Hakametsä Sport Campus project moving forward at pace

Article posted by Coliseum, June 1^st, 2026

Image: Hakametsä Sport Campus

Finland’s Hakametsä Sport Campus project has taken a significant step forward with the first businesses in the area being revealed.

Together with the Varala Sports Institute, Talo Events is developing an operating model for the campus in the city of Tampere, Finland, which will cover a wide range of event activities and large public gatherings.

SuperPark indoor activity park, Tampere Climbing Centre, VALO Hotel & Work, and Compass Group Finland will all be operating from the campus.

Together, these partners are shaping a unique, open campus that brings together sports, events, living, and services on an unprecedented scale.

Project Development Manager Mikko Heikkinen said, “There has been growing interest in the area and negotiations are underway with several different operators. The campus area as a whole will be developed to be as interesting, diverse and offering events and as many different forms of exercise as possible.

Image: Hakametsä Sport Campus

“We are very satisfied with the coverage so far and the aim is to start construction of the first venue in the area in 2027.”

More partners and services will follow as the Hakametsä Sport Campus project develops into a diverse and internationally attractive hub for sports, wellbeing, and events.

Compass Group Finland has been selected as the service provider for restaurant and catering operations. They will also offer event, café and 24/7 store services in the area.

The Superpark indoor activity park will also be built in Hakametsä, which offers a unique setting for children, young people, adults and families to spend their time actively.

Tampere Climbing Centre is expanding its operations by opening a new modern climbing center, which will offer a diverse setting for beginners, enthusiasts and ambitious climbers.

Image: Hakametsä Sport Campus

VALO Hotel & Work is the provider of hotel and workspace services. VALO is expanding from Helsinki to Tampere.

Varala, Finland’s first sports institute, plans to transfer a significant part of its educational operations, the sports academy center and a large part of its coaching center operations to Hakametsä. In addition, Varala plans to actively produce various well-being services for both companies and consumers.

Varala Sports Institute is a leading sports education institute, a growing training center and a versatile center for sports, leisure and recreational activities. Varala, a pioneer in its field, was founded back in 1909 and has evolved over the years from a small gymnastics center for women to an active multifaceted sport, leisure and education center that is open to everyone.

Paulina Ahokas, CEO of Talo Events, said, “Hakametsä Sport Campus is a strategically important and unique entity in terms of content. It is great to see how the entity is being built. Together, we will create a new kind of communal and well-being-promoting environment in Tampere.”

Image: Hakametsä Sport Campus

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