2026 Esiliiga

Esiliiga
Season2026
Dates5 March – 8 November 2026
Matches105
Goals201 (1.91 per match)
Top goalscorerKenlou Laasner (26 goals)
Biggest home winFlora U21 5–0 Tallinn
Flora U21 5–0 Maardu
Biggest away winMaardu 1–8 Welco
Highest scoringTallinn 6–3 Nõmme Kalju U21
Maardu 1–8 Welco
Longest winning run6 games
Welco
Flora U21
Longest unbeaten run9 games
Welco
Longest winless run9 games
Nõmme United U21
Longest losing run5 games
FCI Levadia U21
← 2025
2027 →
All statistics correct as of 3 August 2026.

The 2026 Esiliiga is the 36th season of the Esiliiga. The season began on 5 March 2026 and is set to conclude on 8 November 2026.

Teams

The league consisted of ten teams; seven teams remaining from the previous season, two teams promoted from the Esiliiga B, and one team relegated from the Meistriliiga.

The promoted teams were the 2025 Esiliiga B champions Maardu Linnameeskond and runners-up Nõmme United U21. They replaced the 2025 Esiliiga bottom two teams Tallinna Kalev U21 and Tammeka U21.

The relegated team was the 2025 Meistriliiga bottom-placed team Tallinna Kalev. They replaced the 2025 Esiliiga champions Nõmme United.

Stadiums and locations

Team Location Stadium Capacity
Elva Otepää Tehvandi Stadium 3,144[1]
FCI Levadia U21 Tallinn Maarjamäe Stadium 30[2]
Flora U21 Lilleküla Training Ground I 150[3]
Maardu Linnameeskond Maardu Maardu Linnastaadion 500[4]
Nõmme Kalju U21 Tallinn Hiiu Stadium 570[5]
Nõmme United U21 Männiku Stadium 500[6]
Tallinn Lasnamäe Sports Complex Stadium 200[7]
Tallinna Kalev Sportland Arena 1,172[8]
Viimsi Haabneeme Viimsi Stadium 1,006[9]
Welco Tartu Holm Park 580[10]

Personnel and kits

Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
Elva Estonia Kaido Koppel Estonia Jasper Reilson Nike Unibet, Sportland
FCI Levadia U21 Estonia Sergei Mošnikov Estonia Romeo Aan Macron[11] Viimsi Keevitus
Flora U21 Estonia Ats Sillaste Estonia Joosep Palts Nike Zondacrypto[12]
Maardu Linnameeskond Estonia Deniss Kovtun Estonia Aleksandr Kulinitš Givova None
Nõmme Kalju U21 Estonia Erik Šteinberg Estonia Igor Subbotin Adidas None
Nõmme United U21 Estonia Eero Maling Estonia Mark Villem Marmei Adidas TonyBet
Tallinn Estonia Andrei Kalimullin Estonia Vladislav Tšurilkin Adidas None
Tallinna Kalev Estonia Randin Rande Estonia Vadim Mihhailov Macron None
Viimsi Estonia Andres Oper
Estonia Arli Salm		 Estonia Karl Erich Kaljuvere Joma Assa Abloy, Penosil
Welco Estonia Alo Bärengrub Estonia Taijo Teniste Adidas Holm Bank

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in the table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Welco Estonia Jaanus Reitel Mutual consent 9 November 2025[13] Pre-season Estonia Alo Bärengrub 22 December 2025[14]
FCI Levadia U21 Spain Santi García End of contract 4 December 2025[15] Estonia Dmitri Kruglov 11 December 2025[16]
Viimsi Estonia Ivo Lehtmets Resigned 5 December 2025[17] Estonia Andres Oper
Estonia Arli Salm		 8 December 2025[18]
Flora U21 Estonia Taavi Viik Signed by Vaprus 19 December 2025[19] Estonia Ats Sillaste 2 January 2026[20]
Tallinna Kalev Estonia Alo Bärengrub Signed by Welco 22 December 2025[14] Serbia Ivan Stojković 22 December 2025[21]
Nõmme United U21 Estonia Risto Sarapik Resigned 14 January 2026[22] Estonia Eero Maling 16 January 2026[23]
Tallinna Kalev Serbia Ivan Stojković 26 April 2026[24] 6th Estonia Randin Rande 26 April 2026
FCI Levadia U21 Estonia Dmitri Kruglov Contract terminated 2 June 2026[25] 10th Estonia Sergei Mošnikov 2 June 2026

