Kuopion Palloseura

History

The club was officially founded on 16 March 1923, at Kuopion Seurahuone. The club was named Kuopion Palloseura ("Kuopio Ball Club") with an abbreviation of KPS, which was later changed to KuPS.

The club spent the majority of the 1920s playing friendly games against other local clubs. In the 1930s and early 1940s, the club played in the second highest tier of Finnish football. KuPS was first promoted to Mestaruussarja in 1947, but were relegated at the end of their first season. The club was promoted again in 1949 and this time remained in the top tier for 44 consecutive seasons.

During the club’s early years, KuPS played in black and green shirts with vertical stripes, white shorts and black socks. In 1935, the colors were changed to a yellow shirt, black shorts and yellow and black socks. At the same time, the club's abbreviation changed from KPS to KuPS.

KuPS golden era took place between the 1950s and 1970s, when the club won five league titles, finished runner up on eight occasions, and third once. The club also won the Finnish Cup for the first time in 1968.

KuPS played in the top flight without significant success in the 1980s. However, the 1980s ended with the club's second Finnish Cup triumph in 1989.[[Image:Kuopion keskuskentta nov 2010.jpg|250px|thumb|Kuopio Football Stadium in 2010.|left]]

In the 1990s, KuPS had financial problems and even dropped to the third tier for the first time. In the early 2000s, KuPS spent seasons in both the First Division and in Veikkausliiga. The club have been in the top-flight since 2008.

The club hasn’t finished lower than 3rd in the league table since 2017. In the 2019 season KuPS won its sixth league title, coached by Jani Honkavaara. In 2021 and 2022 the club won the Finnish Cup for the third and fourth times. In the 2024 season, KuPS won its first-ever league and cup double, after winning the Finnish Championship and the Finnish Cup titles, led again by coach Honkavaara and captain Petteri Pennanen.

In the 2025 league season the club won its eight championship in the Finnish league and became runner-ups in the Finnish Cup. KuPS also reached the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League league phase, their first-ever spot in the European competition league phase. One win and four draws secured the club a place in the knockout phase play-offs. The club became the first Finnish club to advance from the league phase to play-off rounds.

Season to season

|Season to Season

• 63 seasons in Veikkausliiga
• 23 seasons in Ykkönen
• 1 season in Kakkonen |}

European campaigns

UEFA club competition record

Competitions

UEFA coefficient

The following list ranks the current position of KuPS in UEFA club ranking:

Transfers

In the last few decades, KuPS have produced numerous local players for Veikkausliiga and a few who have transferred abroad. The four biggest incoming transfer fees KuPS have received came from local mostly homegrown players. The club’s record incoming transfer fee was for then 17-year old Matias Siltanen, who departed for Djurgården following a great debut season for KuPS in 2024.

Record transfers

Current squad

Out on loan

Management

As of 1 January 2026

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Boardroom

As of 1 January 2026

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Image:Ilja Venalainen KuPS vs Sakari Mattila Klubi-04.jpg| Ilja Venäläinen trailed by Klubi-04's Sakari Mattila (2007) Image:Jonni Heikkinen KuPS.jpg| Jonni Heikkinen escapes from a PK-37 player in Finnish Cup 5th Round, 2006 Image:Miikka Turunen KuPS 03 08 nr2.jpg| Miikka Turunen near the corner flag in Finnish League Cup, 2008 Image:Arto Lindberg KuPS Tuomas Haapala HJK 03 08.jpg| Arto Lindberg trying to keep Tuomas Haapala away

Honours

• Mestaruussarja/Veikkausliiga
  • Champions (8): 1956, 1958, 1966, 1974, 1976, 2019, 2024, 2025
  • Runners-up (13): 1950, 1954, 1964, 1967, 1969, 1975, 1977, 1979, 2010, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • Third place (3): 1953, 2018, 2020
• Finnish Cup
  • Champions (5): 1968, 1989, 2021, 2022, 2024
  • Runners-up (4): 2011, 2012, 2013, 2025
• Finnish League Cup
  • Champions (1): 2006
  • Runners-up (1): 2024
• Ykkönen (second tier)
  • Champions (3): 2000, 2004, 2007
• Kakkonen (third tier)
  • Champions (1): 1998

