Nokia Arena (Tampere)
{{short description|Finnish ice hockey arena}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Nokia Arena
| native_name = {{lang|fi|Nokia-areena}}
| nickname =
| logo_image =
| logo_caption =
| image = Nokia Arena May 2022 3.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = The arena, with the hotel on top, in May 2022
| fullname = Tampere Deck Arena
({{lang|fi|Tampereen Kannen areena}})
| former_names = Tampere Deck Arena
Tampere Central Multipurpose Arena
UROS LIVE
| address = Kansikatu 3
| location = Tampere, Finland
| coordinates = {{coord|61.493952|23.772955|display=inline,title|type:landmark}}
| broke_ground = 2018
| opened = {{Start date|2021|12|03|df=y}}[https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12213695 "Tämä on kaikille se eka kerta" – näin Tampereen liikenne muuttuu, kun 13 000 ihmistä menee uudelle areenalle perjantaina] – YLE (in Finnish)
| renovated =
| expanded =
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = {{ubl|LähiTapiola|OP|Ilmarinen|[https://www.srv.fi/en/srv-as-a-company/ SRV Group]|City of Tampere}}
| operator = Tampere Deck and Arena Management Oy
| surface =
| screens = Center-hung media cube, two ribbon displays
| cost = €124 million (estimated)
| architect = Daniel Libeskind
| project_manager =
| structural engineer = Ramboll Finland
| services engineer =
| general_contractor =
| main_contractors = {{interlanguage link|SRV-yhtiöt|fi}}
| capacity = 13,455 (ice hockey)
15,000 (concerts)
| suites = 63
| record_attendance = 13,054
| dimensions = {{convert|60|m|ft|abbr=on}} by {{convert|28|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| acreage = 50,000 m2{{Cite web |title=Arena information |url=https://nokiaarena.fi/en/information/arena-information/ |access-date=3 December 2023 |website=Nokia Arena |language=fi}}
| tenants = Tappara (ice hockey)
Ilves (ice hockey)
| embedded =
| website = {{url|nokiaarena.fi/en/}}
}}
The Nokia Arena, also known by its non-sponsored name Tampere Deck Arena ({{langx|fi|Tampereen Kannen areena|links=no}}), is an indoor arena in Tampere, Finland, which hosts ice hockey games and large cultural events. It is the home arena of Ilves and Tappara of the SM-liiga. Its construction was approved by the City Council of Tampere on 19 May 2010,{{Cite web |title=Tampereen monitoimiareena -hanke läpi myös valtuustossa |work=Rakennuslehti |date=May 20, 2010 |access-date= |url= https://www.rakennuslehti.fi/2010/05/tampereen-monitoimiareena-hanke-lapi-myos-valtuustossa/ |language=fi}} and it was officially opened on 3 December 2021 and was the first arena in the world to feature LED dasher boards.[https://www.hs.fi/urheilu/art-2000008447590.html Nokia Arena avataan perjantaina, mutta sen seisomakatsomo ei toimi vieläkään: ”Pomppiminen ja jatkuva seisominen on valitettavasti kielletty”] – Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish){{Cite web |date=2025-03-13 |title=AHL team first in North America to install 360-degree LED dasherboards |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/12/23/360-degree-dasherboards-hockey/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}
The NHL teams Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche played two games at the Nokia Arena in the 2022 NHL Global Series on 4–5 November 2022.{{cite news|last=Rosen|first=Dan|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2022-nhl-global-series-teams-announced/c-333214498|title=Predators-Sharks, Avalanche-Blue Jackets to play in NHL Global Series|publisher=National Hockey League|date=April 22, 2022|access-date=April 25, 2022}}{{Cite web |title=NHL Global Series lands to Tampere and Nokia Arena on November 4-5 |work=City of Tampere |date=27 October 2022 |access-date=1 November 2022 |url= https://www.tampere.fi/en/current/2022/10/27/nhl-global-series-lands-tampere-and-nokia-arena-on-november-4-5}} 12,882 spectators showed up for the first game between two NHL teams at the Nokia Arena.{{Cite web |title=Avalanche 6-3 Blue Jackets (Nov 4, 2022) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=401458764 |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=ESPN |language=en}} The Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers played two games at the Nokia Arena in the 2024 NHL Global Series on 1–2 November 2024.{{cite news|last=Rosen|first=Dan|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2024-global-series-to-feature-buffalo-new-jersey-florida-dallas|title=2024 Global Series to feature Sabres, Devils, Panthers, Stars|publisher=National Hockey League|date=12 March 2024|access-date=26 March 2024}} Nokia Arena hosted back-to-back IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships in 2022 and 2023.{{Cite web |title=IIHF - To Tampere & Riga in 2023 |url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2023/wm/news/37813/to_tampere_riga_in_2023 |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation |language=en}}
