View source for Superpesis

{{Short description|Professional pesäpallo league in Finland}}
{{Infobox sports league
| title           = Superpesis
| current_season  = <!-- do not wikilink -->
| current_season2 = <!-- do not wikilink -->
| last_season     = <!-- do not wikilink -->
| upcoming_season = <!-- do not wikilink; replace with current_season at the start of the new season -->
| logo            = Superpesis logo.svg
| pixels          = <!-- use a format of ##px, such as 120px -->
| caption         = 
| formerly        = 
| replaced        = 
| sport           = Pesäpallo
| founded         = 1989
| owner           = Superpesis Oy
| ceo             = 
| director        = 
| president       = 
| commissioner    = 
| fame            = <!--what the league is famous for...the "claim to fame"...avoid use if possible-->
| motto           = 
| inaugural       = 
| teams           = [[List of Superpesis clubs|13]] (men) <br /> 12 (women)
| singles         = 
| country         = [[Finland]]
| venue           = 
| continent       = <!-- or | continents = -->
| folded          = 
| champion        = [[Sotkamon Jymy]] (men)<br />[[Pesäkarhut]] (women)
| most_champs     = [[Sotkamon Jymy]] (20, men)<br>[[Kirittäret]] (12, women)
| qualification   = 
| tv              = [[Nelonen Media]] <br /> [[Yle]]
| sponsor         = 
| related_comps   = 
| founder         = 
| levels          = 1
| promotion       = 
| relegation      = {{ill|Ykköspesis|fi}}
| domestic_cup    = {{ill|Pesäpallon Suomen Cup|fi}} (defunct)
| website         = [https://www.superpesis.fi/ Superpesis.fi]
| footnotes       = 
}}
{{Culture of Finland}}
The '''Superpesis''' is the highest level of the Finnish [[pesäpallo]] league system. Contested by 13 clubs in men's league and 12 clubs in women's league, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the [[Ykköspesis]]. Seasons usually run from May to August, with each men's team plays around 30 matches and women's team 24 matches in the regular and continuation series: two against each other, one at home and one away. After the regular season, a continuation series will be played to determine the 8 teams that make the play-offs and the teams that qualify for the knockout stage and the teams that are relegated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.superpesis.fi/superpesis-info/sarjajarjestelmat |title= Sarjajärjestelmät |date=|access-date=18 July 2024|language=fi|publisher=Superpesis}}</ref> Games are played on weekday evenings and weekend afternoons.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.superpesis.fi/ottelut |title= Ottelut |date=|access-date=18 July 2024|language=fi|publisher=Superpesis}}</ref> 

The competition was founded on 1989, following the [[Suomen mestaruus|Finnish Championship]] (the top-tier league from 1955 to 1989). The Superpesis takes advantage of a [[€]]100,000 television rights deal with [[Nelonen Media]] and [[Yle]] securing the broadcasting rights to all Superpesis games,<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.hs.fi/urheilu/art-2000006696755.html |title= Superpesis ja Nelonen tekivät pitkän jatkosopimuksen – finaalipelit olivat Jim-kanavan katsotuimpia ohjelmia |date= 23 October 2020 |access-date=18 July 2024|language=fi|publisher=[[Helsingin Sanomat]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://yle.fi/a/3-12518493  |title= Superpesiksen yleisömäärät laskussa, myös tv-sopimus hiertää: "Seurojen saama korvaus on tavattoman pieni" |date=6 July 2022 |access-date=18 July 2024|language=fi|publisher=[[Yle]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.is.fi/urheilu/art-2000009465305.html |title= Sanoma ja Yle yhteistyöhön kesän palloilusarjoista: ”Todella merkittävä”  |date=20 March 2023 |access-date=18 July 2024|language=fi|publisher=[[Ilta-Sanomat]]}}</ref> with many matches broadcast on national television. The Superpesis is run by a limited company owned by the Finnish Pesäpallo Association, with Olli Aro as a chief executive.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.pesis.fi/uutiset/2023/06/superpesiksen-uusi-organisaatio-on-valmis-toimitusjohtajaksi-olli-aro-hallituksessa-mukana-liiketoiminnan-urheilun-ja-viihteen-ammattilaisia/ |title= Superpesiksen uusi organisaatio on valmis – toimitusjohtajaksi Olli Aro, hallituksessa mukana liiketoiminnan, urheilun ja viihteen ammattilaisia  |date=27 June 2023 |access-date=18 July 2024|language=fi|publisher=[[Ilta-Sanomat]]}}</ref>

[[List of Superpesis clubs|Thirty-one clubs]] have competed in the men's Superpesis and forty-three clubs in the women's Superpesis since its inception in 1990. Nine of them have won the men's title and eleven of them the women's title. The winners in men's league are: [[Sotkamon Jymy]] (19), [[Vimpelin Veto]] (4), [[Kiteen Pallo -90]] (3), [[Joensuun Maila]] (2), [[Oulun Lippo]] (2), [[Imatran Pallo-Veikot]] (1), [[Hyvinkään Tahko]] (1), [[Pattijoen Urheilijat]] (1) and [[Manse PP]] (1). Sotkamon Jymy have won the most titles, with nineteen, and the most successive titles, with five. Only three clubs have played in every season to date: Hyvinkään Tahko, Kiteen Pallo -90 and Sotkamon Jymy.

