Helsinki Arena is now Finnish-owned – this is what the arena looks like after years of disuse

On Monday, the Arena opened its doors to the media for the first time in almost three years. The aim is to have the facilities ready for use in April.

The doors of the Helsinki Arena were opened today for the first time to outsiders after three years.

The Arena deal is now officially closed.

The real estate investment company Trevian Kasvu LP Ky has today acquired Helsinki Halli Oy’s C series quorum shares. Halli is now under Finnish ownership.

In November 2024, the parties signed a binding agreement on the deal. Eventually, the deal received permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the bailiff in early February.

– I’m really delighted and relieved, Paananen comments on the shops.

According to him, over the years have been more than ten buyer candidates, some of which have been foreigners in the field.

A press conference at Helsinki Arena. In the picture, Reima Södervall. Heikki Viitikko in the background. — Reima Södervall, CEO of Trevia Asset Management, said he was pleased with the transaction.

Person at a press conference. — Owner Heikki Viitikko told a press conference about the situation in the arena.

The mayor dreamed of Eurovision in Helsinki

According to Viitikko, the name of the arena will be announced later. The purpose is to use the designation of the Arena in the future.

Viitikko says that the arena is intended to have a diverse set of cultural and sporting events in the future. Particular attention is made at top international events.

It is not yet known which event in the arena will be seen first.

– We have been in contact with a lot of domestic first row artists who have asked if they could be the first, Viitikko comments.

Opening the arena is of great importance to the city.

– We have been a wing city because of the situation. Now we get a great arena for culture and sports.

Juhana Vartiainen sits at a press conference. Jesse Ranta sits on the left and Kim Särs on the right ..

Toilets have been pulled and the waters were lowered during the closure

The arena has worked for about ten people throughout the barn who have taken care of the hall.

– We have pulled toilets, lowered water into the wells, done small maintenance and maintained cleanliness.

Ranta says that the arena was able to maintain critical functions by reserves when electricity and district heating were cut off last fall.

– This made it possible to prevent the worst threats.

After a November agreement, the arena has undergone many different repairs and maintenance.

– For example, every chair of the audience has been washed and they are welcoming new customers.

Ranta says that, for example, various remedies requested by the rescue service will still have to take the arena by the end of March.

According to the security manager, the condition of the arena is currently in good condition and he believes that the technical opening of the place is possible in the spring.

Four people at the Helsinki Arena briefing. — A press conference was held in the Helsinki Arena on Monday. Among those present were Kai Paananen (left), a representative of the vendors, Perttu Puro from Tradeka, Jesse Ranta from Helsinki Halli Oy and the Mayor of Helsinki, Juhana Vartiainen of the Finnish National Coalition Party.

Overview of the interior of Helsinki Arena. — The hall has the Jokerei hockey team logo on the ceiling.

Helsinki Arena Corridor. — The media had been invited to the arena for a press conference.

At the beginning of February, the company’s frontman and entrepreneur Heikki Viitikko said he hoped that the arena would have new events again in the spring.

The arena has been empty for about three years. The action at the venue soon ceased when the Russian offensive war in Ukraine began and previous Russian owners in the arena ended up on the sanctions list.

Over the years, the stages of an empty building have been closely followed.