Kuopion Palloseura

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KuPS
KuPS logo.svg
Full nameKuopion Palloseura
Nickname(s)Keltamusta (The Yellow-Black)
Kanarialinnut (The Canaries)
Founded1923;102 years ago (1923)
Ground Väre Areena
Kuopio
Capacity5,000 (2,700 seated)
Chairman Ari Lahti
Manager Jarkko Wiss
League Veikkausliiga
2024 Veikkausliiga, 1st of 12 (champions)
Website www.kups.fi OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Soccerball current event.svg Current season

Kuopion Palloseura, commonly referred to as KuPS, is a Finnish professional football club based in Kuopio. KuPS competes in Veikkausliiga, the top flight of Finnish football. The team plays its home matches at Kuopio Football Stadium.

Contents

KuPS has won seven Finnish championship titles, the Finnish Cup five times and the Finnish League Cup once. The club is placed fourth in the all-time Finnish Premier League honor table. [1]

History

First team in 1923 KuPS1923.jpg
First team in 1923

The club was officially founded on 16 March 1923, at Kuopion Seurahuone. The club was named Kuopion Palloseura ("Kuopio Football Club") with an abbreviation of KPS, which was later changed to KuPS. [2]

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. [2]

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. [3] [2]

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. [2]

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. [2]

Kuopio Football Stadium in 2010. Kuopion keskuskentta nov 2010.jpg
Kuopio Football Stadium in 2010.
KuPS vs HJK at Magnum Areena, Kuopio. Finnish League Cup, 11 March 2008. Lusty looks KuPS HJK 03 08.jpg
KuPS vs HJK at Magnum Areena, Kuopio. Finnish League Cup, 11 March 2008.

In the 1990s, KuPS had financial problems and even dropped to the third tier for the first time. [3] 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. [4]

As of 2024, 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 February 2025, it was announced that KuPS had signed a co-operation deal with Ghana Premier League club Dreams FC. [5]

In April 2025, as a result of their league title success in 2024, KuPS added a star above their badge in recognition of the club as a whole achieving 10 league titles. 7 of these titles have been achieved by the men’s side, with 3 won by the women’s side. They are the second team in Finland to have adopted badge stars based on the success of both the men’s and women’s sides, with HJK updating their badge from 2 stars to 5 stars in 2020 with a league title win which meant the men’s side had achieved 3 stars, combining 3 stars from the men’s side and 2 from the women’s for a total of 5 stars. In Finland, a club can add a star to their badge for every 10 league titles. [6]

On 14 August 2025, KuPS secured the place in the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League league phase, their first-ever spot in the European competition league phase, after defeating Latvian RFS 3–1 on aggregate in the 3rd qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.

Season to season

[7] [8]

European campaigns

UEFA club competition record

As of 28 August 2025
CompetitionPldWDLGFGA
UEFA Champions League 11227729
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 402227
UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League 33106173066
UEFA Conference League 247984133
Total7219193480135

