The traditional Estonian End-of-Year Tournament (Aastalõputurniir) returns to Kalev Sports Hall, taking place from 16 to 30 December to, once again, bring together thousands of players for one of the most wide-ranging events in the Estonian domestic football calendar.
Over nearly two weeks, a total of 24 tournaments will be played, featuring an unusually broad spectrum of participants. Boys’ and girls’ youth teams, amateur and recreational sides, fan teams, seniors, company teams and players from the upper leagues will all take to the indoor courts, underlining the tournament’s role as a meeting point for Estonian football at every level.
Several additions and adjustments shape this year’s programme. For the first time, an U11 tournament has been introduced, lowering the youngest age group from U12. The U19 Elite League tournament returns after a pause, while the women’s competition will be staged as a joint event, bringing together teams from the Women’s Meistriliiga, Esiliiga and Second League. Also on the schedule is the Premium liiga Legends tournament, contested by squads made up of former top-flight players born in 1995 or earlier.
Changes have also been made to playing formats. In the U11–U13 age groups, teams will continue to play six-a-side (5+1), but in the older youth categories (U14–U19), as well as the girls’ U15 and U17 tournaments, matches will now be played five-a-side (4+1). Adult competitions will retain the existing 5+1 format. Full tournament regulations are available on the Estonian Football Association’s website.
The tournament gets underway with the girls’ U15 teams taking to the pitch. Later that day, Rahvaliiga B-level teams will begin their campaigns. The opening week will also feature youth tournaments, Rimi Rahvaliiga A-level matches, women’s Rahvaliiga games, Fourth League fixtures, as well as competitions for fans and seniors. On Sunday, 21 December, the U11 boys’ age group will make its debut at the event.
As in previous years, there will be a short pause in the schedule from 23 to 25 December. The second half of the tournament will see women’s teams, Premium liiga legends and Esiliiga clubs join the competition alongside youth and lower-league sides. One change to the original timetable has already been confirmed, with the U19 Elite League tournament cancelled due to low participation.
Tournament passes, which provide access to all matches from 16 to 30 December, are available via the Estonian Football Association’s website. Day tickets and tournament passes can also be purchased on site at Kalev Sports Hall, while entry is free for spectators born in 2019 or later. Matches can be followed live via jalgpall.ee and the EJLTV YouTube channel, where results, team lists and line-ups will be published throughout the event.