The winners in women's league are: [[Kirittäret]] (12), [[Lapuan Virkiä]] (9), [[Pesäkarhut]] (3), [[Jyväskylän Kiri]] (2), [[Oulun Lippo]] (2), [[Ikaalisten Tarmo]] (1), [[Manse PP]] (1), [[Pattijoen Urheilijat]] (1), [[Siilinjärven Pesis]] (1), [[Vihdin Pallo]] (1) and [[Viinijärven Urheilijat]] (1). Kirittäret have won the most titles, with twelve, and the most successive titles, with six. Only one club, Lapuan Virkiä, have played in every season to date.

[[File:Veto - Kossu (1.8.2014) 07.JPG|thumb|right|Superpesis match: Vimpeli versus Koskenkorva.]]
[[File:Ankkurit - Veto (10.8.2014) 18.JPG|thumb|right|Superpesis match: Alajärvi versus Vimpeli.]]

==Popularity==
The men's Superpesis is third most-watched men's sports league in Finland, and the women's league is the most-watched women's one. In 2021, Superpesis matches were streamed more than a million times on ''Ruutu'', and larger matches are broadcast on national television on the channels of [[Nelonen Media]] and in 2024 also [[Yle]].

Most popular in semi-urban and rural Finnish-speaking municipalities, along with some notability in larger cities like [[Tampere]] and [[Oulu]], the pesäpallo matches gain a significant number of attendances compared to the population in the areas.<ref>http://yle.fi/urheilu/lajit/pesapallo/2008/08/pesiskatsomoihin_virtaa_entista_enemman_yleisoa_115399.html {{in lang|fi}}</ref>

In the 2023 season, the average of men's Superpesis match attendance was 1,381, and women's average match attendance was 661.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://yle.fi/a/74-20043942  |title= Superpesikseen visioidaan uudistuksia ja hurjia tavoitteita – taustajoukoissa mukana muun muassa Haloo Helsingin kitaristi  |date=16 September 2023 |access-date=18 July 2024|language=fi|publisher=[[Yle]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://media.sanoma.fi/ajankohtaista/nakemyksia-markkinoinnista/mainonnan-tavoittavuus-ja-starttimaarat-hurjassa-kasvussa  |title= Mainonnan tavoittavuus ja starttimäärät hurjassa kasvussa Ruudussa  |date=10 September 2019 |access-date=18 July 2024|language=fi|publisher=Sanoma Media}}</ref> This puts the league a bit behind the men's [[ice hockey]] [[2023–24 Liiga season|2023–24 Liiga]] (Average attendance 4,568) and men's [[association football]] [[2024 Veikkausliiga]] (Average attendance: 2,957).

== History == 
=== Origins ===
In the 1980s, as Finnish society changed, the role of [[pesäpallo]] had to be re-examined. The sport had long drawn its strength from the countryside and village game culture, but with urbanisation, the rural population was dwindling and pesäpallo needed a new direction.<ref name="hist">{{Cite web|url= https://elmotv.com/pesapallon-nousukaudella-kaikki-oli-tehty-kullasta-paitsi-kalterit/ |title= Pesäpallon nousukaudella kaikki oli tehty kullasta paitsi kalterit |date=12 January 2022 |access-date=21 July 2024|language=fi|publisher=Elmo TV}}</ref>

In the 1980s, the Finnish Pesäpallo Association launched the "Pesäpallo is the most Finnish Game" ({{langx|fi|Pesis on peleistä suomalaisin}}, POPS) project, which aimed to communicate the new future of pesäpallo to clubs, local politicians and the media. The project gave pesäpallo a social profile and practical marketing and visibility measures, as well as efforts to turn pesäpallo into a television product.<ref name="pesis100">{{Cite web|url= https://www.pesis.fi/pesis100/yhteystiedot/ |title= Pesäpallo 100: History |date= |access-date=21 July 2024|language=fi|publisher=Finnish Pesäpallo Association }}</ref> Superpesis Oy was set up as the marketing organisation for the men's and women's main league clubs. At the same time, work began on improving conditions, including the development of match venues, the introduction of sand artificial turf fields and the construction of pesäpallo stadiums.<ref name="hist"/>

The marketing of pesäpallo was aimed at strengthening the sport's identity by emphasising its local character and roots. The aim was to bring baseball to the big cities, with the names of localities appearing in the league table instead of clubs. Pesäpallo clubs largely represented municipalities and entire provinces.<ref name="hist"/>

In the development of the game, the number of matches was increased, and new elements were introduced: additional batters (1985), play-offs (1987) and tie-breaks (1990). Pesäpallo evolved into a top sport, and the quantity and quality of training reached a high level. The game became more tactical and began to make use of statistics and data.<ref name="hist"/><ref name="pesis-hist">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pesis.fi/pesis-info/historia/ |title= History |date= |access-date=21 July 2024|language=fi|publisher=Finnish Pesäpallo Association }}</ref> 

=== The boom in pesäpallo (1990s) ===
The first Superpesis season was played in 1990. With the new Superpesis, pesäpallo also gained a new dominant team when [[Sotkamon Jymy]] won the Finnish championship for the first time since 1963. Sotkamon Jymy was regularly ranked in the top three or higher for eight years and won six championships during the decade.<ref name="hist"/>

In 1994, pesäpallo moved to a period system, which revolutionised the scoring system in Superpesis.<ref name="pesis100"/> In the same season, [[Oulun Lippo]] became champion, the second most successful team in the 1990s. Lippo won two SM golds, one silver and one bronze. [[Kiteen Pallo -90]] won its first championship in 1999.<ref name="hist"/> In 1996, a scoring contest was added to the game.<ref name="pesis-hist"/>

