13.01.2026
Study: Strong public support for Helsinki’s bid to host the 2030 European Athletics Championships and major international sports events
The bid to host the 2030 European Athletics Championships in Helsinki enjoys strong support in Finland. According to a study conducted by Sponsor Insight Finland, Finns consider it important that Finnish track and field athletes have the opportunity to compete in major championships in front of a home crowd.
The study also shows that, in the view of Finns, hosting major international sports events in Finland is beneficial for society.
The survey on major sports events was conducted in December among 656 Finns aged 18 or over. The study was carried out via an online panel. The sample is representative of the Finnish population in terms of age, gender and region of residence.
Pakarinen: “The European Championships bid has broad public support in Finland”
Of those who responded to the Sponsor Insight Finland survey, 71 per cent felt it was important that Finland’s top track and field athletes could compete in major championships at home. A total of 87 per cent of respondents considered hosting major international sports events in Finland to be important. Among respondents aged 18–29, the corresponding figures were 80 per cent and 91 per cent.
In the study, 79 per cent of respondents said they feel pride when Finland hosts international events. Among 18–29-year-olds, the figure was 85 per cent. In addition, 86 per cent of respondents considered Finland to be a responsible host country for competitions.
“The study shows that the European Championships bid enjoys broad support among Finns and that there is strong interest in the national athletics team and its athletes,” says Riikka Pakarinen, Chairperson of the Finnish Athletics Federation (SUL).
“The government led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) also supports major international sports and physical activity events. The Finnish Government aims to strengthen Finland’s role as a host of international sports events and is committed to promoting the bid for, and the hosting of, the European Athletics Championships in Helsinki in 2030.”
The Finnish Athletics Federation has submitted a bid to host the 2030 European Athletics Championships in Helsinki and the wider metropolitan area. The final decision is expected later this year. Alongside Finland, Brussels (Belgium) and Zurich (Switzerland) remain in contention at the final stage of the bidding process.
Major championships also generate significant economic returns
Pakarinen notes that, if realised, the European Athletics Championships would generate substantial economic benefits for Helsinki, the metropolitan area and Finland as a whole.
“A previous study carried out together with the Ministry of Education and Culture (Sport Event Management Finland, JAMK) showed that spectator spending over the two weeks of competition would amount to EUR 65.9 million. The total economic impact of the project on Finland and the capital region during the event organisation years would be EUR 64 million,” Pakarinen notes.
Harri Aalto, CEO of the Finnish Athletics Federation, says that if the European Athletics Championships take place, they will be the most internationally visible event hosted in Finland in 20 years.
“Television coverage on free-to-air channels will reach the whole of Europe, and additional distribution will make the championships visible worldwide. If realised, the European Championships will benefit a wide range of stakeholders, not only athletics clubs, other events and athletes,” Aalto assesses.
Athletics has been Finland’s second-most-popular sport after ice hockey for 14 years (2012–2025). Among the adult population, 2.1 million people are interested in athletics (Sponsor Navigator study).
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Picture: EM 2030 Helsinki
Source: Press release of the Finnish Athletics Federation, 13.1.2026, https://www.yleisurheilu.fi/uutinen/tutkimus-yleisurheilun-helsingin-2030-em-haulle-ja-urheilun-suurtapahtumille-vahva-tuki-yleisolta/
More information:
Riikka Pakarinen
President
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
Klaus Virkkunen
Director of Research
Sponsor Insight
+358 40 584 1157
klaus.virkkunen@sponsorinsight.fi
Sponsor Insight Finland is Finland’s largest research company specialising in the measurement and consultancy of sponsorship and event marketing. The company cooperates with partner agencies in Sweden and Norway and provides its clients with country-specific, Nordic and international insights tailored to their needs.