Tammelan Stadion – stadium description

What is Tammelan Stadium like in a nutshell?

Tammelan Stadium is not only a football facility, but it also includes connected apartment buildings and an underground parking garage, hidden under the pitch. The whole was created in an extravagant form with an unusual concave roof.

The stadium can accommodate just over 8,000 spectators and is rated in the highest, UEFA Category 4. The facility was built between 2021 and 2024, on the site of the previous stadium of the same name.

How was the new Tammelan Stadium built?

What was the predecessor of the current Tammelan Stadium?

The old Tammelan Stadium opened in 1931, and received its final form after upgrades in the 1990s. The facility did not have a running track, and its covered stands could accommodate about 5,000 spectators.

When did the idea of building a new Tammelan Stadium come about?

At the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century, there were ideas to build the stadium on another site, so that apartment buildings could be built in place of the old stadium. However, in December 2012, the city authorities opted to keep the facility in its current location and carry out a comprehensive reconstruction.

When was the design for the new Tammelan Stadium developed?

An architectural competition was held between 2013 and 2014, and the results were announced on October 1, 2014. It was won by the well-known Finnish studio JKMM Architects (chief arch. Samuli Miettinen), which presented a design called “Hattutemppu” (“hat trick”).

The plan was to replace the existing stadium with a completely new venue. The field was to be rotated by 90°, and an underground parking lot was planned underneath. In addition, the facility was to be built with adjacent new residential blocks with a number of commercial functions, all contained in a unique form with a concave canopy.

The design of the new Tammelan Stadium can be seen on a separate subpage

When was the new Tammelan Stadium built?

On April 11, 2016, the city adopted a zoning plan to allow implementation of the development. In December 2020, just before the start of the project, the city approved the allocation of additional funds that would bring the capacity of the reconstructed stadium to 8,000 spectators (more than 6,000 had previously been planned), so that the facility could receive (the highest) UEFA Category 4.

The last match in the old stadium was held on October 31, 2020. Demolition began in the spring of 2021, and construction of the new facility began in July of the same year. Pohjola Rakennus was the main contractor, but a large part of the project (including the parking lot under the pitch and the blocks on the east side) was to be carried out by YIT. The work was completed in early 2024.

When did the new Tammelan Stadium open?

On January 21, 2024, the first friendly game was held at the new facility, in which Tampere United won against SJK Akatemia reserves 4–1. The first official match (and with the participation of the public) took place on February 16, 2024 in the League Cup (Ilves – FC Haka 2–2).

However, the actual premiere of the new stadium was a match of the first round of the new Veikkausliiga season, played on April 6, 2024 between Ilves and FC Lahti (0–0). The first musical event was a Lauri Tähkä concert on June 26, 2024.

On June 4, 2024, the first match at the new Tammelan Stadium was played by the Finnish women's national team (1–1 against the Netherlands in a qualifier for the European Championships). On September 10, 2024, the U-21 national team also played here for the first time (2-0 against Romania, also in a qualifier for the European Championships).

How much did the new Tammelan Stadium cost?

The cost of building the stadium was about €44.4 million. The investment was financed mainly from the municipal budget, although the project was also subsidized with money from UEFA (€1 million) and the Ministry of Education (€750,000), and partial reimbursement of expenses was provided by the sale of apartments and commercial space.

Who became the host of the new Tammelan Stadium?

With the opening of the new Tammelan Stadium, Tampere already has two major stadiums. Ratina Stadium remains the largest, but the new Tammelan Stadion features modernity and has no athletics track.The city's major football clubs have decided to play at the new facility: in addition to Ilves, which has also become the operator, Tampere United and TPV play there as well.

In its first season at the new stadium (2024), Ilves, playing in the top division (Veikkausliiga), finished as runner-up.

What does the new Tammelan Stadium look like?

The new Tammelan Stadion building is an interesting combination of a football facility and residential blocks. The whole is held together by a unique concave roof, and an underground parking lot is hidden under the (artificial) turf.

The facility was designed to make maximum use of the available plot of land. Hence the relatively narrow auditorium behind the goals and the tiered stands along the pitch, to which the apartment buildings have been adjoined from the outside.

There are six residential buildings in total, three on each side. The blocks are finished with white brick and connect to each other in the lower part, where the commercial part has been placed: supermarket, restaurants, service outlets, etc.

The two tallest apartment buildings, situated in the middle, tower over the entire building, and some of its apartments have windows overlooking the football field.

The stadium itself can accommodate just over 8,000 spectators (all seats under the roof). The folding seats are in white and shades of gray. The main stand with glass boxes and business areas is located on the west side. The facility is equipped with four lighting masts and two video screens, and the Ilves club store is located under the south stand.

The uniqueness of the roof is expressed not only by its concave shape, but also by the way it is supported: attention is drawn to the interesting Y-shaped supports in the corners as well as to the pillars and cables used to support the eastern section. The open space between the roof and the stands behind the goals is enclosed by glass walls.

The structure distinguishes itself through its sophisticated concave form, although on the other hand the residential blocks and their brick façade allow it to blend in with its surroundings.

Where is Tammelan Stadium located?

The stadium is located in the Tammela district (hence the name), not far from the city center. Its surroundings can be reached by public transportation, and Tampere's main train station is about half a kilometer away.

Has Tammelan Stadium won industry awards?

The facility has been appreciated by receiving victories in Finnish architectural competitions: Vuoden Teräsrakenne (2023) and Arkkitehtuurin Finland (2024).