Managers

• FIN Aaro Heikkinen (1945–57)
• HUN Imre Nagy (1947)
• FIN Martti Kosma (1958)
• FIN Reino Miettinen (1959)
• FIN Veijo Pehkonen (1960)
• FIN Asser Väisänen (1960)
• FIN Aaro Heikkinen (1961–65)
• FIN Gunnar Boman (1966–68)
• FIN Veikko Jokinen (1969–71)
• FIN Unto Nevalainen (1969–71)
• FIN Martti Räsänen (1972–79)
• FIN Matti Terästö (initial term) (1980)
• FIN Jarmo Flink (final season) (1980)
• FIN Ari Savolainen (1981)
• FIN Matti Väänänen (1982)
• POL Bogusław Hajdas (1983–85)
• FIN Jouko Pasanen (1986)
• FIN Jouko Pasanen (1987)
• FIN Aarre Miettinen (July 1987)
• FIN Heikki Turunen (1988)
• FIN Aarre Miettinen (1988)
• FIN Heikki Turunen (1989)
• FIN Markku Hyvärinen (May 1989)
• FIN Olavi Rissanen (May 1989)
• FIN Martti Räsänen (1990–91)
• FIN Olavi Rissanen (1990–91)
• FIN Martti Räsänen (1992)
• FIN Jouni Jäntti (Sept 1992)
• FIN Markku Hyvärinen (Sept 1992)
• FIN Keijo Voutilainen (1993–1994)
• FIN Hannu Turunen (1995–96)
• FIN Atik Ismail (1995–96)
• FIN Jouni Jäntti (1997–98)
• FIN Ensio Pellikka (1998)
• FIN Heikki Turunen (1999)
• FIN Esa Pekonen (2000–2001)
• FIN Jari Pyykölä (1 January 2002 – 6 June 2003)
• FIN Ismo Lius (June 2003)
• FIN Juha Malinen (2005–2006)
• FIN Kai Nyyssönen (1 January 2007 – 13 June 2009)
• FIN Esa Pekonen (14 June 2009 – 24 April 2014)
• FIN Marko Rajamäki (2 May 2014 – 2016)
• FIN Jani Honkavaara (2017–2019)
• NOR Arne Erlandsen (2020)
• FIN Simo Valakari (2021– 19 January 2023)
• FIN Pasi Tuutti (19 January 2023 – 20 April 2023)
• FIN Jani Honkavaara (21 April 2023– 31 December 2024)
• FIN Jarkko Wiss (1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025)
• FIN Miika Nuutinen (1 January 2026 – present)

References

References

1. [https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/finalltime.html "Finnish League Premier Division All-Time Tables 1930–2007". rsssf.org] {{Webarchive. link. (28 January 2023 . (12 March 2008))
2. "Historia & Saavutukset". KuPS – Kuopion Palloseura.
3. (2005). "Kuopion Palloseura 1923–2004". Kuopion Palloseura.
4. "Tilastot ja taulukot". KuPS – Kuopion Palloseura.
5. "Finland – List of League First Level Tables". [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]].
6. "Finland – List of League Second Level Tables". [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]].
7. [https://www.is.fi/jalkapallo/art-2000010982963.html Jättisiirto! Matias Siltanen Ruotsin suurseuraan], [[Ilta-Sanomat]], 22 January 2025
8. [https://www.savonsanomat.fi/urheilu/6543063 Tony Miettisestä muhkea korvaus – Se kuitenkin kalpenee KuPSin ennätyssiirroille], [[Savon Sanomat]], 7 February 2024
9. [https://www.suomifutis.com/2018/06/ss-kups-myy-timanttinsa-seurahistoriansa-suurimmalla-siirtokovauksella/ SS: KuPS myy timanttinsa seurahistoriansa suurimmalla siirtokovauksella], suomifutis.com, 15 June 2018
10. [https://www.is.fi/veikkausliiga/art-2000008240286.html Tähtipelaajan lähtö yllätti KuPSin täydellisesti – mestaruushaaveille raskas isku], [[Ilta-Sanomat]], 3 September 2021
11. KuPS. "KuPS miehet edustusjoukkue 2025". kups.fi.
12. "Kuopion Palloseuran valmennustiimi 2026". KuPS.fi.
13. "Kuopion Palloseura Oy - Hallinto". KuPS.fi.