22.12.2025
EuroBasket home games generated €55 Million for Tampere
The EuroBasket home games played in Tampere in August and September brought not only world-class basketball to the city, but also significant economic and image-related benefits. Finland’s national team, the Susijengi, which advanced to the bronze medal game, further ignited nationwide enthusiasm for the tournament.
According to a study conducted by Nielsen on behalf of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the event generated an economic impact of €55.4 million for the Tampere region. In addition, the value of media exposure gained by Tampere through television broadcasts, event branding, and social media reached an estimated €12 million.
The Nokia Arena, which impressed visiting fans, provided a spectacular setting for 15 matches. Games played by Finland’s national team, the Susijengi, were sold out, and more than 115,000 spectators attended the matches on site in total. The official Fan Zone, located next to the railway station, attracted 35,911 visitors, while basketball tourists were also served by the City of Tampere’s summer hub at the Central Square. According to the study, 17% of event visitors came from abroad, and 58% from elsewhere in Finland outside the Tampere region. One quarter of spectators were local to the Tampere area.
Television interest in Finnish basketball reached record levels. The Finland–Lithuania game played in Tampere attracted 1.2 million viewers, while the historic bronze medal game in Riga reached nearly 1.7 million viewers. Overall, tournament broadcasts reached 4.6 million Finns.
The success of the tournament was the result of a massive collective effort. A total of 425 volunteers contributed more than 14,000 hours of work, and the event received the official sustainability label from World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). From a sporting perspective, the Susijengi’s impressive journey to the bronze medal game crowned the tournament.
“EuroBasket 2025 was a magnificent and unforgettable tournament that would not have been possible without Tampere, the organising committee, volunteers, partners, fans – and of course the Susijengi. The event achieved all its objectives: enthusiastic feedback from teams and spectators, increased visibility for basketball, and a responsibly delivered event with significant national economic impact,” says Ari Tammivaara, Secretary General of EuroBasket 2025 Tampere.
The European Championship home games generated a surplus of €1.5 million. While pleased with the result, Finnish Basketball Association Chairman Timo Elo emphasises the event’s broader legacy.
“The European Championships left a lasting mark on Finnish basketball. Visibility, economic impact, and a strong sense of community provide a solid foundation for the sport’s continued growth. We also believe that the enthusiasm sparked by the Susijengi will be reflected in increased participation numbers in the years to come.”
Perttu Pesä, Head of Major Events for the city of Tampere, highlights the atmosphere created by the tournament.
“The unique atmosphere that basketball and its fans brought to Tampere does not emerge without tremendous effort. My sincere thanks go to everyone who made this possible – the federation, clubs, volunteers, and of course the players. The result was outstanding.”
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Source: news of Suomen Koripalloliitto, 22 December 2025, https://www.basket.fi/basket/uutiset/koriksen-em-kotikisat-toivat-tampereelle-55-miljoonaa-euroa/ (in Finnish)
Picture: Joonas Cavén