sport

Helsinki's Sports Facilities Expansion Boosts Community Club Access

Developments at several major venues are positioned to expand access for local clubs, schools and everyday participants.

By Helsinki Sport Desk · Published 25 July 2026

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Helsinki's Sports Facilities Expansion Boosts Community Club Access — Photo by Rob Hurson / flickr (by-sa)

Construction of the 21,000 m² Jätkäsaari Swimming and Sports Centre is expected to begin in summer 2026, with facilities ready for use in late 2029 at an estimated cost exceeding €113 million. This timeline aligns with ongoing work at other sites that together form the backbone of Helsinki's community sport infrastructure.

Facility timelines support daily participation

The Helsinki Halli arena reopened to the media in mid-2026 after being closed since February 2022 due to Russian sanctions, following its sale to Finnish real estate company Trevian Kasvu in February 2025. Meanwhile, modernisation plans for the 75-year-old Töölö Sports Hall were approved in October 2025, with construction scheduled from June 2028 to 2031 to significantly reduce energy consumption. These staggered schedules allow existing clubs and school programs to maintain routines while new capacity comes online.

Local clubs and schools already active

Mäkelänrinne Upper Secondary School, known locally as Märsky, is one of 15 Finnish sports upper secondary schools where roughly 700 of 1,000 students in 2024 were enrolled in sports-specialized programs covering athletics, basketball, ice hockey and swimming. Helsingin Kisa-Veikot, founded in 1909 and Finland's largest athletics club, bases training at Eläintarha Sports Field and Plotinrinne. ISH Helsinki runs an after-school athletics program for grades 9-12 that fits around academic schedules.

Evidence from current operations and planning

Europe's largest outdoor artificial ice field, the Oulunkylä ice field, reopened after major energy system renovations and now offers free daily public skating sessions with separate zones for skaters and stick users. Plans for the Oulunkylä Sports Park are accelerating, including a new 8,000-seat stadium and analyses for a future ice rink, with planning refined and public consultations ongoing in 2026. These elements show how larger projects build on established local use patterns.

Next steps for participants

Residents can follow updates on the Jätkäsaari project through the City of Helsinki planning channels and check availability at the reopened Oulunkylä ice field for immediate sessions. School programs at Mäkelänrinne Upper Secondary School and club sessions with Helsingin Kisa-Veikot continue to operate alongside the broader renewal schedule.