Sport in Helsinki

[1] Helsinki hosts fairly successful local teams in both of the most popular team-sports in Finland, football and ice hockey.

The later being a sport of passion for many Helsinkians, who usually take a stance for either of the local clubs HIFK or Jokerit.

The strong culture of ice hockey has led to Helsinki becoming the birthplace of many legendary National Hockey League stars such as Teemu Selänne, Jari Kurri and Esa Tikkanen.

Helsinki was elected host-city of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but due to World War II they were canceled.

Naisten kymppi is an annual running or walking event for women, held in Helsinki at the end of May.