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Helsinki Cup: Love the Ball Center and Opening Parade

Date
Tuesday, July 7
Time
09:00-21:00
Price
Free
Age
6-17 years

During Helsinki Cup week, families can drop by Love the Ball Center at Käpylä Sports Park. The event square has daily stage programming such as competitions, prize draws and games, plus a cafe and tournament shop. On Tuesday evening, the teams' opening parade goes from Narinkkatori via Mannerheimintie and Aleksanterinkatu to Senate Square, and family members and other spectators can watch along the route. The overall experience suits families who want to feel the atmosphere of a major junior football tournament without following individual fixtures.

Organizer
Helsinki Cup Oy

At a glance

Date
Tuesday, July 7
Time
09:00-21:00
Price
Free
Age
6-17 years
Languages
fi, en
Toilets
Partial
Stroller-friendly
Partial
Accessibility
Partial
Food available
Yes
Parking nearby
Partial
Travel estimate with HSL from my location
Accessibility
City sports-venue information says the dressing rooms, showers and toilets at Käpylä Sports Park are open during the sports park's opening hours, but event-specific accessibility, baby-care facilities and the exact event-square route were not confirmed. The sports park has paid parking and can also be reached by public transport or city bike. Street conditions, kerbs and crowd size along the opening-parade route may affect moving with a pram or mobility aid.

Plan your visit

Practical notes
Love the Ball Center is outdoors at Käpylä Sports Park. Be prepared for outdoor sports-park conditions, tournament crowds, weather and noise. Tuesday's opening parade is watched from the city-centre street route. Wednesday's Pepsi Max Summer Festival and the Olympic Stadium finals cost extra without a tournament pass.
Schedule notes
This compact listing includes the visitor-useful Love the Ball Center opening hours plus the opening parade and Wednesday Summer Festival. The Love the Ball Center stage programme usually runs from 10:00-18:00. The longer 7.7.2026 time includes the opening parade from Narinkkatori to Senate Square from 19:30-21:00. The longer 8.7.2026 time includes the Summer Festival, with doors at 17:30 and an approximate end at 21:15. On 11.7.2026 Love the Ball Center is closed; finals are played at the Olympic Stadium.
Booking notes
No advance registration is listed for the event square or for watching the opening parade. Summer Festival tickets are sold at the door and in advance from the tournament office if the visitor does not have a tournament pass.
Price notes
No entry fee is listed for visiting the Love the Ball Center event square or watching the opening parade. Wednesday's Pepsi Max Summer Festival is free with a tournament pass, otherwise EUR 15. Olympic Stadium final tickets are listed at EUR 8 and EUR 15; entry is free with a tournament pass.
Age notes
Helsinki Cup is a children's and youth football tournament. The event square and parade are open ways to follow the tournament atmosphere, but the long days, large crowds and noisy programme are likely to suit football-interested school-age children and teenagers best with their own adult.

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Upcoming dates

Tue, Jul 7

Love the Ball Center / Käpylän liikuntapuisto

Wed, Jul 8

Love the Ball Center / Käpylän liikuntapuisto

Thu, Jul 9

Love the Ball Center / Käpylän liikuntapuisto