In the 1990s, pesäpallo became a nationwide phenomenon, with Superpesis becoming the most popular summer ball game in terms of viewership. Average attendance figures were high in both large and small towns, with peak attendance figures reaching between 6,000 and 7,000 spectators. The Superpesis matches were broadcast on ''[[MTV3]]'', and the regular season matches were watched by more than 300 000 viewers at best. Real-time statistics of matches and the transmission of situations via teletext were major advances in the field of communication.<ref name="hist"/>

New pesäpallo stadiums were built in [[Hiukka Stadium|Sotkamo]], [[Island Field (Vimpeli)|Vimpeli]], [[Seinäjoki Pesäpallo Stadium|Seinäjoki]], Oulu and many smaller towns and cities. Sand fields became part of the conditions required for Superpesis. In 1997, the ''Kaisaniemen Tiikerit'' were promoted to Superpesis by a cabinet decision to promote the metropolitan project.<ref name="hist"/>

In the 1990s, pesäpallo moved to semi-professionalism in player salaries, with the best players becoming full professionals. In 1998, the pesäpallo community was rocked by a [[Finnish pesäpallo match-fixing scandal|major match-fixing scandal]] known as "Black Thursday."<ref name="pesis-hist"/> The incident led to the loss of television coverage of Superpesis, and in the early 2000s, the value base and foundation of the sport was rebuilt. Pesäpallo returned to basics and on-field work.<ref name="pesis100"/>

=== Sotkamo's reign continues (2000s) ===
The 2000s in Superpesis was mainly dominated by [[Sotkamon Jymy]]. The team was by far the strongest team in Superpesis during the decade. [[Kiteen Pallo -90]] won the first championship of the decade, but the following year Sotkamo took revenge on Kitee and began their four-year championship season.<ref name="hist"/><ref name="yle-hist">{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2014/08/29/2000-luvun-alun-superpesis-oli-jymyn-ja-jyvaskylan-pelia |title= 2000-luvun alun Superpesis oli Jymyn ja Jyväskylän peliä|date=29 August 2014 |access-date=21 July 2024|language=fi|publisher=Yle }}</ref> 

Kitee made a return to the gold medal in 2005, but Jymy returned as champions again in 2006 and 2009. Throughout the decade, Sotkamo Jymy played at least in the top three. During the decade, [[Pattijoen Urheilijat]] became champions for the first time in their history in 2008 and the club won several medals during the decade.<ref name="hist"/><ref name="yle-hist"/>

Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät and Joensuun Maila joined the main league during the decade. In 2001, the two-run rule and the batsman's skip rule were introduced in Superpesis, which brought game changes and increased the tacticality of the game.<ref name="hist"/>

=== From the big two to the big four (2010s) ===
In 2010, Superpesis experienced a new boom, which was significantly demonstrated by [[Jere Dahlström]]' s shot that clinched the championship for [[Vimpelin Veto]] being voted the most heartwarming sporting moment of 2010.<ref name="hist"/>

In the early 2010s, the power structure between the clubs became more stable. [[Sotkamon Jymy]] won the Finnish championship five times in a row between 2011 and 2015, always defeating Vimpelin Veto in the final. Vimpeli beat Sotkamo in the finals in 2016 and 2017, while [[Joensuun Maila]] won bronze in five consecutive years from 2013 to 2017.<ref name="hist"/> The early 2010s have been considered a dynasty, especially between Vimpeli and Sotkamo, whose encounters are known in Finnish as "El Klassikko", after the encounter between [[FC Barcelona]] and [[Real Madrid]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.is.fi/pesapallo/art-2000009834559.html |title= El Klassikko! Superpesiksen finaalipari selvillä  |date=5 September 2023 |access-date=21 July 2024|language=fi|publisher=Yle }}</ref> 

After a long bronze medal season, Joensuun Maila became the leading pesäpallo club and won the Finnish championship in 2018 and 2019, while Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät established itself as the fourth largest club.<ref name="hist"/>

In terms of play, pesäpallo developed significantly in the 2010s and the level expanded. Weaker outfield players could no longer be "hidden" on the field, and in order to succeed, top players had to be present at all positions. The physicality and pace of the game accelerated markedly, and the use of bounce was reduced.<ref name="hist"/>

[[Video assistant referee]] systems have been introduced as of the 2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ruutu.fi/video/4599821|title=Huippuhetket: Manse - Sotkamon Jymy 14.9.2024 (3. loppuottelu)|date=14 September 2024|access-date=1 June 2025|language=fi|publisher=Ruutu|time=4:41}}</ref>

