Hanne Nyrönen has been working with the Finnish Floorball Federation for 15 years and serves as the Event Director responsible for the operational delivery and organisation of the upcoming World Floorball Championships.

Her event management experience spans more than a decade and includes major international tournaments such as the Men’s World Floorball Championships in Helsinki in 2021 and the Women’s U19 World Floorball Championships in Lahti in 2024.

Nyrönen also has first-hand experience of the sport itself, having played floorball as a goalkeeper at league level.

– I feel that ending up working for the federation happened somewhat by chance.

Organising major sporting events may be demanding and fast-paced, but for Nyrönen the work offers far more than pressure and deadlines. The greatest part of the job, she says, is the people.

– I get to meet and work with so many different kinds of people. I also enjoy being one equal member of a much bigger team.

As proof of that mindset, Nyrönen is wearing exactly the same T-shirt as the hundred volunteers working around her.

What major event would you still dream of organising?

– The Eurovision Song Contest! I had already checked my calendar just in case Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen had brought Eurovision victory back to Finland.

The Finland–Czech Republic international matches at Kauppi Sports Center in Tampere and Eerikkilä Sports Institute have served as an excellent warm-up for December’s home World Championships. Kauppi Sports Center will be one of the tournament venues alongside Hakametsä Ice Hall and Nokia Arena.

When Finland won the floorball world title in Malmö in 2024, there were no international tournaments scheduled to be played in Finland before the upcoming home championships.

– We started discussions between different countries and Czech Republic expressed interest, Nyrönen explains.

Delivering a major event smoothly places high demands on the venue.

– Kauppi Sports Center has proven to be a good and functional venue, and we haven’t encountered any major surprises, Nyrönen says with satisfaction.

The home WFC will require around 450 volunteers, and operating across multiple venues creates additional logistical demands.

– Exceptionally, construction work will also continue during the tournament as operations move to Nokia Arena. However, Kauppi’s facilities will not be dismantled during the event — the venue will remain in use as a practice hall until the very end, Nyrönen clarifies.

The WFC in Tampere will mark the first time floorball is played at Nokia Arena. A truly unique event atmosphere awaits both players and spectators. The final weekend is already filling up quickly, so those planning to attend should secure their place early.

During this interview at the Finland–Czech Republic match in Kauppi, Nyrönen’s phone rings several times with questions about fixing a microphone and coordinating mascot activities during intermissions. But that is simply part of life in event operations. Despite the constant activity, there is no sign of stress or concern.

A well-oiled machine runs on meticulous planning and strong cooperation between professionals and volunteers.

– Our most important customers are the players, spectators and volunteers. Volunteer work is becoming a scarce resource, but in Finland we still have strong traditions and better starting points than in many other countries.

Additional volunteer recruitment will open in early autumn, so there is still time to join. No previous experience is required — enthusiasm and a positive attitude are what matter.

– I definitely encourage people to get involved if they are even slightly interested. You learn by doing, and everyone has some valuable skill they can contribute.

World Floorball Championships, Tampere
5–13 December 2026

Tickets: Lippu.fi