Zoning approval clears path for Hakametsä Sport Campus; private operators unveiled

Tamperelainen reports that Hakametsä's ice-hall area will be transformed into a mixed sports and leisure campus, as the first tenants for the Hakametsä Sport Campus are now revealed.

The initial lineup includes Compass Group Finland for restaurant, catering, event, café and 24/7 shop services; SuperPark's indoor activity park; Tampereen Kiipeilykeskus (Tampere Climbing Centre), which will open a new modern climbing gym; and VALO Hotel & Work bringing hotel and workspace services from Helsinki. Varala, Finland's first sports institute, plans to move significant parts of its training, sports academy centre and coaching operations to the campus and to provide wellness services for companies and consumers. The city of Tampere will be a tenant, handling bookings for sports facilities and the new sports-focused upper secondary school.

Project development manager Mikko Heikkinen said in a press release that the organisers are pleased with the initial roster and aim to start constructing the first hybrid block during 2027. The campus is being designed with large-scale event facilities, modern digital solutions, and spaces for indoor ball sports and ice sports; operational development partners Talo Events and Varala will further develop event operations. More sports and wellbeing operators are expected to join as the offering expands.