A TRUE SPORTS CITY
Tampere and the whole area around it is renowned for its inclusive and diverse sporting opportunities for all. From elite sports academies to free of charge community-level activities, residents of all ages can participate at their preferred level. Whether you’re training for olympics, a high-performance sport or simply engaging in fun community activities, Tampere supports active living for everyone.
Tampere has earned its reputation as one of the world’s top sports cities through significant investments in state-of-the-art facilities and a thriving community dedicated to sports at all levels. In fact, in 2023 Tampere was ranked 42nd on the list of the top 100 sports cities in the world, outpacing cities like Montreal (43rd), Salt Lake City (63rd), and Stockholm (64th). From grassroots programs to world-class elite-level competition, Tampere offers something for everyone.
Tampere’s commitment to sports is reflected in its continuous investment in top-tier venues. These world-class facilities attract major international events, making Tampere the go-to destination for national team matches and world championships. It’s a place where both athletes and fans from all around Finland experience the best in sports and impressive experiences.
Nokia Arena:
The crown jewel of Tampere, Nokia Arena, is a 15,000-seat multifunctional venue hosting Finland’s ice hockey champions and international tournaments in ice hockey, floorball, and basketball. It also features a hotel, conference facilities, and restaurants, all located in the heart of the city
Read more: The future of events.
Tammela Stadium, a UEFA Category 4 football venue in central Tampere, hosts top Finnish teams and international matches, including Tampereen Ilves. The new stadium also features a shopping center with restaurants and other amenities.
Kauppi sports park and stadium:
At Kauppi Sports Park, you can enjoy year-round outdoor activities and exciting Finnish baseball in the summer. The Kauppi Baseball Stadium, home to Manse PP’s men’s and women’s Superpesis teams, offers exiting and interactive entertainment for the whole family.
The iconic Hakametsä Ice Hall is being transformed into a comprehensive Sport Campus, offering world-class facilities for athletes, enthusiasts, and businesses. The project will create a dynamic space for training, competitions, and community activities, with completion phases in 2026, 2029, and the entire district by 2032, ensuring a state-of-the-art sports hub for future generations.
Tampere boasts some of the largest sports clubs in Finland, such as Europe’s best grassroots club Ilves, known for being the country’s biggest grassroots and junior sports organization. These clubs offer a range of activities for all ages, providing the opportunity to choose between competitive and recreational levels. Whether you want to join an academy or enjoy community sports, the city has options that cater to your ambitions.
Multi-sport clubs:
Multi-sport clubs like Tampereen Pyrintö offer everything from athletics to basketball and from ski jumping to cheerleading.
Grassroots sports:
Finland’s largest junior sports clubs, such as Europe’s best grassroots club Ilves, build community and encourage participation at every level.
Accessible options:
Many programs, especially for children, are affordable or even free, many of them run in collaboration with schools and clubs, ensuring that sports are accessible to everyone.
Tampere is a hub for elite sports, producing top athletes across various disciplines. Known for its strong ice hockey scene, home to successful teams Tappara and Ilves, the city also excels in football, pesäpallo (Finnish baseball), basketball, floorball, and athletics. Youth development programs, along with the Varala High Performance Training Center and Tampere Sports Academy, support over 1,700 athletes from school to international competition. In the Paris 2024 Olympics, 10 athletes from Pirkanmaa represented Finland. Tampere is also known for hosting international events, including world championships in ice hockey, basketball, volleyball, and floorball.
Tampere’s sporting opportunities are designed to be inclusive and diverse. From academies to park sports, residents can select the level of participation that suits their lifestyle and wallet. Tampere provides a variety of free public sports facilities, including ice rinks, outdoor gyms, and recreational parks that are open to all.
Free access to many sports facilities:
Public sports opportunities like ice skating rinks, ski slopes, football fields, and other public sports facilities are for free use.
Outdoor gyms and parks:
Tampere region offers countless outdoor activities year-round. It also provides several free-to-use outdoor gyms, parks and recreation ares that encourage an active lifestyle.
Guided sports programs:
Municipalities in Tampere area offer guided affordable or free sports for all ages, providing fitness and fun for everyone, from children to seniors.
For those seeking more structured sports experiences, Tampere offers a wide variety of paid all year round activities. These include activity parks with trampolines, climbing, and obstacle courses for families and kids; acrobatic classes for children, combining fitness and agility; yoga (indoor and outdoor) for all levels; fitness centers offering weightlifting, CrossFit, Pilates, and other group classes; padel courts for casual games or leagues; and several golf courses and disc golf courses, ranging from beginner-friendly to championship-level.
In Tampere, employers take workplace well-being seriously, offering a variety of benefits to support physical and mental health. Many companies provide access to gyms, fitness classes, organized sports activities or have even their own teams that compete in company leagues or tournaments. Corporate wellness programs often include subsidized gym memberships, flexible working hours for exercise, and access to public sports facilities. These benefits, coupled with Tampere’s public sports infrastructure, make it easier for employees to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, both during and after work hours. Read more about work-life balance in Tampere.
Sports are seamlessly integrated into school life in Tampere region, where physical education is part of the curriculum. Many schools collaborate with local clubs to offer sports before or after school hours, ensuring that children can easily participate in sports while balancing their responsibilities. Schools like Sampo, Tesoma, and Hatanpää high schools, along with Sammon Keskuslukio, Tredu and Tampere University of Applied Sciences, are pioneers in supporting student-athletes, ensuring they can excel in both sports and studies. Afternoon sports programs provide children with opportunities to explore various sports in a supportive environment.