SaiPa Lappeenranta were established in 1948 in the village of Lauritsala and are based in Lappeenranta, southeastern Finland. The club have built a strong identity as a passionate and resilient underdog in Finnish hockey. The club competes in the Liiga, Finland’s top professional league, and plays its home games at Kisapuisto Ice Stadium, which holds about 4,800 spectators. Despite its modest size, the arena attracts over 120,000 fans annually, with supporters known across Finland for their loyalty and enthusiasm.

The team have a reputation for battling against the odds, often operating with tough situations. Over the years, SaiPa won bronze in 1965/66, had two strong Champions Hockey League campaigns, reaching the Quarter-Finals in 2014/15 and the Round of 16 in 2016/17, but made history by making the Liiga finals for the first time in 2025/26, ultimately finishing second.

The club have also produced several players who made it to the NHL, such as Jussi Markkanen, Petteri Nokelainen, Antti Aalto, and Niklas Bäckström. These alumni are a point of pride for the club and highlight its role in developing top-level talent.

Despite limited resources, SaiPa has carved out a unique place in Finnish ice hockey, known for its gritty performances, devoted fan culture, and deep regional pride.