The season started on 20 April 2013 and is scheduled to end on 5 October 2013.
Teams
A total of 40 teams will contest the league divided into four groups, Eteläinen (Southern), Pohjoinen (Northern), Läntinen (Western) and Itäinen (Eastern). 30 returning from the 2012 season, two relegated from Ykkönen and eight promoted from Kolmonen. The champion of each group will qualify to promotion matches to decide which two teams get promoted to the Ykkönen. The bottom two teams in each group and the worst eight-placed will qualify directly for relegation to Kolmonen. Each team will play a total of 27 matches, playing three times against each team of its group.
Location of the 2013 Kakkonen teams. Eteläinen (Southern) are red dots, Pohjoinen (Northern) are green dots, Läntinen (Western) are blue dots while Itäinen (Eastern) are pink dots.
Source: palloverkko.palloliitto.fi Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (A) Advance to a further round; (R) Relegated
Source: palloverkko.palloliitto.fi Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (A) Advance to a further round; (R) Relegated Notes:
^ abThe match VIFK – ORPa on August 25 originally finished 1–0, but the result was changed to 0–3, as VIFK fielded an ineligible player.[4]
Source: palloverkko.palloliitto.fi Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (A) Advance to a further round; (R) Relegated
Source: palloverkko.palloliitto.fi Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (A) Advance to a further round; (R) Relegated
Promotion play-offs
Group winners will play two-legged ties. Team pairs will be drawn and the two winning teams will be promoted to the Ykkönen for season 2014.[5][6]