IF Gnistan to take over PK-35’s place in the Finnish women’s national league
The Briotech Finnish women’s national league (Kansallinen Liiga), the top division of women’s football in Finland, welcomes IF Gnistan’s women’s first team as they take over PK-35’s place following approval from the Finnish FA. This move elevates the Oulunkylä-based club to the top flight and ensures the region remains represented at the highest level of the women’s game in Finland.
Talks about the transfer began earlier this year when PK-35 informed Gnistan that its women’s team would be unable to continue in the women’s national league (Kansallinen Liiga) for the 2026 season. The decision at PK-35 stems from its commitment to the development of women’s football in Finland, the absence of a required player pathway within the club, and the desire to ensure that children’s and youth football remain viable at the club on a cost-effective basis.
Because the two clubs have long cooperated—among other things in coaching development and match events—the shared objective was to find a solution safeguarding continuity for players in the region.
“We were ready to help our neighbour and to protect women’s football’s strong position in the region. Without a successor, PK-35’s loss of a league place would have been a major setback for the whole local environment,” says IF Gnistan’s CEO, Ilkka Vanala.
Gnistan earned promotion to the Finnish women’s first division (Kansallinen Ykkönen) at the end of the 2025 season, and had already budgeted for increased resources and strengthened organisation in anticipation of playing in the Finnish women’s national league (Kansallinen Liiga) in 2026. The Football Association’s decision to transfer the league place to Gnistan naturally supports the club’s ambition to reach the national top level and further strengthens regional player development and community cohesion.
“At PK-35, girls’ football at the youth level is not dependent on having a women’s first team. We will continue to invest strongly in junior development, and the girls will continue playing regardless of whether we have a senior team in the top division. Thanks to our cooperation, Gnistan can also offer a pathway for PK-35 players in the future, right here nearby in Oulunkylä”, says PK-35 Executive Director Antti Laitinen.
The clubs will continue their cooperation during the transition in line with the Football Association’s guidance. Further information on squad building, coaching decisions, and other arrangements will be announced later.
