Ilves Tampere (referred to as "Ilves" in English), is a well-known football club in Tampere, Finland. Located in Tampere, it was founded on April 10, 1931. The club's football development has experienced ups and downs, with periods of suspension and restart. It has faced challenges such as brief participation in the league in its early years, development and setbacks during World War II, struggling in lower leagues in the early 1970s, and multiple instances of abandoning the football program. In 1978, after two other top-tier teams in Tampere faced difficulties, Ilves merged resources and returned to the top league.
Ilves first participated in the top league in 1979, won the Finnish football championship in 1983, finished third in 1984, reached the league final in 1985, and won the Finnish Cup multiple times, also participating in the European Champions Cup in 1986. However, after 1988, the club's performance declined as key players left. In the 1990s, the club faced numerous problems, including coaching changes, player transfers, and financial difficulties, leading to a gradual decline in performance. Ultimately, in 1996, the club lost its top league qualification due to league restructuring, and in 1997, the top team was dissolved, leading to a low point in the development of the football program.
In 2007, the club's football project returned to the second division under the guise of a loan, officially participating in 2008, with the goal of gradually being promoted. In 2012, they were promoted to the second division, and in 2014, they returned to the Veikkausliiga due to issues with other teams.