[1] In the 1920s, the newly formed Estonian Football Championship was dominated by Tallinn sides Kalev, Sport and TJK.

The team included Estonian internationals such as Eduard Ellmann, Ernst Joll, Elmar Kaljot, August Lass and Arnold Pihlak, who went on to represent Estonia at the 1924 Summer Olympics.

Although never proven officially, the victory was widely accepted as a result of match fixing.

Tallinna Kalev was re-established on 1 September 2002 and joined the Estonian football league system.

In 2004, Aavo Sarap was appointed as manager and Tallinna Kalev won the East/North division of the II liiga.

The club finished the 2006 Esiliiga in third place and were promoted to the Meistriliiga, returning to the top flight of Estonian football.

Following a disappointing 2014 season, where Tallinna Kalev finished in 10th place and were relegated to the Esiliiga once again, Zamogilnõi was replaced by Marko Pärnpuu.

Led by Daniel Meijel and Aivar Anniste, the club finished the 2022 season in eighth place.

[5] The summer transfer window saw club's president Ragnar Klavan join the first team as a player.

Kalev made their debut in Europe on 11 July 2024, losing 1–2 to Urartu in the home leg of the Conference League first qualifying round.

The club finished the 2024 season in ninth place, but avoided relegation by defeating Viimsi 2–1 on aggregate in the play-offs.

[9]Kalev traditionally played in black shirts and white shorts during the first period of independence of Estonia.

Kalev first started playing its home matches at the Tiigiveski Ground, before the club opened Kalevi Aed in the Tallinn city centre in 1923.

Le Coq Arena in 2018.From the 2020 season the team moved to Kadriorg Stadium, as Kalevi Keskstaadion underwent renovation due to its poor condition.

[13] Tallinna Kalev uses the 1,198-seat artificial turf ground Sportland Arena for home matches during winter and early spring months.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.