Helsinki and Tampere signal interest in hosting Eurovision 2027 as Finnish favorites Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen lead the 2026 betting odds.
Eurovision 2026 has yet to begin, but preparations for the following year’s competition are already underway. Two Finnish cities, representing one of the nations currently favored to win, have begun intensive preparations to host Eurovision 2027. Betting tables suggest that – barring any major surprises – Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen are poised to lift the trophy at the Grand Final on May 16th. A victory would bring the competition to Finland in 2027, exactly 20 years after the country last hosted the event. Consequently, two major Finnish cities have already started planning for this potential scenario.
Helsinki: “We are ready, even the statues are protected”
Due to the high probability of a Finnish victory, Helsinki, the capital of Finland, and Tampere, the country’s third-largest city, have expressed formal interest in hosting. The Helsinki municipality has left no room for doubt, clarifying that the capital is the natural destination for the event. Beyond established infrastructure, city officials are already considering security and victory celebrations.
Liisa Kivelä, Communications Director for the city of Helsinki, addressed the preparations with a mix of humor and serious intent:
“We believe and hope for Finland’s success. If Finland reaches the final, we will prepare for possible victory celebrations with security and traditional protective barriers, so that in moments of joy, the revelers remain safe and the ‘Havis Amanda’ statue (a cherished piece of Helsinki history) – will not be damaged… Eurovision in Helsinki in 2007 brought tens of thousands of visitors from the country and the world. We have a great city, and the framework for organizing large-scale events is already in place.”
A potential venue for the competition in Helsinki is the Helsinki Arena. However, it is important to clarify that current discussions with the operator, Mirkka Rautala of Live Nation, are only in preliminary stages. Helsinki has prior experience, having hosted Eurovision 2007 at the Hartwall Arena.
Tampere: “We will do everything to make it happen”
Facing the capital is Finland’s other major contender, Tampere. The city takes pride in the Tampere Arena, which is considered the most technologically advanced venue in Finland and has successfully hosted the Finnish national selection, “UMK”.
Perttu Pesä, the Director of Events in Tampere, admitted:
“It cannot be denied that the subject has come up in casual conversations over a cup of coffee… Currently, we have the newest arena in Finland, with technology that meets the requirements of today’s Eurovision.”
Tampere officials emphasize the “compact” nature of the city, which allows for an intimate and vibrant Eurovision atmosphere throughout the streets. The arena’s CEO, Marko Hurme, emphasized that despite a busy schedule, the city would show flexibility: “There is no immediate availability, but if such a nationally significant event arrives, we will do everything to make it happen in Tampere.”
The Finnish national broadcaster, Yle, is attempting to maintain a sense of restraint. Johanna Törn-Mangs, Director of Culture and Arts at Yle, stated:
“Currently, all our focus is on the upcoming Eurovision in Vienna. We promise a strong performance, and after that, we will turn our attention to the future.”
It remains to be seen whether the early planning by these two cities will give them an advantage in the race to host Eurovision 2027, or if the celebrations will conclude earlier than expected. Currently, betting odds give the Finnish entry “Liekinheitin” (in English: “Flamethrower”) a 31% chance of winning the 2026 contest.
Finland at Eurovision 2026:
“Liekinheitin” is the title of the song to be performed by Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen, who will represent Finland at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna during the first semi-final on May 12th. The entry was written and composed by the duo together with Vilma Alina, who wrote the song “Sun Sumero” that competed in “UMK 2022”, Antti Riihimäki, and Lauri Halavaara, who already collaborated with them last year on the song “Alina”, which finished third in the 2025 Finnish national selection, and who also wrote “Takatukka”, another entry in this year’s Finnish selection. The song is performed in Finnish.
The song portrays a destructive and addictive relationship, defined by a constant struggle between rational thought and an uncontrollable impulse. In the lyrics, the singer presents the dilemma that the right and sensible choice would be to walk away, yet he finds himself trapped under the spell of the other person, whom he likens to a flamethrower: a powerful figure who burns him emotionally and physically at the same time. The song highlights the painful contrast between intimate nights and emotional distance in public, where his lover behaves as if she does not know him at all, creating a sense of humiliation mixed with intense attraction.
Currently, Finland is ranked 1st on the betting odds ahead of Eurovision 2026, with 31% winning chance!
Eurovision 2026: This will be Finland’s 59th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Finland joined the competition in 1961 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2006, winning the contest with Lordi and their song “Hard Rock Hallelujah”.
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Tal Dahan – Journalist, radio broadcaster, and Eurovision content creator.
Tal Dahan is an Israeli journalist and editor specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest, working with the EuroMix editorial team for four years. Since 2022, she has provided regular on-site coverage of Eurovision from the host city, and from 2023 has also reported directly from the press room—offering the Israeli audience live updates, exclusive interviews, and in-depth commentary.
Tal is a member of the Eurovision tribute and parody band “EuroFalsh,” a radio broadcaster, and a student of political science and communications.
She is considered one of Israel’s leading young Eurovision experts. In addition to covering the main contest, Tal has reported from Eurovision pre-parties and national selection events across Europe (in Thessaloniki, Stockholm, Madrid, and more), been interviewed by major media outlets in Israel and internationally, and presented Eurovision-themed podcasts and radio shows.