==Clubs==
{{main|List of Superpesis clubs}}
The Superpesis clubs in the 2025 season are (with their home towns in brackets):
===Men===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
! style="background:#ffffff; max-width:45px" | Team
! style="background:#ffffff; max-width:50px" | City
! style="background:#ffffff; max-width:50px" | Founded
! style="background:#ffffff; max-width:50px" | Stadium
! style="background:#ffffff; max-width:50px" | Capacity
|-
| '''[[Alajärven Ankkurit]]'''
| [[Alajärvi]]
| align=center | 1944
| [[Kitro Stadium]]
| 4,000
|-
| '''[[Haminan Palloilijat]]'''
| [[Hamina]]
| align=center | 1928
| [[Rampart Field]]
| 3,000
|-
| '''[[Hyvinkään Tahko]]'''
| [[Hyvinkää]]
| align=center | 1915
| [[Pihkala Stadium]]
| 4,000
|-
| '''[[Imatran Pallo-Veikot]]'''
| [[Imatra]]
| align=center | 1955
| [[Ukonniemi Stadium]]
| 3,000
|-
| '''[[Joensuun Maila]]'''
| [[Joensuu]]
| align=center | 1958
| [[Mehtimäki Stadium]]
|data-sort-value=3,700|3,700–4,500
|-
| '''[[Kempeleen Kiri]]'''
| [[Kempele]]
| align=center | 1915
| [[Sarkkiranta Stadium]]
| 2,200
|-
| '''[[Kiteen Pallo -90]]'''
| [[Kitee]]
| align=center | 1990
| [[Shore Field]]
| 5,000
|-
| '''[[Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät]]'''
| [[Kouvola]]
| align=center | 1931
| [[Kouvola Pesäpallo Stadium]]
| 5,000
|-
| '''[[Manse PP]]'''
| [[Tampere]]
| align=center | 2005
| [[Kauppi Stadium]]
| 2,516<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tampereentilapalvelut.fi/hankkeet/kaupin-pesapallo-ja-hiihtostadion-uudisrakennus/|title=Kaupin pesäpallo- ja hiihtostadion – uudisrakennus|language=fi|accessdate=1 May 2025|publisher=Tampereen Tilapalvelut}}</ref>
|-
| '''[[Pattijoen Urheilijat]]'''
| [[Raahe]]
| align=center | 1928
| [[Rännäri Stadium]]
| 3,000
|-
| '''[[Sotkamon Jymy]]'''
| [[Sotkamo]]
| align=center | 1909
| [[Hiukka Stadium]]
| 4,500
|-
| '''[[Vimpelin Veto]]'''
| [[Vimpeli]]
| align=center | 1934
| [[Island Field (Vimpeli)|Island Field]]
| 2,590
|}

{{Location map+ |Finland |width=400 |float=right |caption=Location of teams of the 2025 men's Superpesis season.
|places=
{{Location map~|Finland|lat_deg=62.99479823808290|long=23.808290|label_size=80|label=[[Alajärven Ankkurit]]|mark=Green pog.svg|position=left}}
{{Location map~|Finland|lat_deg=61.51119558251407|long=23.80656567686873|label_size=80|label=[[Manse PP]]|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top/right}}
{{Location map~|Finland|lat_deg=60.57197366286918|long=27.202071158640145|label_size=80|label=[[Haminan Palloilijat]]|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top/right}}
{{Location map~|Finland|lat_deg=60.63886006882928|long=24.866646543247683|label_size=80|label=[[Hyvinkään Tahko]]|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top/right}}
{{Location map~|Finland|lat_deg=61.19692446758951|long=28.73154761326692|label_size=80|label=[[Imatran Pallo-Veikot]]|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top/right}}
{{Location map~|Finland|lat_deg=62.60276032785692|long=29.740012265503232|label_size=80|label=[[Joensuun Maila]]|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top/right}}
{{Location map~|Finland|lat_deg=64.907485|long= 25.518224|label_size=80|label=[[Kempeleen Kiri]]|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top/right}}
{{Location map~|Finland|lat_deg=62.10626340586235|long=30.1413152829666|label_size=80|label=[[Kiteen Pallo -90]]|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top/right}}
{{Location map~|Finland|lat_deg=60.871404966935756|long=26.710960284375588|label_size=80|label=[[Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät]]|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top/right}}
{{Location map~|Finland|lat_deg=64.69280266861801|long=24.562017417195246|label_size=80|label=[[Pattijoen Urheilijat]]|mark=Green pog.svg|position=left}}
{{Location map~|Finland|lat_deg=64.12909421329503|long=28.380493785506996|label_size=80|label=[[Sotkamon Jymy]]|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top/right}}
{{Location map~|Finland|lat_deg=63.16115197837957|long=23.8246889240531|label_size=80|label=[[Vimpelin Veto]]|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top/right}}
}}

===Past participants===
==== Relegated ====
Teams relegated were relegated to second-tier [[Ykköspesis]] in the year shown, and are there today unless noted otherwise.
* ''[[Vaasan Maila]]'' (relegated 1992)
* ''[[Muhoksen Pallo-Salamat]]'' (relegated 1994,)
* ''[[Riihimäen Pallonlyöjät]]'' (relegated 1995)
* ''[[Haapajärven Pesä-Kiilat]]'' (relegated 1998)
* ''[[Juvan Pallo]]'' (relegated 1998, now [[Juvan Nuorisopesis]])
* ''[[Loimaan Palloilijat]]'' (relegated 2001)
* ''[[Kinnarin Pesis]]'' (relegated 2004, now [[Kinnarin Pesis 2006]])
* ''[[Puijon Pesis]]'' (relegated 2009
* ''[[Ulvilan Pesä-Veikot]]'' (relegated 2010)
* ''[[Jyväskylän Kiri]]'' (relegated 2016)
* ''[[Oulun Lippo]]'' (relegated 2018)
* ''[[Kankaanpään Maila]]'' (relegated 2022)
* ''[[Koskenkorvan Urheilijat]]'' (relegated 2023)
* ''[[Seinäjoen JymyJussit]]'' (expelled 2024 mid-season due to economic problems)