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Welco 26 17 3 6 75 38 +37 54 Promotion to the Meistriliiga
2 Viimsi 26 14 5 7 50 26 +24 47 Qualification for the Meistriliiga play-off
3 Flora U21[a] 26 13 5 8 62 42 +20 44
4 Elva 26 12 5 9 43 37 +6 41
5 Maardu Linnameeskond 26 11 5 10 43 54 −11 38
6 Tallinna Kalev 26 10 5 11 48 50 −2 35
7 FCI Levadia U21[a] 26 11 1 14 49 52 −3 34
8 Nõmme United U21[a] 26 7 6 13 43 57 −14 27 Qualification for the Esiliiga play-off
9 Tallinn 26 6 7 13 31 56 −25 25 Relegation to the Esiliiga B
10 Nõmme Kalju U21[a] 26 6 4 16 35 67 −32 22
Updated to match(es) played on 30 August 2026. Source: Esiliiga
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Less matches awarded against; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Matches won; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Away goals scored; 9) Fair-play points; 10) Draw[26]
Notes:
  1. 1 2 3 4 Ineligible for promotion

Results

Home \ Away ELV FCI FLO MLM NÕK NÕM TAL TLK VII WEL
Elva 3–2 0–3 4–3 2–4 1–3 2–0 3–1 1–0 0–2
0–0 1–0 0–1 2–1
FCI Levadia U21 1–3 1–3 1–2 2–0 0–1 4–0 3–2 1–2 1–3
2–2 4–2 2–1 3–2 2–0
Flora U21 3–2 0–4 5–0 3–1 2–2 5–0 3–1 0–4 1–6
1–3 3–0 5–0 2–1
Maardu Linnameeskond 0–3 3–2 3–2 2–1 2–1 1–1 1–1 1–0 0–1
4–2 1–0 1–2 1–8
Nõmme Kalju U21 2–2 1–0 0–5 3–2 4–1 1–3 0–4 0–0 1–5
0–2 1–4 0–3 1–1 2–4
Nõmme United U21 1–0 1–2 3–3 4–1 0–3 2–2 1–2 0–3 1–3
0–1 1–1 2–0 2–1
Tallinn 1–1 4–2 1–3 0–0 6–3 4–3 1–1 0–2 0–2
0–3 1–0 0–2 1–1
Tallinna Kalev 2–1 1–2 1–4 3–3 5–1 4–4 5–1 0–3 2–0
1–0 1–3 3–1 1–1
Viimsi 1–3 5–0 2–1 1–1 2–2 1–3 5–1 2–0 2–0
4–1 1–2
Welco 3–3 3–2 3–3 5–1 4–2 5–2 4–0 3–0 2–2
4–2 2–1 0–2 1–3
Updated to match(es) played on 30 August 2026. Source: Esiliiga
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Awards

Monthly awards

Month Player of the Month Manager of the Month
Player Club Manager Club
March[27] Estonia Kenlou Laasner Welco Estonia Alo Bärengrub Welco
April[28] Estonia Marten Kukkonen Flora U21 Estonia Ats Sillaste Flora U21
May[29] Senegal Moussa Félix Sambe FCI Levadia U21 Estonia Andres Oper
Estonia Arli Salm		 Viimsi
June/July[30] Estonia Kenlou Laasner Welco Estonia Sergei Mošnikov FCI Levadia U21