In 2024 and 2025, the venue hosted {{lang|fi|Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu}} (UMK), the Finnish selection for the Eurovision Song Contest.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-03 |title=Tampere welcomes Contest for New Music UMK to the City {{!}} www.tampere.fi |url=https://www.tampere.fi/en/current/2023/10/03/tampere-welcomes-contest-new-music-umk-city |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=www.tampere.fi |language=en}} In 2025, it will host the group phase matches for the FIBA EuroBasket. Former U.S. president Barack Obama is set to give a speech in the arena in 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-03 |title=Näin suolaiset hinnat Obaman vierailulla Tampereella on – olisitko valmis pulittamaan? |url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20146995?utm_medium=social&utm_source=copy-link-share |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=Yle Uutiset |language=fi}} The arena has been announced as the venue for the 2027 World Figure Skating Championships.{{cite web | url = https://www.skatingfinland.fi/tapahtumat/suomelle-vuoden-2027-taitoluistelun-mm-kilpailut/ | date = 2025-04-09 | access-date = 2025-04-09 | publisher = Suomen Taitoluisteluliitto | title = Suomelle vuoden 2027 taitoluistelun MM-kilpailut | language = Finnish}}
Background
File:Nokia Arenan avajaiset 1.jpg
After delays, the arena and the adjacent mixed use high-rise development got a final approval and construction began in January 2018. The final plan calls for a deck to be built over a railway line. This deck will have the multi-purpose arena (at least 13,455 seats),{{Cite web|url=https://ramboll.com/projects/ruk/tampere-arena|title=Tampere, Finland|website=Ramboll Group}} offices, commercial development, housing, a hotel and a casino. The overall vision was designed by Daniel Libeskind.Fazzare, Elizabeth (December 16, 2021). "Daniel Libeskind’s Design in Finland Is the World’s Most Exciting New Stadium". Architectural Digest. Retrieved December 20, 2021.[https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12212583 Tampereen Kannen alue on arkkitehti Daniel Libeskindin mielestä todellinen 2000-luvun hanke – "Uskon, että alueesta tulee ikoninen ja kiinnostava"] – YLE (in Finnish) The arena was completed by December 2021,{{Cite web |title=Tampereen areena valmistuu joulukuussa 2021 |last1=Nieminen |first1=Elina |work=YLE |date=August 26, 2020 |access-date= |url= https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-11511940 |language=fi}} in time for the 2022 IIHF World Championship. The rest of the development is to be completed by 2024.{{Cite web |title=Tampereen Kannen ja areenan työt käynnissä – Lue tästä kaikki tulevien vuosien suurimmasta rakennushankkeesta |last1=Roth |first1=Raili |last2=Airo |first2=Tatu |work=Aamulehti |date=October 2, 2017 |access-date= |url= https://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/nain-tampereen-kansi-ja-areena-on-edennyt-lue-tasta-kaikki-tulevien-vuosien-suurimmasta-rakennushankkeesta-200426467 |language=fi}} Casino Tampere will also open in connection with the arena,{{cite web|url=https://www.tamperelainen.fi/paikalliset/4205388|title=Tällainen on uusi Casino Tampere – "Elokuvista tulleet mielikuvat ovat vääriä...", James Bondkin tarvitsisi pian kasinokortin|first=Teemu|last=Nurmi|work=Tamperelainen|date=June 30, 2021|access-date=November 18, 2021|language=fi}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aamulehti.fi/talous/art-2000008324708.html|title=Tampereella avaa pian ovensa kaupungin ensimmäinen kasino – Katso tuoreet kuvat työmaalta: "Ei haluta tehdä tästä mitään paheellista"|first=Henriikka|last=Korte|work=Aamulehti|date=October 22, 2021|access-date=November 18, 2021|language=fi}} and according to preliminary plans, the casino will employ about 80 people.{{Cite web |title=Veikkaus Oy unveils projected opening date for Finland's new Casino Tampere |last1=Morgan |first1=Adam |work=World Casino News |date=September 1, 2020 |access-date=October 22, 2020 |url= https://news.worldcasinodirectory.com/veikkaus-oy-unveils-projected-opening-date-for-finlands-new-casino-tampere-83354}} {{ill|Lapland Hotels|fi|Lapland Hotels}} opened a luxury hotel called Lapland Hotels Arena next to the arena on 12 December 2021.