The SM-Liiga (Suomenmestarus-liiga, Finnish Championship league) is the top level of ice hockey in Finland. A fully professional league, the SM-Liiga was created in 1975 to replace the Sm-sarja. It counts 14 teams and is a closed league, meaning no team can promote or be relegated; however, the league's board agreed to let in any winner of the Mestis that would fit their requirements. Therefore, in 2005, the league was truthful to its word by welcoming back KalPa Kuopio, that had been relegated in 1999.