NATIONAL MOVEMENT DAYS INSPIRE FINNS TO BE ACTIVE YEAR-ROUND

A new nationwide series of sports events is being established in Finland as theme days and weeks organized by sports federations and organizations unite to form the National Movement Days. The goal is to inspire Finns of all ages to get moving by lowering the threshold for participation and bringing events close to people’s everyday lives throughout Finland.

Participating initiatives include the National Swimming Skills Week, National Running Day, National Skiing Day, Ice Sports Days, and Invite a Friend to Fitness Trails Week, which sports federations and organizations have previously organized as sport-specific theme days and weeks.

National Movement Days are based on sports that are familiar and easily accessible to many Finns. They offer low-threshold opportunities to try, participate, and find one’s own way to be active—alone, together, or through club activities. The Movement Days are distributed throughout the year and serve as celebrations of these sports, highlighting year-round activities and attracting new participants. These are not isolated events, but part of a broader initiative that supports Finns’ everyday physical activity.

National Movement Days are organized jointly by the Finnish Ski Association, Finnish Ice Hockey Association, Finnish Bandy Association, Finnish Rinkball Association, Suomen Latu, Finnish Skating Association, Finnish Ringette Association, Finnish Orienteering Federation, Finnish Figure Skating Association, Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation, Finnish Sports Federation, and Finnish Swimming Association. A broad nationwide network of clubs organizes events across Finland.

Participants can join events in their local area without commitment or prior experience. When physical activity is nearby and easily accessible, taking the first step becomes easier. In 2026 and 2027, Finns will have the opportunity to participate in nearly 1,000 events.

“When opportunities are offered throughout the year, more and more people will find a suitable way to be active”

– National Movement Days bring together sports that hold a strong position in Finnish sports culture. Together, we can reach people more broadly and inspire them to get moving in different parts of Finland. When opportunities are offered throughout the year, more and more people will find a suitable way to be active, says Harri Aalto, CEO of the Finnish Sports Federation.

National Movement Days are funded through the government program Finland on the Move, which aims to increase physical activity in every age group. The program is coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Culture. Funding has been secured for the years 2026 and 2027.

– National Movement Days bring physical activity close to people and offer an excellent way for people of all ages to get moving, find a sports hobby, learn something new, or simply enjoy physical activity in pleasant company. It is wonderful that the federations are participating in strengthening an active lifestyle. Increasing physical activity requires cooperation and concrete opportunities in everyday life, states Tiina Kivisaari, Director at the Ministry of Education and Culture.

National Movement Days launched in January with Ice Sports Days and will continue on Saturday, February 21, with National Skiing Day in various locations across the country. Throughout the year, the event series will offer opportunities for both first-timers and active participants. The goal is to make physical activity a visible and natural part of Finns’ everyday lives.

National Movement Days 2026

Ice Sports Days January 25, 2026 and February 13, 2026
National Skiing Day February 21, 2026
National Swimming Skills Week May 11–17, 2026
National Running Day May 16, 2026
Invite a Friend to Fitness Trails May 16–24, 2026

The event calendar for National Movement Days 2027 will be published later.