{{cite web | last = Haapala | first = Riina | title = Uros Live -areenan katolle suunnitellaan näköalasaunoja ja kattoterassia| work = Tamperelainen | date = September 10, 2020 | url = https://www.tamperelainen.fi/paikalliset/2992922 | access-date = November 15, 2021 | language = fi}}{{cite web | first = Marianne | last = Zitting | url = https://www.iltalehti.fi/matkajutut/a/8b2fdef2-3c18-49dc-ac5d-a37affc67f07 | title = Tällaista ei Suomessa olla ennen nähty! Tampereen uutuushotelliin tulee ainutlaatuisia huoneita | work = Iltalehti | date = November 13, 2021 | access-date = November 15, 2021 | language = fi}}{{cite web | url = https://www.aamulehti.fi/tampere/art-2000008470546.html | title = Tampereen Nokia-areenan hotelli aukesi – Katso kuvat ja lue tunnelmat avajaispäivästä: "Olin ovenkahvassa juuri kun avattiin" | first = Jenna | last = Keto-Tokoi | work = Aamulehti | date = December 13, 2021 | access-date = December 14, 2021 | language = fi}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tamperelainen.fi/paikalliset/4406619|title=Lapland Hotels Arena on hienosäätöjä vaille valmis – "Tapahtumahotelli kiinnostaa asiakkaita"|first=Pekka|last=Ruissalo|work=Tamperelainen|date=December 15, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|language=fi}}
File:Nokia Arenan avajaiset 14.jpg (yellow and green) and Tappara (blue and orange) on December 3, 2021 at Nokia Arena]]
In March 2020, it was announced that, under a ten-year sponsorship agreement with the UROS Group in Oulu, the arena would be called "UROS LIVE".{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/tampere-deck-arena-lands-uros-as-naming-rights-sponsor/|title=Tampere Deck Arena lands Uros as naming-rights sponsor|date=March 6, 2020|website=SportBusiness}} The naming caused a small scale scandal due to name's overly masculine tone, as {{lang|fi|uros}} means "male" in Finnish.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-03-05|title=Men only? Tampere's new arena gets a very masculine name {{!}} News Now Finland|url=https://newsnowfinland.fi/domestic/men-only-tamperes-new-arena-gets-a-very-masculine-name|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-22|website=|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=New €125 million leisure complex in Tampere to be named 'UROS Live' attracts online mockery and criticism|url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/news-in-brief/17401-new-125-million-leisure-complex-in-tampere-to-be-named-uros-live-attracts-online-mockery-and-criticism.html|access-date=2020-08-22|website=www.helsinkitimes.fi|language=en-gb}} The agreement was terminated on 28 October 2021 due to Uros Oy's financial problems, and the name of the arena was changed as a result.{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12163711| title = Uros oy sai potkut – Tampereen areena jatkaa nimellä Tampereen Kannen areena|author=Yle|work=yle.fi|date=28 October 2021|access-date=28 October 2021}} Nokia Corporation was chosen as the new sponsor on 19 November 2021, and the arena was renamed as "Nokia Arena".[https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/11/19/2337999/0/en/Finnish-Tampere-Deck-Arena-is-now-Nokia-Arena.html Finnish Tampere Deck Arena is now Nokia Arena] – GlobalNewswire[https://nokiamob.net/2021/11/19/tampere-deck-arena-becomes-nokia-arena/ Tampere Deck Arena Becomes Nokia Arena] – Nokiamob.net
The first scheduled events in the arena were the local matches of the Finnish Championship League on 3 and 4 December 2021. It was originally scheduled to open on 15 December,{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12163844|title=Tampereen areena rasitti rakennusyhtiö SRV:n tulosta: aikataulun kiinni kiriminen aiheutti lisäkustannuksia|date=October 28, 2021|website=Yle Uutiset}} but later the official opening was brought forward to 3 December.
{{Panorama|image=Nokia Arenan avajaiset 28.jpg|height=250|caption=Nokia Arena opening}}
Concerts
Transport
Nokia Arena is easily accessible by public transport, being located 600 meters from the Tampere central railway station and 350 meters from the long-distance bus station. The nearest stops on the Tampere tramway are also approximately 600 and 350 meters away, for lines 3 and 1 respectively. Several local bus routes run on the nearby streets. During the 2023–24 Liiga and CHL seasons, hockey game tickets are also valid tickets for the buses, trams and trains of Nysse, the regional transport authority.
For private cars, there are few parking spaces at the arena but several parking facilities are available nearby. Before and after major events, the streets around the arena may be closed to vehicular traffic.
See also
{{Portal|Finland|Ice hockey}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category-inline}}
- {{Official website|https://nokiaarena.fi/en/}} {{in lang|en}}
- [https://visittampere.fi/en/articles/nokia-arena/ Nokia Arena] at Visit Tampere {{in lang|en}}
{{IIHF World Championship venues}}
{{Tampere Cityscape}}
{{FIBA EuroBasket 2025}}
Category:Indoor arenas in Finland
Category:Buildings and structures in Tampere