Kalevan kisat draw crowds as Jyväskylä’s renovated stadium opens

The main grandstand for the Kalevan kisat athletics championships in Jyväskylä is already sold out for Saturday, reports Yle.

The Finnish national athletics championships will take place at the newly renovated Harju Stadium on 24–26 July. Event secretary general Oskari Eskola said half of the tickets have been sold since sales opened last October and November.

“People tend to buy tickets at the last minute these days, so we’re extremely pleased with this early interest,” Eskola said. While the main grandstand is fully booked for Saturday—the traditionally busiest day—other sections still have availability.

Up to 20,000 spectators are expected over the weekend, with the stadium’s seating capacity at 15,000. The 100-year-old Harju Stadium has undergone a full renovation in honour of its centennial and reopened this week.

Eskola believes the upgraded facilities will boost attendance: “We expect the stadium to fill up.” Preparations for the event are now in full swing. This will be the seventh time Jyväskylä has hosted the Kalevan kisat.