==== Withdrew from league ====
* ''[[Kaisaniemen Tiikerit]]'' (went bankrupt at the end of 1998)
* ''[[Seinäjoen Maila-Jussit]]'' (left after 2008)
* ''[[Nurmon Jymy (pesäpallo)|Nurmon Jymy]]'' (left after 2012)
* ''[[Siilinjärven pesis]]'' (left after 2021)

===Women===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:80%; text-align:left;"
! style="background:#ffffff; width:18%" | Team
! style="background:#ffffff; width:15%" | City
! style="background:#ffffff; width:23%" | Stadium
! style="background:#ffffff; width:9%" | Founded
|-
| '''[[Fera (pesäpallo)|Fera]]'''
| [[Rauma, Finland|Rauma]]
| [[Otanlahti Stadium]]
| align=center | 1958
|-
| '''[[Hyvinkään Tahko]]'''
| [[Hyvinkää]]
| [[Pihkala Stadium]]
| align=center | 1915
|-
| '''[[Joensuun Maila]]'''
| [[Joensuu]]
| [[Mehtimäki Stadium]]
| align=center | 1958
|-
| '''[[Kirittäret]]'''
| [[Jyväskylä]]
| [[Hippos Stadium]]
| align=center | 1999
|-
| '''[[Laitilan Jyske]]'''
| [[Laitila]]
| [[Laitila Pesäpallo Field]]
| align=center | 1911
|-
| '''[[Lapuan Virkiä]]'''
| [[Lapua]]
| [[Lukkarila Stadium]]
| align=center | 1907
|-
| '''[[Manse PP]]'''
| [[Tampere]]
| [[Kauppi Stadium]]
| align=center | 2011
|-
| '''[[Pesäkarhut]]'''
| [[Pori]]
| [[Pori Pesäpallo Stadium]]
| align=center | 1985
|-
| '''[[Pöytyän Urheilijat]]'''
| [[Pöytyä]]
| [[Kaulanperä Field]]
| align=center | 1945
|-
| '''[[Roihuttaret]]'''
| [[Helsinki]]
| [[Roihuvuori Field]]
| align=center | 1957
|-
| '''[[Seinäjoen Maila-Jussit]]'''
| [[Seinäjoki]]
| [[Seinäjoki Pesäpallo Stadium]]
| align=center | 1932
|-
| '''[[Vaasan Mailattaret]]'''
| [[Vaasa]]
| [[Hietalahti Pesäpallo Stadium]]
| align=center | 2015
|}

===Past participants===
==== Relegated ====
Teams relegated were relegated to second-tier {{ill|Ykköspesis|fi}} in the year shown, and are there today unless noted otherwise.
* ''[[Kokemäen Kova-Väki]]'' (relegated 1991)
* ''[[Ikaalisten Tarmo]]'' (relegated 1996)
* ''[[Vähänkyrön Viesti]]'' (relegated 1997)
* ''[[Tyrnävän Tempaus]]'' (relegated 2009)
* ''[[Jyväskylän Valo]]'' (relegated 2010)
* ''[[Lappajärven Veikot]]'' (relegated 2019)
* ''[[Mynämäen Vesa]]'' (relegated 2021)
* ''[[Pesä Ysit]]'' (relegated 2021)
* ''[[Siilinjärven Pesis]]'' (relegated 2021)
* ''[[Kempeleen Kiri]]'' (relegated 2023)
* ''[[Haminan Palloilijat]]'' (relegated 2024)

==== Withdrew from league ====
* ''[[Kajaanin Hymy]]'' (left after 2001)
* ''[[Vimpelin Veto]]'' (left after 2002)
* ''[[Hämeenlinnan Paukku]]'' (left after 2003)
* ''[[Pattijoen Urheilijat]]'' (left after 2003)
* ''[[Peräseinäjoen Toive]]'' (left after 2004)
* ''[[Sotkamon Jymy]]'' (left after 2006)
* ''[[Ylihärmän Pesis-Junkkarit]]'' (left after 2012)
* ''[[PeTo-Jussit]]'' (left after 2012)
* ''[[Turku-Pesis]]'' (left after 2013)
* ''[[Vuokatin Veto]]'' (left after 2014)
* ''[[Kankaanpään Maila]]'' (left after 2015)
* ''[[Vihdin Pallo]]'' (left after 2016)
* ''[[Viinijärven Urheilijat]]'' (left after 2016)
* ''[[Kajaanin Pallokerho]]'' (left after 2017)
* ''[[Oulun Lipottaret]]'' (left after 2018)
===Alternate stadiums===
In addition to the team's ordinary stadiums, regular season matches have also been played at [[Bolt Arena]], Helsinki,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.superjymy.fi/reissu-paattyi-voitonjuhliin/|publisher=Superjymy|language=fi|title=Reissu päättyi voitonjuhliin|access-date=26 December 2023|date=30 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/a/3-12443925|title=Superpesis vauhtiin kotimaassa: Sotkamon juhlat Alajärvellä, Joensuulle potti Helsingissä|date=12 May 2025|access-date=19 June 2025|language=fi|publisher=[[Yle]]}}</ref> at [[Hiiu Stadium]] in [[Tallinn]], [[Estonia]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.superpesis.fi/uutiset/tahkon-vahva-vire-jatkui-tallinnassa-eestipesis-yleiso-nautti-upeasta-tapahtumasta/|title=Tahkon vahva vire jatkui Tallinnassa – Eestipesis-yleisö nautti upeasta tapahtumasta!|date=8 June 2019|access-date=26 December 2023|language=fi|publisher=Superpesis}}</ref> and at Complejo Deportivo Municipal Elola in [[Fuengirola]], [[Spain]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.is.fi/pesapallo/art-2000005650971.html|publisher=[[Ilta-Sanomat]]|access-date=26 December 2023|date=21 April 2018|title=Huikea yleisömäärä Espanjan pesishuumassa – myös NHL-veteraani ihasteli karnevaalimeininkiä}}</ref>

