Kalev's football team was formed as Jalgpalliselts Meteor (Football Union Meteor) in 1909 and changed to its present name in 1911, when it joined the all-Estonian sports organisation Estonian Sports Association Kalev.
During its first years, Kalev Tallinn also was a successful club in the sport of bandy.
The club became Estonian champions of this sport in 1916, 1917 and 1918.
[2] Kalev used to play in the ice hockey Meistriliiga, winning the title seven times in 1934, 1937, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1962.
There is a non-associated rugby team under the name Tallinna Kalev RFC.