2026 Esiliiga
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stadiums and locations
The league consisted of ten teams; seven teams remaining from the previous season, two teams promoted from the Esiliiga B, and one team relegated from the Meistriliiga.
The promoted teams were the 2025 Esiliiga B champions Maardu Linnameeskond and runners-up Nõmme United U21. They replaced the 2025 Esiliiga bottom two teams Tallinna Kalev U21 and Tammeka U21.
The relegated team was the 2025 Meistriliiga bottom-placed team Tallinna Kalev. They replaced the 2025 Esiliiga champions Nõmme United.
Tallinn
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elva | Otepää | Tehvandi Stadium | 3,144[1] |
| FCI Levadia U21 | Tallinn | Maarjamäe Stadium | 30[2] |
| Flora U21 | Lilleküla Training Ground I | 150[3] | |
| Maardu Linnameeskond | Maardu | Maardu Linnastaadion | 500[4] |
| Nõmme Kalju U21 | Tallinn | Hiiu Stadium | 570[5] |
| Nõmme United U21 | Männiku Stadium | 500[6] | |
| Tallinn | Lasnamäe Sports Complex Stadium | 200[7] | |
| Tallinna Kalev | Sportland Arena | 1,172[8] | |
| Viimsi | Haabneeme | Viimsi Stadium | 1,006[9] |
| Welco | Tartu | Holm Park | 580[10] |
Personnel and kits
| Team | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elva |  Kaido Koppel |
Jasper Reilson |
Nike | Unibet, Sportland |
| FCI Levadia U21 | Dmitri Kruglov |
Romeo Aan |
Macron[11] | Viimsi Keevitus |
| Flora U21 | Ats Sillaste |
Joosep Palts |
Nike | Zondacrypto[12] |
| Maardu Linnameeskond | Deniss Kovtun |
Aleksandr Kulinitš |
Givova | None |
| Nõmme Kalju U21 | Erik Šteinberg |
Igor Subbotin |
Adidas | None |
| Nõmme United U21 | Eero Maling |
Mark Villem Marmei |
Adidas | TonyBet |
| Tallinn | Andrei Kalimullin |
Vladislav Tšurilkin |
Adidas | None |
| Tallinna Kalev | Randin Rande |
Vadim Mihhailov |
Macron | None |
| Viimsi | Andres Oper Arli Salm |
Karl Erich Kaljuvere |
Joma | Assa Abloy, Penosil |
| Welco | Alo Bärengrub |
Taijo Teniste |
Adidas | Holm Bank |
Managerial changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in the table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welco | Jaanus Reitel |
Mutual consent | 9 November 2025[13] | Pre-season | Alo Bärengrub |
22 December 2025[14] |
| FCI Levadia U21 |  Santi García |
End of contract | 4 December 2025[15] | Dmitri Kruglov |
11 December 2025[16] | |
| Viimsi | Ivo Lehtmets |
Resigned | 5 December 2025[17] | Andres Oper Arli Salm |
8 December 2025[18] | |
| Flora U21 | Taavi Viik |
Signed by Vaprus | 19 December 2025[19] | Ats Sillaste |
2 January 2026[20] | |
| Tallinna Kalev | Alo Bärengrub |
Signed by Welco | 22 December 2025[14] |  Ivan Stojković |
22 December 2025[21] | |
| Nõmme United U21 | Risto Sarapik |
Resigned | 14 January 2026[22] | Eero Maling |
16 January 2026[23] | |
| Tallinna Kalev | Ivan Stojković |
26 April 2026[24] | 6th | Randin Rande |
26 April 2026 |