24.04.2025
SUL Chairperson Pakarinen: Government advances Finland’s model for major sports events – A significant step forward for Helsinki’s 2030 European Athletics Championships bid
The positive drive around Helsinki’s bid for the 2030 European Athletics Championships received a boost when the Finnish government included in its mid-term policy review and public finance plan the following statement: “To attract major international sports events to Finland, we will carry out systematic advocacy and develop a financial model to support the hosting of major sporting events in Finland.”
“This inclusion shows that the government sees major sporting events as productive growth opportunities and wants Finland to be competitive in bidding for them. We are extremely pleased and grateful,” says Riikka Pakarinen, Chairperson of the Finnish Athletics Federation (SUL).
“The Finnish Athletics Federation has been working for more than a year on the Helsinki 2030 European Athletics Championships project. The idea is for this bid to serve as a pilot for Finland’s model for hosting major sports events, ultimately helping to create a permanent funding model for such events in Finland. The government’s statement in the mid-term review confirms that this effort is receiving the desired response.”
Harri Aalto, CEO of SUL (the Finnish Athletics Federation), describes the government’s policy inclusion as a fantastic step forward for both the Helsinki 2030 bid and the broader Finnish model for major sports events.
“It’s great that Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government wants to increase Finland’s role as a host of major international sporting events,” says Aalto.
EA Evaluation Committee visiting Helsinki in autumn
Harri Halme, Project Manager for Helsinki’s 2030 European Athletics Championships bid, is currently preparing the official bid document, which will be submitted to European Athletics (EA) during the summer.
“The next phase of the bidding process will take place in the autumn when EA’s evaluation committee visits Finland. Before that, EA President Dobromir Karamarinov will attend the European U20 Championships in Tampere in August,” Halme explains.
The other candidates bidding to host the 2030 European Athletics Championships are Zurich, Switzerland, and Brussels, Belgium. EA will shortlist two candidates in March 2026.
“The final decision on the host city will be made in October 2026,” Halme states.
_____
Source: Press release of the Finnish Athletics Federation, 24.4.2025; original text in Finnish can be found here.
Picture: SUL
More information:
Riikka Pakarinen
Chairperson
SUL (Finnish Athletics Federation)
+358 40 580 0833
riikka.pakarinen@sul.fi
Harri Aalto
CEO
SUL (Finnish Athletics Federation)
+358 40 823 4200
harri.aalto@sul.fi
Harri Halme
Project Manager
European Athletics Championships 2030 Bid
+358 40 7545 104
harri.halme@welho.com