The selected stadiums for such events have usually been [[association football]] pitches with [[artificial grass]]. In comparison, plans to play the 2022 Superpesis finals at [[Helsinki Olympic Stadium]] as best-of-1 series were scrapped in part due to teams' opposition to playing on natural [[grass]] (though with sand drizzled on)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/pesapallo/a/d137a797-1a6f-4071-b85d-8f617b1db73d|title=Pesisfinaalia puuhataan Olympiastadionille, nurmelle kipattaisiin hiekkaa – idealle täystyrmäys|date=12 May 2021|access-date=26 December 2023|language=fi|publisher=[[Iltalehti]]}}</ref> and large portions of [[track and field]] surfacing.

==Competition format==
During league play, the teams earn:
*3 points for winning in 2 periods.
*2 points for winning in 3 or more periods.
*1 point for losing in 3 or more periods.
===Men's Superpesis===
The men's league began using a partially split league table in the 2024 season, similar to that of the [[Scottish Premiership]] in [[association football]]. After 24 matches, the top 7 teams enter a top section, while the bottom 6 teams enter a bottom section.

The top section plays an additional 6 matches. Top 6 progress to the quarter-finals, while the 7th-placed team goes to the preliminary knockout round.

The bottom section plays an additional 5 matches. Top 3 progress to the preliminary knockout round, the 4th-placed team finished their season, while the 5th- and 6th-placed teams play a best-of-5 relegation play-out. The play-out winner finishes their season, while the loser enters a promotion/relegation best-of-3 against the Ykköspesis winner. The loser is relegated to, or remains in, the Ykköspesis.

In the knockout rounds, the preliminary round is played best-of-3, and the winners go to the quarter-finals. The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final are played best-of-5. Additionally, a bronze match is played as best-of-3.

===Women's Superpesis===
As of the 2024 season, the women's league uses a similar system to the men's league, but without a split table. Instead the top 6 progress to the quarter-finals, while the 7th- through 10th-placed teams went to the preliminary knockout round.

