Kuopion Palloseura

KuPS
Full nameKuopion Palloseura
NicknameKeltamusta (The Yellow-Black)
Founded1923 (1923)
GroundVäre Areena
Kuopio
Capacity5,000 (2,700 seated)
ChairmanVesa Kauppila
ManagerMiika Nuutinen
LeagueVeikkausliiga
2025Veikkausliiga, 1st of 12 (champions)
Websitewww.kups.fi

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.

KuPS has won eight 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 honour table.[1]

History

The club was officially founded on 16 March 1923, at Kuopion Seurahuone. The club was named Kuopion Palloseura ("Kuopio Ball 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]

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]

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 the 2025 league season the club won its eight championship in the Finnish league and became runner-ups in the Finnish Cup. KuPS also reached the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League league phase, their first-ever spot in the European competition league phase. One win and four draws secured the club a place in the knockout phase play-offs. The club became the first Finnish club to advance from the league phase to play-off rounds.

Season to season

[5][6]

European campaigns

UEFA club competition record

As of 31 December 2025
Competition Pld W D L GF GA
UEFA Champions League 11 2 2 7 7 29
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 4 0 2 2 2 7
UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League 33 10 6 17 30 66
UEFA Conference League 30 8 13 9 47 38
Total 78 20 23 35 86 140

Competitions

Season Competition Round Country Club Home Away Agg. Y/N
1959–60 European Cup PR Eintracht Frankfurt KuPS withdrew
1967–68 European Cup 1R Saint-Étienne 0–2 0–3 0–5
1969–70 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1R Académica de Coimbra 0–0 0–1 0–1
1975–76 European Cup 1R Ruch Chorzów 2–2 0–5 2–7
1976–77 UEFA Cup 1R Östers 3–2 0–2 3–4
1977–78 European Cup 1R Club Brugge 2–5 0–4 2–9
1978–79 UEFA Cup 1R Boldklubben 1903 2–1 4–4 6–5
2R Esbjerg fB 0–2 1–4 1–6
1980–81 UEFA Cup 1R Saint-Étienne 0–7 0–7 0–14
1990–91 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1R Dynamo Kyiv 2–2 0–4 2–6
2011–12 UEFA Europa League 2QR Gaz Metan Mediaș 1–0 0–2 1–2
2012–13 UEFA Europa League 1QR Llanelli 2–1 1–1 3–2
2QR Maccabi Netanya 0–1 2–1 2–2 (a)
3QR Bursaspor 1–0 0–6 1–6
2018–19 UEFA Europa League 1QR FC Copenhagen 0–1 1–1 1–2
2019–20 UEFA Europa League 1QR Vitebsk 2–0 1–1 3–1
2QR Legia Warsaw 0–0 0–1 0–1
2020–21 UEFA Champions League 1QR Molde 0–5
UEFA Europa League 2QR Slovan Bratislava 1–1 (4–3 p)
3QR Sūduva 2–0
PO CFR Cluj 1–3
2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League 1QR Noah 5–0 0–1 5–1
2QR Vorskla Poltava 2–2 3–2 (a.e.t) 5–4
3QR Astana 1–1 4–3 5–4
PO Union Berlin 0–4 0–0 0–4
2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League 1QR Dila Gori 2–0 0–0 2–0
2QR Milsami Orhei 2–2 4–1 6–3
3QR Young Boys 0–2 0–3 0–5
2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League 2QR Derry City 3–3 1–2 4–5
2024–25 UEFA Conference League 1QR UNA Strassen 5–0 0–0 5–0
2QR Tromsø 0–1 0–1 0–2
2025–26 UEFA Champions League 1QR Milsami Orhei 1–0 0−0 1–0
2QR Kairat 2–0 0–3 2–3
UEFA Europa League 3QR RFS 1–0 2–1 3–1
PO Midtjylland 0–2 0–4 0–6
UEFA Conference League League Drita 1–1 N/a 21st
Breiðablik N/a 0–0
Slovan Bratislava 3–1 N/a
Jagiellonia Białystok N/a 0–1
Lausanne-Sport 0–0 N/a
Crystal Palace N/a 2–2
KPPO Lech Poznań 0–2 0–1 0–3
2026–27 UEFA Champions League 1QR

UEFA coefficient

As of 19 December 2025
Further information: UEFA coefficient

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

Rank Team Points
108 Strasbourg 15.000
109 APOEL 14.750
110 KuPS 14.000
111 HJK 14.000
112 Hapoel Be'er Sheva 14.000

Transfers

In the last few decades, KuPS have produced numerous local players for Veikkausliiga and a few who have transferred abroad. Five among their seven biggest incoming transfer fees came from local mostly homegrown players. The club’s previous incoming transfer fee record was for then 17-year old Matias Siltanen, who departed for Djurgården following a great debut season for KuPS in 2024. It was surpassed one year later by the transfer of Otto Ruoppi to Mainz 05 for €1.3 million, and further surpassed by Mohamed Toure's transfer to FC Viktoria Plzeň for €1.5 million in February 2026.

