After three years of no sports, no events and no plan, Helskinki Halli, or Helsinki Arena, is almost ready to resume its place as the city’s largest event venue. Because it was owned by Russin oligarchs, it has been shut down by sanctions since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In a complicated deal, Finnish real estate company Trevian now owns the controlling shares, although because the previous owners are under both EU and U.S. sanctions, they cannot receive their payout in the Finnish government-approved deal.
The Arena, opened in 1997, can hold about 15,000 spectators for hockey, basketball and concerts. The new owners expect to book 120 to 140 events a year once they have it open again. Despite the long closing, the arena is said to be in good shape because a maintenance crew has continued to work during the shutdown.
Helsinki Mayor Juhana Vartiainen called the reopening a significant moment for the city. “The closure of this venue has been a major loss for Helsinki. Now, we finally have a world-class arena again,” he said. He also suggested that the arena could host events like the Eurovision Song Contest in the future.
Image: Trevian AM/Wikimedia Commons
