The World Championship medals in Kuopio will be decided near the city center
Forest next to the arena
The World Championship arenas are located right on the edge of the city center. Their location is quite unique, considering these are competitions for forest orienteering. Thanks to the wise decisions of the city of Kuopio (founded in 1775), challenging orienteering terrain still exists in the immediate vicinity of the city center. Challenging orienteering tasks continue all the way to the end of the course, just like in the World Cup final.
World Championship Middle Distance Qualification
No medals are awarded in the middle distance qualifier, only spots in the final. The qualification takes place at Tahko in the surroundings of the ski resort. Athletes can expect physically and technically demanding terrain. The arena is located on the shore of Tahko Bay.
World Championship Middle Distance and Long Distance
The new sand-based artificial turf at the Neulaniemi arena was completed in 2020. The arena is surrounded by the Neulamäki residential area, and directly southwest of the arena begins a forested area with old-growth trees. Logging has not been conducted in the area for decades, except for the former military zones in the southernmost parts.
World Championship Relay
The relay’s central venue is the Puijo Ski Stadium. The finish line is less than 2.5 km away from the city square as the crow flies, making it one of the closest relays ever decided near a city center. At Puijo, old-growth forest begins right next to the arena, ensuring excitement all the way to the final meters.
A Unique Atmosphere at the Arenas
Where were you when…? This question is asked from time to time to each of us. So, let’s ask now— were you there when the stands at the arena swayed with the crowd’s cheers as your favourite orienteer crossed the finish line and won the World Championship? It was a celebration!
In Kuopio, thrilling experiences await at the World Orienteering Championships. It’s truly special to be there in person when the championship medal is decided by just a few seconds. That’s an atmosphere you can’t capture on television—being there to cheer for an orienteer as they perform at their peak. You can even gather a fan group to support a specific orienteer.
Participants in the Orienteering Week will be able to join the atmosphere at the arena with their bib numbers!
Image: View from the Puijo Tower, Vicente Serra, Kuopio City
