League System in Swedish Football
In Sweden, football is governed by the Svenska Fotbollförbundet (SvFF), the Swedish Football Association, and structured in a pyramid system with multiple divisions. Football plays a major role in Swedish sports culture, but that will be the subject of another article. Here, we will focus on the league system in Sweden, detailing each level and its structure.
The Professional Divisions:
Allsvenskan and Superettan
At the top of the Swedish football pyramid is Allsvenskan, the country’s premier division. This league consists of 16 teams and follows a classic home-and-away format. The team finishing at the top of the table is crowned Swedish champion and qualifies for the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, while the second and third-placed teams earn a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.
Below Allsvenskan is Superettan, Sweden’s second division, which also consists of 16 teams. The champion and runner-up are promoted to Allsvenskan, while the third-placed team enters a promotion playoff against the 14th-placed team from Allsvenskan. At the bottom of the table, the two lowest-ranked teams are relegated to Ettan, while the 13th and 14th teams must play a relegation playoff against clubs from the lower division.
Ettan: The Bridge Between Professional and Semi-Professional Football
The third tier of Swedish football, known as Ettan, serves as a transition between professional and semi-professional football. It is divided into two regional groups of 16 teams each:
Ettan Norra (North)
Ettan Södra (South)
Although these groups are divided geographically, the majority of Swedish clubs are located in the southern part of the country, sometimes leading to adjustments in team placements. Ettan is managed semi-independently but remains under the supervision of the Swedish Football Association.
The champion of each group is promoted to Superettan, while the second-placed teams face each other in a playoff, with the winner playing against the 13th and 14th teams from Superettan for a potential promotion spot.
The National Lower:
Division 2 and Division 3
Despite their names, Division 2 and Division 3 do not correspond to the 2nd and 3rd tiers, but rather to the 4th and 5th levels of Swedish football. These leagues are still nationally managed but are divided into regional groups:
Division 2: 6 groups of 14 teams
Division 3: 12 groups of 10 to 14 teams
The winners of each Division 2 group are promoted to Ettan, while relegated teams move down to Division 3 based on their geographical location.
The Regional Leagues:
From the 6th to the 10th Tier
Starting from Division 4, the league structure changes, as it is now governed by 24 regional districts rather than the national federation. This setup allows for greater flexibility and adapts to the distribution of clubs across the country.
The lower divisions include:
Division 4 (6th tier)
Division 5 (7th tier)
Division 6 (8th tier)
Division 7 (9th tier)
Division 8 (10th tier, present only in some regions)
The number of groups and teams varies by district, as they are managed based on the number of active clubs in each region.
A System That Encourages Progression
Sweden’s pyramidal league system allows clubs to gradually climb the ranks through a structured promotion and relegation system. This model also supports the development of local talent, providing young players with opportunities to compete at different levels, from amateur football to the professional stage.
Although complex, this system ensures competitiveness while maintaining strong connections between clubs and their local communities. It is a key factor in the success and sustainability of Swedish football.
Sweden has been a pioneer in women’s football, with a national league structure in place since 1973. The pyramid system is well-developed, following a structure similar to that of men’s football.
Damallsvenskan: The Top Tier
At the top of the pyramid is the Damallsvenskan, the first tier of Swedish women’s football. This league consists of 14 teams and is experiencing rapid growth, with increasing professionalization and investment.
Elitettan: The Second Division
Below Damallsvenskan is the Elitettan, which serves as the second tier. This league is also undergoing professionalization, and in recent years, several prestigious clubs, initially recognized for their men’s teams, have expanded to include women’s sections.
Lower Divisions: Division 1 to Division 6
Similar to men’s football, the lower tiers are structured from Division 1 to Division 6, covering the third to eighth levels of Swedish women’s football. These leagues provide a competitive pathway for clubs and players to progress through the ranks.
As Swedish football continues to progress and professionalize, opportunities for clubs to qualify for European competitions are becoming increasingly frequent—especially in women’s football. With the growth of Damallsvenskan and Elitettan, Swedish teams are gaining more recognition on the international stage, allowing them to compete at a higher level in tournaments like the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
This upward trend not only strengthens the domestic league but also enhances Sweden’s position in European football, giving clubs more chances to showcase their talent and develop into competitive forces on the continent.