Competitions

SeasonCompetitionRoundCountryClubHomeAwayAgg.Y/N
1959–60 European Cup Preliminary Flag of Germany.svg Eintracht Frankfurt KuPS withdrew Symbol delete vote.svg
1967–68 European Cup 1R Flag of France.svg Saint-Étienne 0–20–30–5 Symbol delete vote.svg
1969–70 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1R Flag of Portugal (official).svg Académica de Coimbra 0–00–10–1 Symbol delete vote.svg
1975–76 European Cup 1R Flag of Poland.svg Ruch Chorzów 2–20–52–7 Symbol delete vote.svg
1976–77 UEFA Cup 1R Flag of Sweden.svg Östers 3–20–23–4 Symbol delete vote.svg
1977–78 European Cup 1R Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Club Brugge 2–50–42–9 Symbol delete vote.svg
1978–79 UEFA Cup 1R Flag of Denmark.svg Boldklubben 1903 2–14–46–5 Symbol keep vote.svg
2R Flag of Denmark.svg Esbjerg fB 0–21–41–6 Symbol delete vote.svg
1980–81 UEFA Cup 1R Flag of France.svg Saint-Étienne 0–70–70–14 Symbol delete vote.svg
1990–91 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1R Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Dynamo Kyiv 2–20–42–6 Symbol delete vote.svg
2011–12 UEFA Europa League 2QR Flag of Romania.svg Gaz Metan Mediaș 1–00–21–2 Symbol delete vote.svg
2012–13 UEFA Europa League 1QR Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Llanelli 2–11–13–2 Symbol keep vote.svg
2QR Flag of Israel.svg Maccabi Netanya 0–12–12–2 (a) Symbol keep vote.svg
3QR Flag of Turkey.svg Bursaspor 1–00–61–6 Symbol delete vote.svg
2018–19 UEFA Europa League 1QR Flag of Denmark.svg FC Copenhagen 0–11–11–2 Symbol delete vote.svg
2019–20 UEFA Europa League 1QR Flag of Belarus.svg Vitebsk 2–01–13–1 Symbol keep vote.svg
2QR Flag of Poland.svg Legia Warsaw 0–00–10–1 Symbol delete vote.svg
2020–21 UEFA Champions League 1QR Flag of Norway.svg Molde 0–5 Symbol delete vote.svg
UEFA Europa League 2QR Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovan Bratislava 1–1 (4–3 p) Symbol keep vote.svg
3QR Flag of Lithuania.svg Sūduva 2–0 Symbol keep vote.svg
PO Flag of Romania.svg CFR Cluj 1–3 Symbol delete vote.svg
2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League 1QR Flag of Armenia.svg Noah 5–00–15–1 Symbol keep vote.svg
2QR Flag of Ukraine.svg Vorskla Poltava 2–23–2 (a.e.t)5–4 Symbol keep vote.svg
3QR Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Astana 1–14–35–4 Symbol keep vote.svg
PO Flag of Germany.svg Union Berlin 0–40–00–4 Symbol delete vote.svg
2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League 1QR Flag of Georgia.svg Dila Gori 2–00–02–0 Symbol keep vote.svg
2QR Flag of Moldova.svg Milsami Orhei 2–24–16–3 Symbol keep vote.svg
3QR Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Young Boys 0–20–30–5 Symbol delete vote.svg
2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League 2QR Flag of Ireland.svg Derry City 3–31–24–5 Symbol delete vote.svg
2024–25 UEFA Conference League 1QR Flag of Luxembourg.svg UNA Strassen 5–00–05–0 Symbol keep vote.svg
2QR Flag of Norway.svg Tromsø 0–10–10–2 Symbol delete vote.svg
2025–26 UEFA Champions League 1QR Flag of Moldova.svg Milsami Orhei 1–00−01–0 Symbol keep vote.svg
2QR Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Kairat 2–00–32–3 Symbol delete vote.svg
UEFA Europa League 3QR Flag of Latvia.svg RFS 1–02–13–1 Symbol keep vote.svg
PO Flag of Denmark.svg Midtjylland 0–20–40–6 Symbol delete vote.svg
UEFA Conference League League Flag of Kosovo.svg Drita —
Flag of Iceland.svg Breiðablik —
Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovan Bratislava —
Flag of Poland.svg Jagiellonia Białystok —
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Lausanne-Sport —
Flag of England.svg Crystal Palace —

UEFA coefficient

As of 22 July 2025

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

RankTeamPoints
174 Flag of Cyprus.svg AEK Larnaca 7.500
175 Flag of Austria.svg Austria Wien 7.500
176 Flag of Finland.svg KuPS7.500
177 Flag of Scotland.svg Aberdeen 7.500
178 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Bohemians 7.500

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

RankPlayerToFeeYear
1. Flag of Finland.svg Matias Siltanen Flag of Sweden.svg Djurgården €1.2 million2025 [9]
2. Flag of Finland.svg Ilmari Niskanen Flag of Germany.svg FC Ingolsdtadt €370,0002020 [10]
3. Flag of Finland.svg Urho Nissilä Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Zulte Waregem €275,0002018 [11]
4. Flag of Finland.svg Tony Miettinen Flag of Norway.svg Odd €180,0002024 [10]
5. Flag of Ghana.svg Nana Boateng Flag of Romania.svg CFR Cluj €125,0002021 [12]

