2025 Finlandia Planning Thread

[ChillSkate]

I am considering going to Finlandia Trophy in 2025 and wanted to set up a thread to see if anyone else is considering going or if anyone has any information they could share from last year.

Finlandia will be held on November 21-23 at the Helsinki Ice Hall, which is the same venue as last year. It sounds like the arena is old but okay though I haven't read too much positive or negative about it.

The Finnish Fed has announced that tickets will go on sale in September. It sounds like last year all-event tickets were available in the lower levels for ~200 Euros.

The schedule last year was quite different from other Grand Prix events:

• Friday: Men's Short, Women's Short, Pairs Short
• Saturday: Men's Free, Women's Free, Rhythm Dance
• Sunday: Pairs Free, Free Dance

It looks like the Helsinki Ice Hall is downtown though there are not a ton of hotels within immediate walking distance. However, there seems to be a tram station a ~10 minute walk from the arena and it sounds like Helsinki has good public transit.

It also seems that weather can be quite difficult in Helsinki in November between the cold and the dark.

So, I'm strongly considering going given I've always wanted to go to Helsinki, it seems relatively easy to navigate the city, and I'm excited about the skaters who are there. However, I'm a little hesitant about the weather and the fact that there are limited hotels within walking distance of the arena. Sounds like I have a few months to decide before tickets go on sale.

Is anyone else planning to go to Finlandia or thinking about it? Did anyone go last year and have positive or negative experiences to share?

 

[Ms Bumblebee]

I am a local and went there last year.
The arena location is great, there are bus and tram stops right in front of the entrance. Maximum distance you need to walk is maybe 50 meters. You can get to Jäähalli from all around the metropolitan area pretty easily with public transportation.

The main street Mannerheimintie is just around the corner with dozens of buses. And the second biggest railway station Pasila is 10 minutes away with tram or bus. You could also walk there in 20 minutes. HSL is the local transportation service and you can check out the route maps and prices here:
https://www.hsl.fi/en/tickets-and-fares

The city center is 15 minutes away with bus/tram. It's possible to walk there as well and the route along Töölönlahti is nice. Helsinki in general is a walkable city, public transportation works quickly and realiably plus the streets are safe.

Last year there was only two different price category: ice level and nosebleed section.
These were the Early bird prices valid until a month before the competition:
Ice level Friday 38€ Saturday 54€ Sunday 42€
Nosebleed section Fri 25€ Sat 33€ Sun 27€
Day ticket price included the practices.

They didn't sell All Event packages last year. And because there was no gala the timetable was a bit weird. But I actually ended up enjoying it because the days weren't that packed. We have no knowledge yet are they planning to have the gala this year or not. Two previous years at Espoo there was a gala and it was the only event on Sunday. I would guess we will get more news about the timetable in August.

Depending on what you consider a walking distance but I'd say there's like 10 hotels where you can walk easily from Jäähalli. Scandic, Sokos Hotel and Crown Plaza are the biggest hotel chains. Check out Forenom, Noli Studios and Airbnb options.

Yes, November in Finland is the worst It is dark and can be really cold. Most likely the temperature is around zero degrees of Celsius (32 in Fahrenheits?) But as the local proverb goes it is just a question of how one dresses.
Sky will be light grey when you get to the arena and after the competition day is done it will be pitch black. And quiet. At worst it could get windy, rainy and slushy and you will feel miserable.

But usually we get the first snow in the end of November which is always magical. Also the Christmas lights and decorations are most likely up as well. And however much you might shiver outside you can chill out barefoot at your accommodation because we are serious with the insulation of our buildings and central heating systems.

 

[ChillSkate]

@Ms Bumblebee - This is fantastic information and so helpful to hear your experiences at the event last year. Thank you for posting this!

 

[DE93]

Do we know if Finlandia is going with no Gala again this year?

 

[ChillSkate]

Do we know if Finlandia is going with no Gala again this year?

The schedule for Finlandia has not yet been published and Ms. Bumblebee reported above that it is not yet known whether there will be a gala this year.

 

[Carina]

If you want to be close to the arena there’s a Scandic hotel about 600 m away and tram stops just outside of it. So very easy to get from Vanda and the city center.