model will not be realized because only one of the 16 shareholders in the league would be ready to play in the B-series. That team is Mikkeli Jukuri.
-There is no belief in the AB model for shareholders to make a business profitable in any business, Seppä confirms.
From the pencil of the Kekäläinen
Next season, the Flyers and JYP will like to join the success group again. Jussi Määttä / AOP
As Iltalehti said earlier, the league chairmen voted on Friday what kind of future series model will be promoted.
– Now the report has a so -called conference model. We will find out if you could find a more sensible model for clubs economically and athletically, Seppä says.
The model would take one or two new teams to the league, and the series would be played in two different conferences.
There are several conference models.
– In theory, teams could be divided into two blocks geographically. One idea could be the division according to the sizes of the economic areas or according to the previous season’s series success, Seppä says.
The conference model was brought to the league Jarmo Kekäläinen as a result of his research.
This will continue
The league’s decision -making model cannot be said to be easy. For example, the reform of the series requires the support of ten shareholders.
There are 16 shareholders in the league, but the Kiekko-Espoo has no voting rights in big matters, as it has not yet paid the entire league share.
The price of the league share is EUR 2.2 million.
– The clubs will meet in September. There the series system is talked about again. The Annual General Meeting will be held at the turn of October and November. Then there must be some decision on how to play the league in 2026, Seppä opens.
One option is that the series will also be played in 2026 on the same system as it is now.
– In theory, it is possible, but by no means the target state. It’s the last option.
The dressmen of any series model clubs in the league and top hockey magic, must be served as much as possible on the Finnish young player’s path, and make business more profitable. Currently, several league clubs are in financially miserable space.
New strategy
The Jokers have been a hot topic in hockey circles for two years. The team won the Mestis Championship last season but lost to the Pelicans in the qualifying round. The Jokers will play next season in Mestis. Tomi Natri/AOP
The league is renewing its entire strategy. The strategy aims at the most important community of Finland and the most followed sports series, developing fan culture and an attractive game product.
In addition, the strategy includes responsible influence, player safety and an active role in social issues.
Renovation of the serial system is part of the strategy.