Superseason and Volleyball at Nokia Arena Keep Ilves and Tappara on Road for Weeks

Ilves and Tappara will be without home games for several weeks as the men's Liiga superseason starts Tuesday.

In interviews with Tamperelainen, Ilves CEO Risto Jalo and Tappara CEO Ari Penttilä said the altered 17-team format, featuring the long-awaited return of Jokerit and three relegation spots, turns every match into higher-stakes business. Jalo called the season exceptional and "a luxury situation for sports romantics." Penttilä described it as a historical transition that makes both the top and bottom of the table compelling. High stakes, both agreed.

Both executives welcomed structural changes they expect will strengthen the league: a reduced long-term team count, a regular season of roughly 54 to 56 games, and, from 2026–27, clubs keeping their own playoff gate receipts while Liiga charges an organizing fee. Tampere's teams begin the campaign on the road, with Ilves at Lukko and Tappara at SaiPa, and will not play at Nokia Arena until late September because the arena hosts men's European volleyball pool matches. That aligns with Ilves' summer announcement scheduling the club's Nokia Arena home opener for 25 September.