20.01.2026
Building a national bidding strategy advanced in Helsinki – the third strategy workshop brought together over 50 participants
Finland is currently developing a national, joint bidding strategy for international sports events. The third strategy workshop in the process was held in Helsinki on 16 January 2026, bringing together representatives from cities, national sports federations, and key stakeholders to continue the collaborative work.
The workshop gathered just over 50 participants, representing a broad range of organisations and perspectives. Stakeholders were included in the strategy process for the first time, adding valuable new perspectives, particularly on business development, infrastructure, and the role of the private sector.
Three themes, three discussion areas
The Helsinki workshop advanced the strategy work through three small-group discussion sessions. Each session focused on key questions to identify shared perspectives and strategic directions.
The first discussion examined which types of international sports events are genuinely attractive and strategically significant for Finland. Topics included event clusters in which Finland has a competitive advantage, the development of existing international events hosted in Finland, and the alignment of public and private sector interests in event bidding processes.
The second discussion focused on event infrastructure and its development. Participants explored infrastructure-related bottlenecks that limit Finland’s ability to bid for international events, national and regional solutions to infrastructure challenges, and the integration of event infrastructure into broader urban development, vitality, and tourism strategies.
The third discussion centred on the practical implementation of the strategy, including incentives and funding models that encourage commitment from different actors, the role of a national support function, the division of responsibilities, and indicators for measuring success.
Constructive dialogue, the power of collaboration, and early commitment
The workshop further reinforced the shared understanding that the successful bidding and hosting of international sports events requires close cooperation and clearer operating models across sectors.
Key themes that emerged from the discussions included:
- International event bids should be assessed more strongly from a national economic impact perspective.
- Event infrastructure was viewed as a broader ecosystem in which mobility, accommodation, and services are just as critical as the event venues themselves.
- Event timing and annual cycle planning were seen as important tools for balancing tourism demand and supporting regional vitality.
- Early stakeholder engagement and commitment were identified as key success factors in event bidding, including from a funding perspective.
- A clear need was identified for stronger national coordination and a dedicated support function to ensure that event bids do not rely on the limited resources of individual organisations and that efforts are not duplicated.
Even the strategy process itself has already served as an effective platform for much-needed dialogue and knowledge sharing. The fourth and final joint workshop will be held in the capital region in March. The national bidding strategy is scheduled to be completed during spring 2026.
Read the news in Finnish here.
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Background and purpose of the strategy work
The aim of the strategy work is to establish a national framework and shared direction for bidding for international sports events and major championships in Finland. The process seeks to strengthen cooperation, improve the efficient allocation of resources, and increase shared understanding of the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders.
The strategy is not intended to be a standalone document. Instead, its goal is to become a living framework, embedded in the day-to-day operations of cities, the sports sector, and the event industry.
Pictures: Sport Event Management Finland & Tapahtumateollisuus