Teams
Paide Linnameeskond
JK Nomme Kalju
JK Trans Narva
FC Levadia Tallinn
FC Flora Tallinn
JK Tammeka Tartu
JK Tallinna Kalev
FC Kuressaare
Parnu JK Vaprus
JK Viljandi Tulevik
JK Sillamae Kalev
Tallinna FC Infonet
Tallinna JK Legion
Parnu Linnameeskond
Harju JK Laagri
Rakvere JK Tarvas
Maardu Linnameeskond
JK Nomme United
Viimsi JK
Wikipedia - Meistriliiga
Meistriliiga (pronounced [ˈmeistriliːɡ̊ɑː]), officially known as A. Le Coq Premium Liiga for sponsorship reasons, and commonly known as the Premium Liiga, is the highest division of the Estonian Football Association annual football championship. The league was founded in 1992, and was initially semi-professional with amateur clubs allowed to compete. With the help of solidarity mechanisms, the league is fully professional since the 2020 season.
As in most countries with low temperatures in winter, the season starts in March and ends in November. Meistriliiga consists of ten clubs, all teams play each other four times. After each season the bottom team is relegated and the top team in Esiliiga that year gets promoted. The second last team plays a two-legged play-off with the second team in Esiliiga for a place in the Meistriliiga.
History
Origins
The first Estonian Football Championship title was played out in 1921 and was won by Sport, who later went on to lift nine league titles and was the most successful Estonian football club during the country's first period of independence. The championship was initially played as a knock-out tournament, before league format was adapted in 1929. During the last 1939–40 season, Tartu Olümpia became the first club outside of capital city Tallinn to be crowned the Estonian champions, and have remained to be the only non-Tallinn club to do so until present day.
Estonia lost its independence through Soviet occupation in World War II, after which former clubs were forced to dissolve and Estonian SSR Championship was established. During the occupation, native Estonians started to desist from practicing football and the local championships were mostly played by teams consisting of local Russians.
Meistriliiga
Estonia restored its independence in 1991 and in the following year, Meistriliiga was established. After 52 years, Estonian clubs could once again play for the Estonian Football Championship title. The number of teams participating in the league varied from 8 to 14 until 2005, since then the league has been played with 10 teams. First live TV broadcasts began in 2008, and in 2020, first league matches were broadcast on foreign TV channels.
In February 2013, A. Le Coq, an Estonian brewery company, signed a five-year cooperation agreement with the Estonian Football Association, which included Meistriliiga naming rights. Since then, the league has been known as the Premium Liiga.
In 2020, the league became fully professional as the Estonian Football Association began financially supporting clubs that do not qualify for European spots.
Premium Liiga started using video assistant referee (VAR) from 2023.
The tournament features a diverse array of teams from across Estonia, each vying for glory and the opportunity to represent the nation in European competitions. Matches are held in various stadiums, creating an electric atmosphere as passionate fans rally behind their local clubs.
The Meistriliiga operates on a traditional league format, where teams play each other in a round-robin style, accumulating points to determine the champion at the end of the season. The league not only highlights the skill and determination of players but also serves as a vital part of Estonia's sports culture, fostering community spirit and national pride.
In addition to the thrilling matches, the Estonia Meistriliiga is known for its commitment to developing young talent, with many clubs investing in youth academies to nurture the next generation of football stars. As the league continues to grow in popularity, it remains a cornerstone of Estonian football, captivating fans and inspiring future athletes.