Finland already planning next year’s Eurovision as Helsinki and Tampere vie for host role

Finland’s strong chances in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest have prompted Helsinki and Tampere to begin preparations for potentially hosting the 2027 competition, public broadcaster Yle reports.

With Finnish entry Liekinheitin by Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen among the bookmakers’ favourites, both cities are positioning themselves as potential hosts. Helsinki cites its experience from 2007, when Lordi’s victory brought tens of thousands of visitors, while Tampere highlights its new arena and community-driven approach.

“We believe and hope for Finland’s success,” said Liisa Kivelä, Helsinki’s communications director. If Finland wins, the capital is ready to discuss hosting, with security plans already in place for potential victory celebrations around the Havis Amanda statue. The city’s arena, operated by Live Nation, could serve as a venue, though scheduling remains uncertain.

Tampere, meanwhile, argues its compact size and collaborative spirit make it an ideal host. “We have Finland’s newest arena, with technology that meets Eurovision’s current needs,” said event director Perttu Pesä. The city has studied past hosts like Sweden, which rotates between Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö, and believes its hotel capacity—supplemented by Airbnb—and experience with Finland’s UMK preselection (held three times in Tampere) strengthen its bid.

“The circus requires a lot of space—it’s not just three broadcasts, but a whole ecosystem,” Pesä noted, adding that economic and reputational benefits would be significant. Arena CEO Marko Hurme confirmed Tampere’s readiness: “If this nationally important event came our way, we’d do everything to make it happen.”

Yle, Finland’s national broadcaster and Eurovision member, would ultimately decide the host city. For now, its focus remains on Finland’s performance in this year’s contest in Vienna.