Volleyball

Nokia Tampere Arena, where magic happens

News

Article Tue, Jul 21 2026
Author: Cecilia Mussi

Among the five best things to do in Tampere, there is not a visit to the Tammerkoski area or a walk near the lake, but a tour of the Nokia Arena. 

The venue of the CEV EuroVolley 2026 Men Pool C matches is one of the gems of the Finnish city, and not just that. Designed by the world known architect Daniel Libeskind, opened in December 2021, with 15,000 seats available, it is a multifunctional area where different sports can take place, starting from volleyball, of course, but also ice hockey, ice skating, basketball and combat sports.

The arena is designed to provide an amazing experience for all fans - no matter where they actually sit!

"A couple of months after EuroVolley there will be the Floorball World Championships. After that, figure skaters are coming in to compete in their World Championships in March 2027. All of these major sporting events will enjoy great success and packed audiences, which is a track record that most probably attracts other events to follow."

Sami Rumpunen, Chief Officer of Nokia Arena

In the Arena there will not be just volleyball action, because it is also a space for entertainment (hotel and casino), food, practice (for ice hockey) and there is a lobby where people can gather together for events of different sorts. “It creates a dynamic urban skyline that reflects light, colour, and form - said Daniel Libeskind - Like precious gemstones on a crown, the forms crystallise in a richness of contemporary urban living”. During Men’s EuroVolley the capacity of the arena will be over 13,000 and there is no doubt Finnish Volleyball fans will fill in the venue to cheer for their local heroes from September 10 to 17. In fact it is the second time Tampere hosts the tournament, since in 2021 it took place at Hakametsä Ice Hall.

The Nokia Arena lies at the very heart of the city of Tampere

Now the spotlights are ready to turn to Nokia Arena, where fans can even book a hotel room in the (literally) heart of the action, with private access to a box inside the arena. One of the most important things of this venue is the technology: in the “bowl”, the main stage of the arena, all the digital surfaces are the top quality screens you can find. There’s more: over 200 digital display surfaces, advanced AR/VR capabilities, immersive LED media cubes, and smart energy-saving systems. And what about the exterior features? At Nokia Arena there are two of the largest mesh LED screens in the Nordics. 

"The venue is equipped with millions and millions of pixels all around the arena bowl, the concourses, the lobby as well as the outer arena surroundings; they are fairly easy to be visually taken over. EuroVolley will certainly dress our venue with its LED ribbons, media cubes and large-scale Mesh screens all the way."

Sami Rumpunen, Chief Officer of Nokia Arena

From the outside to the inside, the stands can easily change according to the events, thanks to the automated telescopic tribunes. Retractable and extendable telescopic tribunes operate in sections, allowing the arena to host a variety of events in just a few days. "It’s hard to see how another arena in Europe would be able to top the game experience Nokia Arena can offer. We’ll certainly have the services, visuals and sounds to be first class. That there are no bad seats in the arena: you should be able to fully enjoy your game experience from wherever you sit. Another beautiful feature of Nokia Arena is its location right in the centre of Tampere - you’ll enter and exit the venue in the middle of the city centre, right next to the national railway station and the local transport hubs," concludes Mr Rumpunen.