Helsinki Upgrades Sports Facilities, Strengthens Community Programs

A new 21,000 m² swimming and sports centre planned for Jätkäsaari will begin construction in summer 2026 at an estimated cost over €113 million, with opening expected in late 2029.

School programs anchor daily participation

Mäkelänrinne Upper Secondary School runs sports-specialized tracks for roughly 700 of its 1,000 students as of 2024, covering 25 disciplines that include swimming and ice hockey. Students follow a combined academic and training timetable from 8:20am to 3:05pm. These programs draw on existing city facilities and stand to gain from new capacity once the Jätkäsaari centre opens.

Club network extends reach beyond school hours

Helsingin Kisa-Veikot, founded in 1909 and based at Eläintarha Sports Field and Plotinrinne, operates as Finland’s largest athletics club. ISH Helsinki runs an after-school athletics program for grades 9-12 that offers up to four activities per season and enters teams in CEESA and Nordic events. The Finnish Athletics Federation stages annual Youth Athletics Games for around 2,000 participants up to age 17 and school-based days that reach roughly 10,000 students nationwide.

Upgrades target energy use and continuity

Modernisation of the 75-year-old Töölö Sports Hall received approval in October 2025, with work scheduled from June 2028 to 2031 to cut energy consumption. The Oulunkylä ice field, Europe’s largest outdoor artificial surface, reopened after renovation that improved its energy system while keeping its 1970s layout. Planning for an 8,000-seat stadium at Oulunkylä Sports Park began in spring 2025 and remains in public consultation. Helsinki Halli reopened to media in July 2026 following its sale to Trevian Kasvu.

These projects proceed on separate timelines set by city planning documents, allowing local clubs and schools to maintain current schedules while new venues come online.