Helsinki to host 2030 European Athletics Championships

Finland has won its bid to host the 2030 European Athletics Championships at Helsinki Olympic Stadium, said the City of Helsinki in a press release.

The decision was taken on Thursday by the Executive Board of the European Athletics (EA) Council in Lausanne.

“The decision is both a magnificent conclusion to our three-year bidding effort and the start of an operative process that will culminate in an unforgettable event for both athletes and the public at Helsinki Olympic Stadium,” said Riikka Pakarinen, President of the Finnish Athletics Federation (SUL).

This will be the fourth time that Helsinki has hosted the European Athletics Championships, with previous competitions held at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in 1971, 1994 and 2012.

"We have a world-class stadium, an established infrastructure, a strong athletics tradition and we are currently seeing a surge in public interest. Finnish athletics are on the upswing, so all the conditions are in place for a successful European Championship,” Pakarinen added.

“It’s absolutely wonderful that the European Athletics Championships are returning to Helsinki in 2030. It is one of Europe’s largest sporting events, and securing the event for Helsinki is a testament to our strong expertise and our standing as an international host city for events. We wish Europe’s premier athletes and all spectators a very warm welcome to Helsinki,” said Mayor Daniel Sazonov.

Finland and Helsinki’s bid to host the European Athletics Championships was given the go-ahead at the EA Council’s Executive Board meeting in Lausanne. Before reaching its decision, the EA Council heard presentations from the cities of Helsinki and Brussels, which had both reached the final stage of the bidding process.

Practical preparations for the European Championships will begin immediately, based on plans prepared in advance.

The European Athletics Championships span one week, with seven evening sessions and five morning sessions. Public events associated with the competition will take place over a two-week period.

“Ticket sales will begin in Finland as early as 2027. Priority will be given to the domestic audience and Finland’s 500 athletic clubs. International ticket sales can begin in June 2028, following the European Athletics Championships in Poland,” said SUL General Secretary Harri Aalto.