The European Volleyball Championships will lead to changes to traffic arrangements
The 2026 European Volleyball Championships will be held at Nokia Arena in Tampere. Large crowds are expected for some of the matches, so to ensure a smooth and safe event, some changes to traffic arrangements will be made in the areas surrounding the arena, as well as in the Ratina and Kyttälä neighborhoods.
On Saturday, 12 September, and Sunday, 13 September, traffic in the arena area will be restricted for approximately one hour after Finland’s matches end to ensure the safe dispersal of the crowd. Since it is difficult to estimate the duration of the volleyball matches in advance, it is advisable to avoid traveling in the area at least between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.
While the area around Nokia Arena is closed to traffic, certain public transit routes serving Sori Square will follow alternate routes. The detour routes for public transportation during the road closures will be in effect on Saturday, 12 September, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday, 13 September, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. More detailed information about the detour routes at Sori Square is available on the Nysse website.
If necessary, the police or emergency services may also order road closures at other times during the event.
In addition, several events will be held in Tampere on Thursday, 10 September, which will increase public transit use, particularly in the afternoon and evening. These events will also increase traffic in the downtown area, which may slow down public transportation and extend travel times. Public transportation users should be prepared for possible congestion and allow sufficient time for their trips.
The road closure restricts traffic
When approaching from the Ratina direction, traffic will be restricted at the intersection of Vuolteenkatu and Hatanpään valtatie such that motor vehicle access from Tampereen valtatie or Hatanpään valtatie via Vuolteenkatu to Sorinsilta, Kalevantie, Rautatienkatu and Sorinkatu will be closed. Rautatienkatu can be accessed via either Suvantokatu or Verkatehtaankatu.
Rautatienkatu will be closed to the south of Suvantokatu, meaning that motor vehicle access to Hatanpään valtatie will be possible via Otavalankatu and Aleksanterinkatu.
When approaching from the direction of the university, motor vehicles are prohibited from driving onto Vuolteenkatu, Sorinkatu and Rautatienkatu. Traffic on Kalevantie will be diverted via Kanslerinrinne to Ratapihankatu. When driving along Kanslerinrinne from the direction of Ratapihankatu, turning is only permitted towards Kaleva.
On Sorinkatu, the use of motor vehicles will be restricted from the Tampereen highway junction onwards. Access for residents and service vehicles, as well as access to property courtyards, parking spaces and the arena’s multi-storey car park, is permitted.
A separate area is designated for taxis carrying wheelchair-using spectators near the Sorinkatu lift access point for dropping off and picking up passengers. There is a limited number of parking spaces for people with reduced mobility on Sorinkatu.
The arena area is best accessed on foot.
Changes at the intersection of Hatanpään and Tampereen highway
Traffic lights at the intersection of Hatanpään valtatie and Tampereen valtatie will be switched on during the night between Thursday and Friday, 10–11 September, and the intersection will become a four-way roundabout. At the same time, Jokikatu will be opened as a one-way street from the direction of Viinikka towards the south, i.e. Hatanpää.
When approaching Tampereen valtatie from the direction of Hämeenpuisto, it is not possible to turn left onto Hatanpään valtatie heading north – i.e. towards the bus station – but you must instead drive via Vuolteenkatu before the intersection with Hatanpään valtatie. When travelling along Tampereen valtatie from the direction of Viinikka, it is not possible to turn left onto Hatanpään valtatie heading south; instead, you must travel via Jokikatu.
The bus stop at the railway station will be relocated, and a European Championship ticket will be valid as a Nysse travel ticket.
On Rautatienkatu, in front of the hotel, bus stops for routes 11 (towards Killo), 13 (towards Lintuhytti) and 26 (towards Höytämö), as well as the bus stop used by long-distance services, have been moved to the next block, between Verkatehtaankatu and Otavalankatu. The bus stop area will be used by the event organisers for the duration of the Games. The stop will be in its temporary location until 18 September 2026. Further details on the diversion routes for public transport due to road closures at the Nokia Arena are available on the Nysse website.
A ticket for the European Volleyball Championships also serves as a Nysse event ticket. The event ticket combines a public transport ticket with an event admission ticket. No separate ticket is required; you can use your event ticket to travel on buses and Ratikka before and after the event. You must validate your ticket on the ticket machine at the start of each journey.
