The SM League is preparing for a significant change in its structure for the 2026-27 season, marking it as a 'super season' where the league will expand to include either 17 or 18 teams. As part of this transition, the league will implement a new competitive format that will see the number of teams reduce in the following years, with 3-4 teams expected to be relegated to the B-League at the end of the super season.

One of the most notable changes for the upcoming season is the return of the Helsingin Jokerit, which will join the top tier of Finnish ice hockey once again. In addition to Jokerit, there is potential for another team to move up from the Mestis league, increasing the competitive landscape of the SM League. The league structure will accommodate different match counts based on the total number of teams: if there are 17 teams, each team will play 64 regular-season games, while 68 games will be held if there are 18.

Furthermore, the league has agreed on reducing back-to-back game days to help manage the players’ workload and enhance the quality of the matches. This overhaul is in collaboration with the Finnish Ice Hockey Players' Association, marking a new chapter in Finnish ice hockey that may impact player performance, fan engagement, and the overall dynamics of the league in the seasons to come.