Tampere to host a major sports event in summer 2023

Tampere will become the center stage for international elite sports in 2023 when European Masters Games is organised for the first time in Finland. The fifth EMG will take place 26.6.-9.7.2023 with athletes competing for masters championships in 29 sports. The European Masters Games gives athletes the chance to compete in their favourite sports and get to meet likeminded sportspeople.

The EMG is a true sports jamboree highlighting passion for sports and friendship, striving to inspire people to be a part of the global sports and wellness community. The EMG offers athletes a chance to compete either at professional or amateur level. The EMG concept is owned by International Masters Games

Association (IMGA) while the organiser of the Tampere event is the City of Tampere. The Chairman of Local Committee is the event manager of the City of Tampere, Perttu Pesä.

– The European Masters Games is a major international sports event that will take over the whole city of Tampere next summer. In addition to sports, the event will bring thousands of tourists to enjoy the sights and services in Tampere for over two weeks. This will have a substantial effect on the city’s vitality and finances. We are very fortunate to get to enjoy another international sports festival in Tampere again next year, says Pesä.

7500 masters athletes and their supporters from all over the world are expected to arrive in Tampere next summer. The city is creating a unique sports environment for them in strong cooperation with more than 30 of the city’s sports clubs. The City of Tampere and the clubs are working hard to carry out the two weeks and numerous events of sporting at a professional level.

– Our city’s clubs will really get to showcase their expertise in executing major international events with all the various disciplines and categories involved. We are lucky that the people in Tampere actively participate in club operations. All their help is critical for us to be able to carry out these major events at a top-notch level.

One of the goals the City of Tampere has as the event organiser is to gain financial support for the sports clubs in the city and most of all to develop the sports environment in Tampere by way of the EMG.

The first European Masters Games was held in Malmö, Sweden in 2008. The event has been growing more and more popular since, as older age groups have taken to healthy lifestyle and various physical activities. The EMG is for masters athletes both at professional and amateur levels, and in previous events audiences have enjoyed watching even former olympic medalists competing.

*IMGA (The International Masters Games Association), the umbrella organisation of the Masters -events, brings fun, but goal-oriented international sports events to masters athletes in iconic sports destinations all over the world. World Masters Games, Winter World Masters Games, European Masters Games, Pan-American Masters Games and Asia-Pacific Masters Games are high-quality competitions, where in addition to sports,the participants also get to experience different cultures around the world. IMGA is an IOC recognised non-profit organisation.