Record transfers

Rank Player To Fee Year
1. Mohamed Toure Viktoria Plzeň €1.5 million 2026[7]
2. Otto Ruoppi Mainz 05 €1.3 million 2026[8]
3. Matias Siltanen Djurgården €1.2 million 2025[9]
4. Ilmari Niskanen FC Ingolsdtadt €370,000 2020[10]
5. Urho Nissilä Zulte Waregem €275,000 2018[11]
6. Tony Miettinen Odd €180,000 2024[10]
7. Nana Boateng CFR Cluj €125,000 2021[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. Nation Player
1 GK  AUT Johannes Kreidl
4 DF  BRA Paulo Ricardo
6 MF  FIN Saku Savolainen
7 MF  FIN Jerry Voutilainen
8 MF  FIN Petteri Pennanen
9 FW  POL Piotr Parzyszek
10 MF  FIN Doni Arifi
11 FW  FIN Agon Sadiku (on loan from Emmen)
12 GK  FIN Aatu Hakala
13 MF  FIN Jaakko Oksanen
14 MF  FIN Samuel Pasanen
15 DF  CIV Ibrahim Cissé
16 DF  FIN Samuli Miettinen
17 MF  FIN Arttu Heinonen
18 MF  FIN Eemil Tanninen
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 FW  GUI Mohamed Toure
21 FW  FIN Joslyn Luyeye-Lutumba
22 DF  GUI Pa Konate
23 DF  FIN Arttu Lötjönen
24 DF  GHA Bob Nii Armah
25 DF  GHA Clinton Antwi
26 MF  FIN Roope Salo
28 MF  GHA Sadat Seidu
29 DF  GHA Derrick Atta Agyei
31 DF  FIN Tatu Hukkanen
32 DF  FIN Rasmus Tikkanen
33 DF  FIN Taneli Hämäläinen (on loan from ADO Den Haag)
34 MF  FIN Otto Ruoppi
37 GK  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. Nation Player

Management

As of 1 January 2026[14]

Name Role
Miika Nuutinen Head coach
Jonas Nyholm Assistant coach
Mika Lähderinne Conditioning coach
Joonas Pöntinen Goalkeeping coach
Analyst
Joonas Ojantie Physiotherapist
Sami Miettinen Team manager

Boardroom

As of 1 January 2026[15]

Name Role
Tomi Erola CEO
Vesa Kauppila Chairman
Sixten Boström Sporting director

Honours

Managers

  • Aaro Heikkinen (1945–57)
  • Imre Nagy (1947)
  • Martti Kosma (1958)
  • Reino Miettinen (1959)
  • Veijo Pehkonen (1960)
  • Asser Väisänen (1960)
  • Aaro Heikkinen (1961–65)
  • Gunnar Boman (1966–68)
  • Veikko Jokinen (1969–71)
  • Unto Nevalainen (1969–71)
  • Martti Räsänen (1972–79)
  • Matti Terästö (initial term) (1980)
  • Jarmo Flink (final season) (1980)
  • Ari Savolainen (1981)
  • Matti Väänänen (1982)
  • Bogusław Hajdas (1983–85)
  • Jouko Pasanen (1986)
  • Jouko Pasanen (1987)
  • Aarre Miettinen (July 1987)
  • Heikki Turunen (1988)
  • Aarre Miettinen (1988)
  • Heikki Turunen (1989)
  • Markku Hyvärinen (May 1989)
  • Olavi Rissanen (May 1989)
  • Martti Räsänen (1990–91)
  • Olavi Rissanen (1990–91)
  • Martti Räsänen (1992)
  • Jouni Jäntti (Sept 1992)
  • Markku Hyvärinen (Sept 1992)
  • Keijo Voutilainen (1993–1994)
  • Hannu Turunen (1995–96)
  • Atik Ismail (1995–96)
  • Jouni Jäntti (1997–98)
  • Ensio Pellikka (1998)
  • Heikki Turunen (1999)
  • Esa Pekonen (2000–2001)
  • Jari Pyykölä (1 January 2002 – 6 June 2003)
  • Ismo Lius (June 2003)
  • Juha Malinen (2005–2006)
  • Kai Nyyssönen (1 January 2007 – 13 June 2009)
  • Esa Pekonen (14 June 2009 – 24 April 2014)
  • Marko Rajamäki (2 May 2014 – 2016)
  • Jani Honkavaara (2017–2019)
  • Arne Erlandsen (2020)
  • Simo Valakari (2021– 19 January 2023)
  • Pasi Tuutti (19 January 2023 – 20 April 2023)
  • Jani Honkavaara (21 April 2023– 31 December 2024)
  • Jarkko Wiss (1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025)
  • Miika Nuutinen (1 January 2026 – present)

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. ^ a b c d e Karjalainen, Markus; Huttunen, Jouni (2005). Kuopion Palloseura 1923–2004. Kuopion Palloseura.
  3. ^ a b "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. ^ "Finland – List of League First Level Tables". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 17 July 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  6. ^ "Finland – List of League Second Level Tables". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  7. ^ Jättisiirto: Suomen mestari myy tähtihyökkääjänsä hurjalla siirtosummalla, MTV Oy, 12 February 2026
  8. ^ Jymypaukku! Bundesliigaseura ostaa Otto Ruopin ennätyssummalla, Ilta-Sanomat, 31 January 2026
  9. ^ Jättisiirto! Matias Siltanen Ruotsin suurseuraan, Ilta-Sanomat, 22 January 2025
  10. ^ a b 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. ^ KuPS. "KuPS miehet edustusjoukkue 2025". kups.fi. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Kuopion Palloseuran valmennustiimi 2026". KuPS.fi. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  15. ^ "Kuopion Palloseura Oy - Hallinto". KuPS.fi. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
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