Kolmonen


Kolmonen or III divisioona is the fifth level in the league system of Finnish football and comprises 108 Finnish football teams. The III divisioona was introduced in 1973 and in the mid-1990s became known as the Kolmonen. Until the end of 2023 season, Kolmonen was the fourth level in the pyramid, but after the creation of new second-tier Ykkösliiga, Kolmonen fell down one level, starting in 2024.

The competition

There are 108 clubs in the Kolmonen, divided in 10 groups of 8 to 12 teams each representing a geographical area. During the course of a season each club plays the others twice, once on their home ground and once on that of their opponents. The top team in each Kolmonen group is promoted to Kakkonen and the two lowest placed teams are normally relegated to the Nelonen.

Administration

[Football Association of Finland] (SPL)

The Football Association of Finland administered the Kolmonen from 1973 until 1995. There were 9 sections which were divided on a regional basis with between 8 and 12 teams in each.

District Football Associations">Finnish District Football Associations">District Football Associations

Since 1996 until 2020 the administration of the Kolmonen was delegated to the 12 district authorities of the SPL. Responsibilities for the 10 sections were divided as follows:
Since 2020 the competition administration has returned to the SPL after the fusion of the administrative districts and the SPL.
Teams within the Kolmonen are eligible to compete in the Finnish Cup and the Finnish Regions' Cup. The clubs are normally listed in an abbreviated form and their full names can be viewed by referring to the List of clubs.

Current clubs - 2024 season

South - Group A

South - Group B

South - Group C

East - Group AC1

East - Group AC2

East - Group B

West - Group A

West - Group B

West - Group C

North