== List of champions ==
[[File:Kiri vs. Mailaveikot 1953.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Finnish Baseball has been a tight twist even since wartime. The picture was taken from the match between Kiri in Jyväskylä and Mailaveikko in Lahti in 1953.]]
[[File:Vimpelin Veto Sm 1965.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Finnish Champion team, Vimpelin Veto in 1965]]
[[File:SMJ-Tahko 1981.JPG|right|300px|thumb|Picture from the men's Finnish Championship series match SMJ - Tahko in 1981.]]
[[File:Kerubi_Stadion.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Joensuu JoMa (Kerubi Stadion)]]
[[File:Jymy - KPL (26.6.2020).jpg|right|300px|thumb|Sotkamon Jymy - Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät in 2020 finals]]
=== Championship Series 1922–1989 ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Men
!Women
|-
|1922
|Helsingin Pallonlyöjät, [[Helsinki]]
|rowspan="9"|
|-
|1923
|Helsingin Pallonlyöjät, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1924
|Helsingin Pallonlyöjät, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1925
|Lahden Suojeluskunta, [[Lahti]]
|-
|1926
|Helsingin Pallonlyöjät, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1927
|Helsingin Pallonlyöjät, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1928
|Viipurin Pallonlyöjät, [[Vyborg]]
|-
|1929
|Lahden Maila-Veikot, [[Lahti]]
|-
|1930
|Lahden Maila-Veikot, [[Lahti]]
|-
|1931
|Lahden Maila-Veikot, [[Lahti]]
|Lahden Maila-Veikot, [[Lahti]]
|-
|1932
|Lahden Maila-Veikot, [[Lahti]]
|Helsingin Pallonlyöjät, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1933
|Riihimäen Pallonlyöjät, [[Riihimäki]]
|[[Tampereen Pyrintö]], [[Tampere]]
|-
|1934
|Helsingin Pallonlyöjät, [[Helsinki]]
|Viipurin Pallonlyöjät, [[Vyborg]]
|-
|1935
|Kuusankosken Veto, [[Kuusankoski]]
|[[Tampereen Pyrintö]], [[Tampere]]
|-
|1936
|[[Hämeenlinnan Pallokerho]], [[Hämeenlinna]]
|[[Tampereen Pyrintö]], [[Tampere]]
|-
|1937
|Kuusankosken Veto, [[Kuusankoski]]
|[[Tampereen Pyrintö]], [[Tampere]]
|-
|1938
|Helsingin Pallonlyöjät, [[Helsinki]]
|Katajanokan Haukat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1939
|Haminan Palloilijat, [[Hamina]]
|Katajanokan Haukat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1940
|Kuusankosken Veto, [[Kuusankoski]]
|Katajanokan Haukat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1941
|align=center|''cancelled''
|rowspan="5" align=center|''cancelled''
|-
|1942
|[[Valtion lentokonetehdas]], [[Tampere]]
|-
|1943
|Haminan Palloilijat, [[Hamina]]
|-
|1944
|align=center|''cancelled''
|-
|1945
|Toijalan Pallo-Veikot, [[Toijala]]
|-
|1946
|Toijalan Pallo-Veikot, [[Toijala]]
|Katajanokan Haukat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1947
|Haminan Palloilijat, [[Hamina]]
|Vimppelin Veto, [[Vimpeli]]
|-
|1948
|Haminan Palloilijat, [[Hamina]]
|Vimppelin Veto, [[Vimpeli]]
|-
|1949
|Lahden Maila-Veikot, [[Lahti]]
|Lahden Koripalloilijat, [[Lahti]]
|-
|1950
|Lahden Maila-Veikot, [[Lahti]]
|Helsingin Pallo-Toverit, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1951
|Lahden Maila-Veikot, [[Lahti]]
|Helsingin Pallo-Toverit, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1952
|Lahden Maila-Veikot, [[Lahti]]
|Helsingin Pallo-Toverit, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1953
|Jyväskylän Kiri, [[Jyväskylä]]
|Helsingin Pallo-Toverit, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1954
|Haminan Palloilijat, [[Hamina]]
|Helsingin Pallo-Toverit, [[Helsinki]]
|-
||1955
|Haminan Palloilijat, [[Hamina]]
|Kelta-Mustat, [[Kuopio]]
|-
|1956
|Jyväskylän Kiri, [[Jyväskylä]]
|Helsingin Pallo-Toverit, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1957
|Jyväskylän Kiri, [[Jyväskylä]]
|Jyväskylän Kiri, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|1958
|Jyväskylän Kiri, [[Jyväskylä]]
|Helsingin Pallo-Toverit, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1959
|Helsingin Pallo-Toverit, [[Helsinki]]
|Helsingin Pallo-Toverit, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1960
|Vimpelin Veto, [[Vimpeli]]
|Työväen Mailapojat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1961
|Ilmajoen Kisailijat, [[Ilmajoki]]
|Työväen Mailapojat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1962
|Ilmajoen Kisailijat, [[Ilmajoki]]
|Työväen Mailapojat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1963
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|Helsingin Pallo-Toverit, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1964
|Jyväskylän Kiri. [[Jyväskylä]]
|Helsingin Pallo-Toverit, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1965
|Vimpelin Veto, [[Vimpeli]]
|Helsingin Pallo-Toverit, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1966
|Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät, [[Kouvola]]
|Helsingin Pallo-Toverit, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1967
|Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät, [[Kouvola]]
|Työväen Mailapojat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1968
|Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät, [[Kouvola]]
|Työväen Mailapojat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1969
|Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät, [[Kouvola]]
|Työväen Mailapojat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1970
|Ulvilan Pesä-Veikot, [[Ulvila]]
|Puna-Mustat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1971
|Oulun Lippo, [[Oulu]]
|Työväen Mailapojat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1972
|Oulun Lippo, [[Oulu]]
|Puna-Mustat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1973
|Puna-Mustat, [[Helsinki]]
|Työväen Mailapojat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1974
|Haminan Palloilijat, [[Hamina]]
|Puna-Mustat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1975
|Seinäjoen Maila-Jussit, [[Seinäjoki]]
|Puna-Mustat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1976
|Kouvolan Pallonlyöjät, [[Kouvola]]
|Puna-Mustat, [[Helsinki]]
|-
|1977
|Imatran Pallo-Veikot, [[Imatra]]
|Seinäjoen Maila-Jussit, [[Seinäjoki]]
|-
|1978
|Imatran Pallo-Veikot, [[Imatra]]
|[[Lapuan Virkiä]], [[Lapua]]
|-
|1979
|[[Hyvinkään Tahko]], [[Hyvinkää]]
|[[Hyvinkään Tahko]], [[Hyvinkää]]
|-
|1980
|[[Hyvinkään Tahko]], [[Hyvinkää]]
|Riihimäen Pallonlyöjät, [[Riihimäki]]
|-
|1981
|[[Hyvinkään Tahko]], [[Hyvinkää]]
|Riihimäen Pallonlyöjät, [[Riihimäki]]
|-
|1982
|Jyväskylän Kiri, [[Jyväskylä]]
|Lännen Pallo, [[Turku]]
|-
|1983
|Seinäjoen Maila-Jussit, [[Seinäjoki]]
|[[Hyvinkään Tahko]], [[Hyvinkää]]
|-
|1984
|Jyväskylän Kiri, [[Jyväskylä]]
|Mansen Pesäpallo, [[Tampere]]
|-
|1985
|Seinäjoen Maila-Jussit, [[Seinäjoki]]
|Ikaalisten Tarmo, [[Ikaalinen]]
|-
|1986
|Imatran Pallo-Veikot, [[Imatra]]
|Ikaalisten Tarmo, [[Ikaalinen]]
|-
|1987
|Seinäjoen Maila-Jussit, [[Seinäjoki]]
|Ikaalisten Tarmo, [[Ikaalinen]]
|-
|1988
|Alajärven Ankkurit, [[Alajärvi]]
|[[Lapuan Virkiä]], [[Lapua]]
|-
|1989
|Alajärven Ankkurit, [[Alajärvi]]
|Jyväskylän Kiri, [[Jyväskylä]]
|}

