TAMPERE - RATINA STADIUM - CAPACITY: 16,850 ALL SEATER
About the Ratina Stadium The Ratina stadium is the centre of all athletic activity in the whole region. It was built in 1965, and has been virtually unchanged since then. The stadium has three sides uncovered, with the end stands curving around behind the goals. The main stand is a covered single tier affair and offers some respite from the driving wind and rain that often characterises the Finnish season. The unique feature of the stadium is the floodlights, which tower over the stadium.
Who plays there? The stadium is home to Tampere United – one of the longest serving teams in the Finnish top division – the Veikkausliiga. They were formed as recently as 1998 through a merger of local teams FC Ilves and TPV. Consequently their history and achievements are a bit thin on the ground. They won promotion to the top division in their first season in the league in 1999, and finished in 6th place in their debut term.
In 2001 they won their first Championship trophy, although their subsequent Champions League campaign ended in a 6-0 defeat in the opening qualifying round. They won the championship in 2006, and again last season beating off competition from HJK Helsinki. They also won their first ever Champions League tie, beating Murata 4-1 on aggregate in the First round. In the second round the odds were stacked against them when they were drawn against Levski Sofia but the Finns surprised everyone by winning 1-0 home and away. With a place in the Champions League Group Stages beckoning, the club couldn’t overcome a resurgent Rosenborg team and went out 5-0. However, they have the opportunity to try and go one stage further in 2007/08 when they will take their place in the Qualifying Rounds again.
How to get there The stadium is centrally located, just to the south of the city centre and no more than a 5 minute walk away, and on the shore of the lake. It is located adjacent to the central bus station.
Go to Footiempa.com to get a better overview of football in Tampere at their excellent website.
Getting a ticket With average gates struggling to make it past the 7,000 mark on all but the games versus HJK Helsinki, you will have no problems buying a ticket on the day of the game. When the national team are playing in town tickets are sold in advance from the stadium, or online from the Finnish Football Federation website. Average ticket prices for a Finnish league game start from €10.
Getting around Tampere city centre is small enough to be covered on foot, although buses run to all suburbs of the town. Most buses run through Hämeenkatu in the city centre, and stop in the central square. Single tickets cost €2, and a Tampere Tourist Card which costs €6 gives you unlimited travel and can be purchased from the Tourist Information office as well as the main train station.
Located 12 miles south west of the town centre, Tampere is the second biggest and busiest airport in the country. The Airport is linked to the town by a dedicated bus service that runs every 90 minutes. Alternatively, taxis are plentiful and cost €15. Tampere is served on a daily basis by Ryanair from London Stansted and Liverpool John Lennon, as well as from Heathrow with British Airways.
If you are flying in from Helsinki Vantaa Airport, then there is an hourly Express bus service to Tampere operated by Panu which departs from platform 13 at the airport. A return ticket costs €40.
About the Ratina Stadium