2026 Esiliiga

Last updated
Esiliiga
Season 2026
Dates5 March – 8 November 2026
Champions Welco
Promoted Welco
Relegated Maardu Linnameeskond (withdrawn)
Matches105
Goals201 (1.91 per match)
Top goalscorer Kenlou Laasner (26 goals)
Biggest home win Flora 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.

Contents

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

TeamLocationStadiumCapacity
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

TeamManagerCaptainKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
Elva Flag of Estonia.svg Kaido Koppel Flag of Estonia.svg Jasper Reilson Nike Unibet, Sportland
FCI Levadia U21 Flag of Estonia.svg Sergei Mošnikov Flag of Estonia.svg Romeo Aan Macron [11] Viimsi Keevitus
Flora U21 Flag of Estonia.svg Ats Sillaste Flag of Estonia.svg Joosep Palts NikeZondacrypto [12]
Maardu Linnameeskond Flag of Estonia.svg Aleksandr Kulinitš Givova None
Nõmme Kalju U21 Flag of Estonia.svg Erik Šteinberg Flag of Estonia.svg Igor Subbotin Adidas None
Nõmme United U21 Flag of Estonia.svg Eero Maling Flag of Estonia.svg Mark Villem Marmei Adidas TonyBet
Tallinn Flag of Estonia.svg Andrei Kalimullin Flag of Estonia.svg Vladimir Avilov AdidasNone
Tallinna Kalev Flag of Estonia.svg Randin Rande Flag of Estonia.svg Vadim Mihhailov MacronNone
Viimsi Flag of Estonia.svg Andres Oper
Flag of Estonia.svg Arli Salm 		Flag of Estonia.svg Karl Erich Kaljuvere Joma Assa Abloy, Penosil
Welco Flag of Estonia.svg Alo Bärengrub Flag of Estonia.svg Taijo Teniste AdidasHolm Bank

Managerial changes

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in the tableIncoming managerDate of appointment
Welco Flag of Estonia.svg Jaanus Reitel Mutual consent9 November 2025 [13] Pre-season Flag of Estonia.svg Alo Bärengrub 22 December 2025 [14]
FCI Levadia U21 Flag of Spain.svg Santi García End of contract4 December 2025 [15] Flag of Estonia.svg Dmitri Kruglov 11 December 2025 [16]
Viimsi Flag of Estonia.svg Ivo Lehtmets Resigned5 December 2025 [17] Flag of Estonia.svg Andres Oper
Flag of Estonia.svg Arli Salm 		8 December 2025 [18]
Flora U21 Flag of Estonia.svg Taavi Viik Signed by Vaprus 19 December 2025 [19] Flag of Estonia.svg Ats Sillaste 2 January 2026 [20]
Tallinna Kalev Flag of Estonia.svg Alo Bärengrub Signed by Welco 22 December 2025 [14] Flag of Serbia.svg Ivan Stojković 22 December 2025 [21]
Nõmme United U21 Flag of Estonia.svg Risto Sarapik Resigned14 January 2026 [22] Flag of Estonia.svg Eero Maling 16 January 2026 [23]
Tallinna Kalev Flag of Serbia.svg Ivan Stojković 26 April 2026 [24] 6th Flag of Estonia.svg Randin Rande 26 April 2026
FCI Levadia U21 Flag of Estonia.svg Dmitri Kruglov Contract terminated2 June 2026 [25] 10th Flag of Estonia.svg Sergei Mošnikov 2 June 2026

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion, qualification or relegation
1 Welco (C, P)3322569239+5371Promotion to the Meistriliiga
2 Viimsi 32175105832+2656Qualification for the Meistriliiga play-off
3 Flora U21 [a] 32156117355+1851
4 Elva 32156114748−151
5 FCI Levadia U21 [a] 32162146255+750
6 Tallinna Kalev 31117135357−440
7 Nõmme United U21 [a] 32116155063−1339
8 Tallinn 3298154171−3035Qualification for the Esiliiga play-off
9 Nõmme Kalju U21 [a] 3274213880−4225Relegation to the Esiliiga B
10 Maardu Linnameeskond 36125194559−1441Club withdrawn
Updated to match(es) played on 15 October 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]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. 1 2 3 4 Ineligible for promotion

