Ilves draws almost 10,000 spectators to the games, but Tappara is in trouble – we asked the club management why the difference is

Tampere is experiencing an all-time puck feud: both Ilves and Tappara are currently fighting for the final place in the Finnish Championship League in the new Tampere arena, and both teams got the Lion Shirt world champions in their ranks with the KHL transfers.

Despite these shuffles, Ilves has pulled the league’s best crowds into the arena.

lveks had an average of 9852 spectators in the four home games of the semi-finals (Ilves – Kärpät), while Tappara had an average of 6657 spectators in the three semi-finals of the Lukko series. In total, the arena can accommodate more than 13,000 spectators, while its predecessor Hakametsä Ice Rink accommodated about 7,300 spectators.

We asked the CEOs of both teams for their assessment of why Ilves ’matches seem more interesting to the audience.

There are many reasons for the huge number of viewers.

This is the opinion of Ilves-Hockey Oy’s CEO Risto Jalo. In addition to the sporting success that has been circulating in the recent past and the new arena, one reason for the attraction is the investment in marketing.

The club has received a lot of praise for doing something. However, Jalo reminds us that something purposeful has been done for several years.

– It has been something we want to improve even more. The future is always what makes us think and we want more supporters and a young crowd in the hall.

CEO of Tamhockey Oy Mika Aro lists the same things as Jalo as the secret to a competitor ‘s good hum: a new arena and well – played games without forgetting something. Tappara also invested more in marketing experts for this season, even though they also started making Finnish a long time ago.

– We want to adhere to basic killer values. In addition, we want to tell and show that this is not only great play, handsome goals and fighting on the field, but this is also about celebrating the audience and the great involvement of the supporters.

Tappara made history this spring with his ninth consecutive medal spot. The winning team is considered the best of the marketing gimmicks, but if winning continues for a long time, it can also become a challenge.

– It has brought about a side effect in the fact that the games are used to continue for a long time in the spring. However, the torsions are really smooth, you never know when the pickup will come.

The CEOs of the Tampere teams believe that both teams will have their own supporters.

– Yes, the number of audiences shows that there are solid supporters, Risto Jalo says.

According to Mika Aro, the teams compete not only in hockey but also in other activities. He thinks that the supporters of both Tappara and Ilves will be very proud to arrive to support their team in the Tampere arena.

– This good rumble in Tampere about the puck is raining for both us and Ilves.

Although the new Tampere arena has brought more audiences to the games, the new home hall has also increased club spending.

According to Risto Jalo, the costs of organizing matches are 3–5 times higher than in Hakametsä. As a result, future goals have been set high.

– This level is not enough yet. Then when the average in the regular season is 10 thousand, then it may not have been quite successful, Jalo says.

Ilves’ CEO says that despite strict interest rate restrictions, this period will be an all-time turnover.

– In May, we’ll see what’s left of the game this year.

Mika Aro says that Tappara achieved its goal in euros in the regular season. He also says spring will show what the outcome will ultimately be.

– I dare to anticipate that there will be a positive result this year, 800,000 losses were made last year.

The World Hockey Championships, which will start next month, will also be around the corner, with Tampere Arena as the main venue.

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