Helsinki Velodrome

Helsinki Velodrome (Finnish: Helsingin Velodromi) is an outdoor velodrome and american football stadium in Helsinki, Finland. The protected functionalist concrete building was designed by Hilding Ekelund.

History
It was built in 1938–1940 for the 1940 Summer Olympics which were cancelled due to World War II. After the war, it was a venue of the 1952 Summer Olympics for the track cycling and field hockey events. The Velodrome hosted the 4 track cycling events and the whole field hockey event for the olympics. The original building was deemed inadequate during the games and additional space was quickly erected to accommodate the athletes and press. Some temporary seating was also constructed for additional capacity.

Before the renovation of 1997-2000, the center area had a natural grass pitch and was used for soccer, hosting local teams like Ponnistus, Käpylän Pallo and Atlantis FC.

Docomomo has listed it as a significant example of modern architecture in Finland.

Cycling
The cycling track is 400 meters in length and is used for most national events. The banking in the bends is 37.5˚ and 16˚ on the straights. The length of the track and the lack of built safety measures make the track unsuitable for international cycling competitions.

Helsinki Velodrome also acts as a starting and ending point for the annual cyclosportive Tour de Helsinki.

American football
The Helsinki Velodrome is the home field of most american football teams in Helsinki, including the Vaahteraliiga teams Helsinki Roosters and Helsinki 69ers. The ground also caters to lacrosse and field hockey players.

In 2010 a training pitch designated primarily for american football was opened in the near vicinity of the Helsinki Velodrome, making the area an unofficial american football center of Helsinki.