=== Superpesis ===
[[File:Toni Kohonen 2015.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Toni Kohonen is one of Finland's most successful pesäpallo player of all time.]]
[[File:Juha Korhonen 03072011.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Player of the Year 2012 and Hyvinkää Tahko franchise's player Juha Korhonen]]
[[File:Lippo-SiiPe Raksila Oulu 20210919 06.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Decisive promotion qualifying match to Superpesis, Oulu Lippo against SiiPe in the 2020-21 season]]
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Men
!Women
|-
|1990
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|Viinijärven Urheilijat, [[Viinijärvi]]
|-
|1991
|Imatran Pallo-Veikot, [[Imatra]]
|Ikaalisten Tarmo, [[Ikaalinen]]
|-
|1992
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|[[Lapuan Virkiä]], [[Lapua]]
|-
|1993
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|[[Lapuan Virkiä]], [[Lapua]]
|-
|1994
|Oulun Lippo, [[Oulu]]
|Oulun Lippo, [[Oulu]]
|-
|1995
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|Oulun Lippo, [[Oulu]]
|-
|1996
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|Jyväskylän Kiri, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|1997
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|Jyväskylän Kiri, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|1998
|Oulun Lippo, [[Oulu]]
|Vihdin Pallo, [[Vihti]]
|-
|1999
|Kiteen Pallo -90, [[Kitee]]
|Siilinjärven Pesis, [[Siilinjärvi]]
|-
|2000
|Kiteen Pallo -90, [[Kitee]]
|Pattijoen Urheilijat, [[Pattijoki]]
|-
|2001
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|[[Lapuan Virkiä]], [[Lapua]]
|-
|2002
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|Pesäkarhut, [[Pori]]
|-
|2003
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|Jyväskylän Kirittäret, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|2004
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|[[Lapuan Virkiä]], [[Lapua]]
|-
|2005
|Kiteen Pallo -90, [[Kitee]]
|Jyväskylän Kirittäret, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|2006
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|Jyväskylän Kirittäret, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|2007
|[[Hyvinkään Tahko]], [[Hyvinkää]]
|Jyväskylän Kirittäret, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|2008
|Pattijoen Urheilijat, [[Raahe]]
|Jyväskylän Kirittäret, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|2009
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|Jyväskylän Kirittäret, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|2010
|Vimpelin Veto, [[Vimpeli]]
|Jyväskylän Kirittäret, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|2011
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|[[Lapuan Virkiä]], [[Lapua]]
|-
|2012
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|[[Lapuan Virkiä]], [[Lapua]]
|-
|2013
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|[[Lapuan Virkiä]], [[Lapua]]
|-
|2014
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|[[Lapuan Virkiä]], [[Lapua]]
|-
|2015
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|[[Lapuan Virkiä]], [[Lapua]]
|-
|2016
|Vimpelin Veto, [[Vimpeli]]
|Jyväskylän Kirittäret, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|2017
|Vimpelin Veto, [[Vimpeli]]
|Manse PP, [[Tampere]]
|-
|2018
|Joensuun Maila, [[Joensuu]]
|Jyväskylän Kirittäret, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|2019
|Joensuun Maila, [[Joensuu]]
|Jyväskylän Kirittäret, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|2020
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|Jyväskylän Kirittäret, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|2021
|Manse PP, [[Tampere]]
|Pesäkarhut, [[Pori]]
|-
|2022
|Vimpelin Veto, [[Vimpeli]]
|Jyväskylän Kirittäret, [[Jyväskylä]]
|-
|2023
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]
|Pesäkarhut, [[Pori]]
|-
|2024
|Sotkamon Jymy, [[Sotkamo]]<ref>https://www.superpesis.fi/ajankohtaista/sotkamon-jymy-on-toisena-vuonna-perakkain-suomen-mestari</ref>
|Manse PP, [[Tampere]]
|-
|2025
|
|
|}

==Talvisuper==
''Talvisuper'' is the main winter competition in pesäpallo. Although treated as a separate competition from Superpesis, it features many of the same teams, along with a few teams from Ykköspesis. The competition runs from December through April.

In contrast to the main Superpesis, where matches are generally held at stadiums dedicated solely to pesäpallo, Talvisuper is mostly held in indoor halls with artificial grass, with the halls being designed primarily for [[association football]] and occasionally [[track and field]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://joensuunmaila.fi/fi-fi/article/halli-sm/hallikausi-huipentuu-joensuussa-lue-lopputurnauksen-infopaketti-tasta/1478/|title=HALLIKAUSI HUIPENTUU JOENSUUSSA – LUE LOPPUTURNAUKSEN INFOPAKETTI TÄSTÄ!|language=fi|publisher=Joensuun Maila|access-date=22 December 2023|date=17 March 2023}}</ref>

The finals of Talvisuper are known as ''Halli-SM'' (Hall Finnish Championship).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ruutu.fi/ohjelmat/superpesis-halli-sm-naiset|title=Superpesis Halli-SM, Naiset|access-date=22 December 2023|language=fi|publisher=[[Ruutu]]}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Finnish pesäpallo match-fixing scandal]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
{{Commonscat}}
*[https://www.superpesis.fi/ Official website]

{{Superpesis}}
{{Top sport leagues in Finland}}

[[Category:Pesäpallo]]
[[Category:Sports leagues established in 1990]]
[[Category:1990 establishments in Finland]]
[[Category:Professional sports leagues in Finland]]