Espoo Metro Areena
Espoo Metro Areena is a modern multi-purpose indoor arena located at Urheilupuistontie 3 in the Tapiola district of Espoo, Finland, within the Helsinki metropolitan area and as part of the Tapiolan Urheilupuisto sports complex.[1] Inaugurated in 1999, it serves primarily as a venue for ice hockey, basketball, concerts, and other events, with a seating capacity of 7,182 for ice hockey games and up to 7,500 for concerts.[1] The arena features flexible configurations, including over 200 restaurant table seats with unobstructed views, and underwent a significant upgrade in 2024 with the installation of a 135 m² media screen to enhance spectator experience.[2] Formerly known as LänsiAuto Areena (1999–2009) and Barona Areena (2009–2015), the venue has been named Espoo Metro Areena since 2015. It was acquired by a new Finnish investor group on May 12, 2025, focusing on revitalization.[3] It has hosted major international events, including the IIHF Women's World Championship in 1999 and 2019, and serves as the home base for the Finnish national basketball team as well as local clubs like Kiekko-Espoo in ice hockey.[4] Renovations began on October 20, 2025, aimed at improving facilities while maintaining operations for ongoing events.[5] The arena emphasizes sustainability, holding Ekokompassi certification for environmental responsibility and participating as a pilot site in WWF's initiative for responsible sports and events, covering aspects like ecological impact, social responsibility, and good governance.[3] Notable past performances include international acts such as Cirque du Soleil's Crystal and Kylie Minogue, underscoring its role as a key cultural and sporting hub in the region.[1]History
Construction and opening
The construction of what would become Espoo Metro Areena—initially named LänsiAuto Areena—was part of efforts to develop modern sports facilities in Espoo's suburbs during the late 1990s, addressing the need for a dedicated venue for professional teams in the Helsinki region. Planning for the project began in the mid-1990s, integrated into the broader Tapiola Sports Park as a key component to support emerging ice hockey and multi-purpose events. Construction commenced in 1998 under the ownership of Espoo Halli Oy, affiliated with Kiekko-Espoo Liiga ry, with the arena designed for versatility in hosting ice sports alongside concerts and other gatherings. The architectural firm Matti Savolainen Oy behind the design emphasized functional adaptability for ice rinks and event spaces. The project was financed mainly through private sources, including sales of 30 million Finnish markkaa (approximately €5 million) from luxury boxes—all of which were sold or reserved by late 1998—and 10 million markkaa from club seating, supplemented by loans totaling over 20 million markkaa from local financial institutions to cover building costs estimated in the range of 100 million markkaa overall (equivalent to roughly €17 million). An additional 10 million markka loan was secured in December 1998 to ensure completion, highlighting the reliance on private investment from local businesses rather than public funding. The arena was officially inaugurated on January 28, 1999, with its first event being an ice hockey match in the SM-liiga between the home team Espoo Blues and HIFK, which ended in a 1–3 victory for HIFK; Blues' Jere Karalahti scored the arena's inaugural goal during the first period on a power play assisted by Brian Rafalski. This opening served to establish the venue as the primary home for Espoo Blues, filling a gap in suburban Helsinki's modern sports infrastructure and enabling professional-level competitions previously limited by outdated facilities.Name changes and ownership
The arena opened in 1999 under the name LänsiAuto Areena, sponsored by the local automotive group LänsiAuto through a multi-year naming rights deal that helped establish its early commercial viability.[6] This sponsorship lasted until January 2009, when the name changed to Barona Areena following a new agreement with Barona Group, a Finnish employment services company, reflecting the venue's strategy to align with evolving corporate partners for branding and revenue.[7][6] On 7 October 2015, the arena adopted its current name, Espoo Metro Areena, as the Barona sponsorship concluded, shifting toward a neutral, location-based identity tied to Espoo's public transportation system to broaden appeal beyond corporate ties.[7][8] Each name change was linked to multi-year sponsorship contracts that influenced the venue's marketing and operational branding, adapting to market dynamics in Finland's sports and entertainment sector.[6] Ownership of the arena has been held by Tapiolan Monitoimiareena Oy, a private consortium formed to manage the facility since its inception.[9] On 12 May 2025, the entire voting share capital of the entity was acquired by a Finnish investor group, marking a transition to new domestic control aimed at sustaining the arena's role in regional events.[10]Facilities
Design and capacity
Espoo Metro Areena is a multi-purpose indoor arena designed primarily for ice hockey and other winter sports, featuring a standard ice rink configuration that supports international competitions. The venue incorporates flexible, modular seating systems that facilitate rapid reconfiguration from sports events to concert stages, optimizing space within the broader Tapiola Sports Park complex. In 2024, a 135 m² media screen was installed to enhance the spectator experience.[2] Renovations to improve facilities began on October 20, 2025, while maintaining operations for ongoing events.[3] The arena accommodates 7,182 spectators for ice hockey matches, distributed across lower and upper stands as well as suites and accessible seating areas. For concerts and larger events, capacity increases to 7,500 by incorporating standing room on the floor. This breakdown enables efficient crowd management while maintaining sightlines and comfort.[1]| Configuration | Total Capacity | Key Components |
|---|---|---|
| Ice Hockey | 7,182 | Lower stands: 3,089; Upper stands: 2,831; Suites and accessible: remaining |
| Concerts | 7,500 | Includes floor standing areas |