The renewed Helsinki International Horse Show returns to Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre – with the new Messukeskus Arena to be used for a sporting event for the first time
First held at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre 40 years ago, Helsinki International Horse Show will return to the Centre in February 2026, entering a new phase. The event will undergo significant updates and is stepping into the ranks of major international equestrian events. The venue itself will also be renewed, as the new Messukeskus Arena is set to host a sporting event for the first time. Finland’s largest indoor arena event will take place at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre from 26 February to 1 March 2026.
With its new venue, Helsinki International Horse Show is moving into a new future – into a 2.0 world. In the past, the Horse Show has been a very sports-oriented event. Now, it has been developed into a full family event, a mix of top-level sport, diverse program and a unique atmosphere.
”It will be a true equestrian event, with much more to see and experience than before with more programs and attractions. The international segment will be more substantial than ever, now from Thursday morning through to Sunday evening. We also want to reach a new audience and become one of the biggest events in Finland,” says Valtteri Gundersby, the event’s Managing Director.
The four-day event will culminate in a leg of the Show Jumping World Cup series, where the world’s best riders and magnificent horses compete in front of a large audience. The event is expected to host 450 horses, with a total of €530 000 in prize money at stake.
”We have developed a clear idea of what works best in Finland and refined our understanding of who the Horse Show visitor is. Our vision is to grow into the world’s best equestrian competition and Finland’s largest annual sporting event,” says Gundersby.
In addition to the competition arenas, the event area will feature a hobby horse arena with competitions and opportunities for the public to try the sport. Pony rides will also be available.
Messukeskus Arena to be used for a sporting event for the first time
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre makes it possible to arrange the event entirely under one roof. For the competition, two full-size competition arenas will be built, and at the same time, the new Messukeskus Arena with movable seating for 7,500 spectators will be used for a sporting event for the first time.
”We are extremely pleased to be working with Helsinki International Horse Show. The return of the event to Pasila also opens a new chapter in the history of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, as our new Messukeskus Arena will be seen in use for a sporting event for the first time. This is an investment of €6 million, which enhances Helsinki’s range of event venues with arena-type facilities,” says Anni Vepsäläinen, CEO of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
5,000 tickets donated to low-income families with children
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre and the City of Helsinki are taking part in a charity initiative that will enable 5,000 low-income families with children to attend Helsinki International Horse Show. Thanks to the ticket campaign, families with children in the Helsinki area will be able to enjoy unforgettable experiences and take part in the event’s activities.
Ticket sales for Helsinki International Horse Show begin today via Ticketmaster. In November, a more affordable expo ticket will also go on sale, allowing those interested in horses and equestrian sports to explore the event.
More information:
Marcus Bergström, Director, Events & Congresses, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, tel. +358 44 562 4524, marcus.bergstrom@messukeskus.com
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre is Finland’s largest event organiser, which produces high-quality events and rents out its facilities and services as venues for various events.
The Finnish Fair Group includes, in addition to Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, the trade fair organiser Expomark Oy and the AV technology company SVV Oy. In 2024, the group’s revenue was 58.4 million euros, the economic impact of the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre on its surrounding area was 245 million euros, and its employment impact was 3,335 person-years. I Messukeskus. The real social media. I messukeskus.com I @messukeskus