Results

Home \ Away ELV FCI FLO MLM NÕK NÕM TAL TLK VII WEL
Elva 3–20–34–32–41–32–03–11–00–2
0–01–01–01–10–12–1
FCI Levadia U21 1–31–31–22–00–14–03–21–21–3
2–26–2null [a] 1–04–22–13–22–00–0
Flora U21 3–20–45–03–12–25–03–10–41–6
1–21–33–01–25–02–1
Maardu Linnameeskond 0–33–23–22–12–11–11–11–00–1
null [b] 4–2null [c] null [d] 2–11–0null [e] 1–21–8
Nõmme Kalju U21 2–21–00–53–24–11–30–40–01–5
0–21–51–42–30–31–12–4
Nõmme United U21 1–01–23–34–10–32–21–20–31–3
0–10–11–1null [f] 2–02–11–02–1
Tallinn 1–14–21–30–06–34–31–10–20–2
0–31–51–0null [g] 0–21–10–7
Tallinna Kalev 2–11–21–43–35–14–45–10–32–0
1–02–21–33–11–11–21–1
Viimsi 1–35–02–11–12–21–35–12–02–0
5–0null [h] 4–11–21–20–2
Welco 3–33–23–35–14–25–24–03–02–2
4–04–22–1null [i] 3–00–21–3
Updated to match(es) played on 15 October 2026. Source: Esiliiga
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
  1. ↑ FCI Levadia U21 awarded win due to Maardu Linnameeskond withdrawing from league.
  2. ↑ Elva awarded win due to Maardu Linnameeskond withdrawing from league.
  3. ↑ Flora U21 awarded win due to Maardu Linnameeskond withdrawing from league.
  4. ↑ Nõmme Kalju U21 awarded win due to Maardu Linnameeskond withdrawing from league.
  5. ↑ Tallinna Kalev awarded win due to Maardu Linnameeskond withdrawing from league.
  6. ↑ Nõmme United U21 awarded win due to Maardu Linnameeskond withdrawing from league.
  7. ↑ Tallinn awarded win due to Maardu Linnameeskond withdrawing from league.
  8. ↑ Viimsi awarded win due to Maardu Linnameeskond withdrawing from league.
  9. ↑ Welco awarded win due to Maardu Linnameeskond withdrawing from league.

Esiliiga play-off

The eighth-placed team will face the third-placed team of the 2026 Esiliiga B in a two-legged play-off for the final place in the 2027 Esiliiga.

Awards

Monthly awards

MonthPlayer of the MonthManager of the Month
PlayerClubManagerClub
March [27] Flag of Estonia.svg Kenlou Laasner Welco Flag of Estonia.svg Alo Bärengrub Welco
April [28] Flag of Estonia.svg Marten Kukkonen Flora U21 Flag of Estonia.svg Ats Sillaste Flora U21
May [29] Flag of Senegal.svg Moussa Félix Sambe FCI Levadia U21 Flag of Estonia.svg Andres Oper
Flag of Estonia.svg Arli Salm 		Viimsi
June/July [30] Flag of Estonia.svg Kenlou Laasner Welco Flag of Estonia.svg Sergei Mošnikov FCI Levadia U21
August [31] Flag of Latvia.svg Dinārs Ekharts Viimsi
September [32] Flag of Estonia.svg Marcus Agarmaa Welco Flag of Estonia.svg Kaido Koppel Elva

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.
  31. ↑ "Esiliiga kuu parim mängija tuleb Viimsist" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 4 September 2026. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
  32. ↑ "Esiliiga kuu parimad kuuluvad Welcole ja Elvale" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. 13 October 2026. Retrieved 13 October 2026.
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