Free synthetic ice park opens at Laikunlava ahead of 2027 Figure Skating Worlds

A free synthetic ice park at Laikunlava in central Tampere will open on 21 November, operating daily from 9:00 to 21:00 through 20 December. It is intended to welcome skaters ahead of the ISU Figure Skating World Championships Tampere 2027.

The Finnish Figure Skating Association says the park aims to make skating accessible to everyone. The synthetic surface allows skating even at above-freezing temperatures.

Salla Mäkelä, head secretary of the championships, said organisers want the Figure Skating World Championships to be visible and felt in Tampere well before the competition week. "Laikun ice park offers everyone a free opportunity to skate in the heart of the city. Every Finn has the right to learn to skate, and we hope the ice park will inspire both first-timers and more experienced skaters to take to the ice," she said.

Tampere-area clubs will offer free skating lessons on Thursday and Friday evenings, and on Saturdays. Preliminary championship events are planned for Independence Day, 6 December, and on 20 December.

Skates can be rented at the site during events and guided sessions. A full programme and timetable will be published closer to the opening on the Tampere event calendar and the Kulttuuritalo Laikun website.