How Do the Series Work?

There are 5 levels of hockey in Sweden and teams are able to move up and down levels from year to year. Take a team in Division 1 for example. If they finish at the top of the series they go to a playoff series against the top Div.1 teams and bottom Allsvenskan teams for a chance to advance up to Allsvenskan. However, if you finish at the bottom of your series, you will have to play a playoff series to maintain your place in Division 1 next season. The exact number of teams that advance to the qualification playoff can vary from year to year but that is the general idea.