NOKIA ARENA Tampere Studio

Getting there is straightforward whether you come by train, tram or bus. The arena sits above the railway tracks near the station, and many buses and tram line 3 stop nearby in the Sorin Aukio area. Services at the venue are plentiful and good. It’s a large, modern event space that also works as a concert hall. During hockey season, it becomes the country’s second-largest ice hockey rink and home to the two local teams in the Finnish Elite League.

My first visit was for the Tappara vs Ilves ice hockey match. I’d been invited to watch, and the whole experience went smoothly. The match and supporters were good, there was no conflict, and the staff did well too. I even found a place to pray, so watching the game and taking time to pray wasn’t a problem.

The atmosphere is great for events, and the seating is good. I also had an excellent meal and service at Stefan’s restaurant, which I’ll review separately. The venue works well for concerts, hockey and other events, and the amenities are convenient. The TV screen was just OK and badly needs replacing. Between the screen and sound quality, I felt like I’d gone back in time. The corridors fill up fast and get packed, shoulder to shoulder. I did one lap during one of the two events I attended because I wanted to see the place, but getting through the crowd felt like a struggle. The seating layout is a bit odd too. Coming up from a restaurant downstairs, I had to bother a lot of people in other sections to reach my seat. I think drinks aren’t allowed in the seats, which might be for the best since most Finnish men seemed very drunk. Hockey in Finland didn’t feel like a family outing to me, unlike in the US. It seemed more like groups of men meeting up to drink as much as they could. Even so, I had a good experience overall.

Metal water bottles aren’t allowed inside. You can either throw yours away or leave it at the gate for 3.50 euros.