Negotiations regarding Helsinki's bid to host the 2030 European Athletics Championships will take place in Helsinki on 22–23 June with European Athletics (EA).
“In the negotiations, we must convince the EA committee of the bid’s competitiveness, particularly its financial viability, and explain how the State of Finland and the City of Helsinki will contribute to the project’s funding,” says Riikka Pakarinen, President of the Finnish Athletics Federation (SUL).
“Our strengths include the renovated Olympic Stadium, short travel distances, our expertise in events and television and a compact event area in the city centre.”
In addition to Helsinki, bids for the 2030 European Athletics Championships have been submitted by Brussels, Belgium, and Zurich, Switzerland. The decision on the host city will be made in March 2027.
The committee will meet with decision-makers and inspect the conditions
In Helsinki, the EA evaluation committee will meet with SUL leadership and decision-makers from the City of Helsinki and the state, and visit the competition and training venues.
The committee will inspect the competition venues at the renovated Olympic Stadium and Eläintarha sports field, as well as in Leppävaara, Espoo, which has been planned to serve as a training site for the athletes. The committee is also interested in hotels in central Helsinki, which are planned to accommodate the teams, the media and EA.
Biggest sporting event in 20 years
Helsinki's bidding process for the European Athletics Championships began in the spring of 2025. This would be the largest international sporting event to be held in Finland in 20 years.
“For decades, Helsinki has successfully hosted major international sports competitions and other sporting events. The European Athletics Championships are an event of such magnitude that Helsinki and Finland have every reason to bid for them. The event would provide positive experiences for the people of Helsinki and Finns in general,” says Paavo Arhinmäki, Helsinki’s Deputy Mayor in charge of sports and physical activity.
“In addition to bringing joy and memorable experiences to us Finns, major events also have a significant economic impact. In addition to international visibility, major competitions such as the European Athletics Championships provide jobs for local people and businesses, as well as tax revenue for the state from tourism.”
Total economic impact on Helsinki EUR 64 million
The City of Helsinki and the Ministry of Education and Culture previously commissioned a study on the estimated impact of the European Athletics Championships on the City of Helsinki and Finland.
“According to the study, hosting the 2030 European Athletics Championships would bring an estimated EUR 64 million to Helsinki. In addition to the direct economic benefits, the event would boost Helsinki’s visibility and reputation, particularly in the European market,” says the City of Helsinki’s Head of Brand, Events & Marketing Sanna Forsström.
The total economic impact of the event on Finland is EUR 86 million. The impact on the regional economy will amount to EUR 100 million, thanks to the increase in travel, tax revenue, employment and local consumer spending.
The City of Helsinki's Sports Director, Tarja Loikkanen, believes that major sporting events also have an impact on the number of people who participate in physical activity.
“Sporting events provide visible role models for people of all ages, especially young people, encouraging them to take up physical activity and increasing their participation,” says Loikkanen.
“Helsinki also has the facilities in place for the European Athletics Championships. We are in a position to offer the Olympic Stadium as a competition venue – a fully renovated, covered facility that meets the standards of major international competitions and is steeped in athletics history.”
Riikka Pakarinen praises the Finnish model currently under development
Riikka Pakarinen, President of the Finnish Athletics Federation, is pleased with Helsinki’s decision to bid for the European Athletics Championships.
“The strengths of Finland and Helsinki in their bid for the European Athletics Championships are their reputation as an excellent host of major sporting events, short travel distances and the renovated Olympic Stadium, which offers an outstanding setting for a communal experience that touches and unites the entire nation,” says Pakarinen.
Pakarinen also commends the Finnish model for bidding on major sporting events, which is being developed with the City of Helsinki and the national government.
“Competition for major events in Europe is very fierce. That is why, together with the national government and the City of Helsinki, we have been developing a Finnish model for bidding on major international events, which ensures Finland’s competitiveness in attracting major sporting events.”
SUL CEO Harri Aalto sees the European Athletics Championships in Helsinki as a great opportunity for Finnish athletics.
“Finland has regained its medal-winning form in athletics at major international competitions in the 2020s. It would be fantastic to give Finnish athletes the chance to compete in a major competition on their home turf,” says Aalto.
This article was published on 26 February 2025 and updated on 16 April 2026.