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Tehvandi Spordikeskuse staadion". Spordiregister.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  2. ↑ "Maarjamäe jalgpallikeskus". Spordiregister.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "A. Le Coq Arena I ja II muruväljak". Spordiregister.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  4. ↑ "Maardu linna spordiväljakud". Spordiregister.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  5. ↑ "Hiiu Staadioni spordiväljakud". Spordiregister.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  6. ↑ "Männiku Jalgpallikeskuse jalgpalliväljakud". Spordiregister.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  7. ↑ "Lasnamäe Spordikompleksi staadion ja palliväljakud". Spordiregister.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  8. ↑ "Sportland Arena". Spordiregister.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  9. ↑ "Viimsi staadion". Spordiregister.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  10. ↑ "Holm Jalgpallipark". Spordiregister.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  11. ↑ "FCI Levadia uueks tehniliseks partneriks on hooajast 2023 Itaalia spordirõivaste bränd Macron, mida esindab Eestis 4Teams". fcilevadia.ee. 12 January 2023.
  12. ↑ "zondacrypto announces the partnership with FC Flora Tallinn!". zondacrypto. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  13. ↑ "Reiteli jaoks jääb tänavune hooaeg Welcos viimaseks". Soccernet.ee (in Estonian). 24 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  14. 1 2 "Kalevist Welcosse kolinud Bärengrub: siht on tõusta suurte poiste sekka". Soccernet.ee (in Estonian). 22 December 2025. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  15. ↑ "Levadia duubli peatreener lahkus klubist suure rahuloluga". Soccernet.ee (in Estonian). 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  16. ↑ "Levadia noored uuele tasemele viinud Dmitri Kruglov sai ametikõrgendust". Soccernet.ee (in Estonian). 11 December 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  17. ↑ "Lehtmets astus Viimsi peatreenerikohalt tagasi". Soccernet.ee (in Estonian). 5 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  18. ↑ "Viimsit juhendavad edaspidi kaks kaaspeatreenerit, nende seas koondise rekordväravakütt". Soccernet.ee (in Estonian). 8 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  19. ↑ "Ametlik: Vaprus tõi Prinsi abiliseks endise Flora peatreeneri". Soccernet.ee (in Estonian). 19 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  20. ↑ "Paidest lahkunud Sillaste sai peatreeneriks endale tuttavas esiliigasatsis". Soccernet.ee (in Estonian). 2 January 2026. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  21. ↑ "Tagasi tüüri juures! Kalevi uueks peatreeneriks nimetati Stojkovic". Soccernet.ee (in Estonian). 22 December 2025. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  22. ↑ "Nõmme Unitedi duubli Esiliigasse tõstnud Sarapik võttis jalgpallist pausi". Soccernet.ee (in Estonian). 14 January 2026. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  23. ↑ "Sarapiku töö Esiliigasse tõusnud tiimis võtab üle senine abitreener". Soccernet.ee (in Estonian). 16 January 2026. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  24. ↑ "Stojkovic pani juba seitsme vooru järel ameti maha". Soccernet.ee (in Estonian). 26 April 2026. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  25. ↑ "Suured muutused Levadias: Kruglov ja Tammus lahkusid klubist, treenerid vahetuvad". Soccernet.ee (in Estonian). 2 June 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  26. ↑ "Eesti 2026. a jalgpalli meistrivõistluste A. Le Coq Premium liiga ja Esiliigade juhend" (PDF) (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. pp. 17–18. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  27. ↑ "Esiliiga kuu parimad kuuluvad Welcole" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 6 April 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  28. ↑ "Esiliiga aprillikuu parimad tulevad Flora duubelvõistkonnast" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 5 May 2026. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  29. ↑ "Esiliiga kuu parimateks nimetati Levadia ründaja ja Viimsi treeneriduo" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 5 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  30. ↑ "Esiliiga juuni- ja juulikuu parimad tulevad Tartust ja Tallinnast" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 5 August 2026. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
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