Current squad

As of 5 August 2025 [13]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of Austria.svg  AUT Johannes Kreidl
4 DF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Paulo Ricardo
6 MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Saku Savolainen
7 MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Jerry Voutilainen
8 MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Petteri Pennanen
9 FW Flag of Poland.svg  POL Piotr Parzyszek
10 MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Doni Arifi
11 FW Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Agon Sadiku (on loan from Emmen)
12 GK Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Aatu Hakala
13 MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Jaakko Oksanen
14 MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Samuel Pasanen
15 DF Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  CIV Ibrahim Cissé
16 DF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Samuli Miettinen
17 MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Arttu Heinonen
18 MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Eemil Tanninen
No.Pos.NationPlayer
20 FW Flag of Guinea.svg  GUI Mohamed Toure
21 FW Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Joslyn Luyeye-Lutumba
22 DF Flag of Guinea.svg  GUI Pa Konate
23 DF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Arttu Lötjönen
24 DF Flag of Ghana.svg  GHA Bob Nii Armah
25 DF Flag of Ghana.svg  GHA Clinton Antwi
26 MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Roope Salo
28 MF Flag of Ghana.svg  GHA Sadat Seidu
29 DF Flag of Ghana.svg  GHA Derrick Atta Agyei
31 DF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Tatu Hukkanen
32 DF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Rasmus Tikkanen
33 DF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Taneli Hämäläinen (on loan from ADO Den Haag)
34 MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Otto Ruoppi
35 MF Flag of Lithuania.svg  LTU Paulius Golubickas (on loan from Radomiak Radom)
37 GK Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Miilo Pitkänen

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
— DF Flag of Ghana.svg  GHA Eric Danso Boateng (at SalPa until 31 December 2025)
— MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Lauri Sahimaa (at Jippo until 31 December 2025)

Management

As of 22 July 2025 [13]

NameRole
Flag of Finland.svg Jarkko Wiss Head coach
Flag of Finland.svg Sixten Boström Coach
Flag of Finland.svg Mika Lähderinne Coach
Flag of Finland.svg Joonas Pöntinen Goalkeeping coach
Flag of Finland.svg Viki SavonenAnalyst
Flag of Finland.svg Joonas OjantiePhysiotherapist

Boardroom

As of 22 October 2024

NameRole
Flag of Finland.svg Tomi ErolaCEO
Flag of Finland.svg Ari Lahti President
Flag of Finland.svg Sixten Boström Sporting director

Honours

Supporters of KuPS KuPS Finnish Cup Train 2005.jpg
Supporters of KuPS

Managers

References

  1. ↑ "Finnish League Premier Division All-Time Tables 1930–2007". rsssf.org Archived 28 January 2023 at the Wayback Machine . (12 March 2008)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Karjalainen, Markus; Huttunen, Jouni (2005). Kuopion Palloseura 1923–2004. Kuopion Palloseura.
  3. 1 2 "Historia & Saavutukset". KuPS – Kuopion Palloseura (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  4. ↑ "Tilastot ja taulukot". KuPS – Kuopion Palloseura (in Finnish). Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  5. ↑ KuPS ja ghanalainen Dreams FC yhteistyöhön, 8 February 2025
  6. ↑ KuPS LISÄÄ TÄHDEN LOGOON – 10 MESTARUUTTA KRUUNAA PITKÄN HISTORIAN, kups.fi, 3 April 2025
  7. ↑ "Finland – List of League First Level Tables". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 17 July 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  8. ↑ "Finland – List of League Second Level Tables". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  9. ↑ Jättisiirto! Matias Siltanen Ruotsin suurseuraan, Ilta-Sanomat, 22 January 2025
  10. 1 2 Tony Miettisestä muhkea korvaus – Se kuitenkin kalpenee KuPSin ennätyssiirroille, Savon Sanomat, 7 February 2024
  11. ↑ SS: KuPS myy timanttinsa seurahistoriansa suurimmalla siirtokovauksella, suomifutis.com, 15 June 2018
  12. ↑ Tähtipelaajan lähtö yllätti KuPSin täydellisesti – mestaruushaaveille raskas isku, Ilta-Sanomat, 3 September 2021
  13. 1 2 KuPS. "KuPS miehet edustusjoukkue 2025". kups.fi. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
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