The Finnish Olympic Committee warmly welcomes the government’s decisions on physical activity and sports made during the budget negotiations. These decisions will strengthen the development of sports facilities, encourage Finns to be physically active, support efforts to attract international sports events to Finland, and safeguard important health-promoting work. 

Significant additional investment to reduce the repair backlog for sports facilities 

One particularly important decision is to restore the subsidy level for the construction of sports facilities to 30 million euros next year. The additional funding, totaling 15 million euros, will help reduce the growing repair backlog for sports facilities and enable necessary investments across Finland. 

– Sports facilities form the foundation of physical activity and sport in Finland. The increase in the repair backlog is widely recognised, which is why this additional investment is very important for both participants and high-performance sport. This decision benefits Finns of all ages, says Petri Keskitalo, Deputy Executive Director of the Olympic Committee. 

The Olympic Committee also welcomes the increase in the maximum amount for the physical activity and culture voucher starting in 2026. The decision strengthens employers’ ability to support their employees’ well-being and encourages more Finns to be physically active. 

A long-term effort to attract sports events to Finland 

The provision on promoting a systematic approach to applying to host sports events is an important step forward. The government’s goal is to move from sporadically applying to host individual events to a coordinated, long-term, and impactful portfolio of major events. 

– Finland is well equipped to host international sports championships. A long-term events policy strengthens Finland’s international visibility, increases revenue from tourism, and has positive effects on the business community and society as a whole, Keskitalo adds. 

The Olympic Committee also welcomes the government’s goal of exploring ways to improve safety in the stands at sports events in collaboration with sports clubs, event organisers and authorities. 

– Safe and enjoyable events are essential to the success and growth of Finnish sport. It is important that solutions be developed in close collaboration with event organizers, Keskitalo emphasizes.

In addition to the positive decisions, there is also cause for concern 

Overall, the Olympic Committee believes that the government’s budget negotiations have resulted in several decisions that are very positive for physical activity and sport. At the same time, however, it is important to also consider the potential indirect effects these decisions may have on day-to-day operations in physical activity and sport. 

Central government transfers municipalities will be reduced by 110 million euros. Since municipalities are the key actors in organizing physical activity services and maintaining sports facilities, these cuts may weaken some municipalities’ ability to invest in sports facilities or maintain physical activity services at their current level.