The People´s Lions exhibition brings the memorable stories, people and phenomena of Finnish ice hockey to life in the heart of the iconic Helsinki Olympic Stadium. Ice hockey – and the Finnish national team, known as the Lions – has united Finns across generations for decades. Hockey holds a uniquely powerful place in the hearts of the Finnish people. The exhibition presents a diverse selection of stories about the Lions ranging from moments of success and celebration to everyday work taking place behind the scenes.
Created in collaboration between TAHTO and the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the many facets of Finnish national team ice hockey – from gleaming gold medals and wooden hockey sticks to the atmosphere of the Pohjola training camps and the pop songs that have become part of the hockey experience. Alongside everyday objects and personal stories, the TAHTO gallery features the 2019 World Championship trophy, Olympic medals won by the Finnish men’s and women’s national teams, and Riikka Sallinen’s Hockey Hall of Fame ring. Sallinen was the third Finn to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, following Jari Kurri and Teemu Selänne.
In addition to objects from the TAHTO collections, The People´s Lions features items from the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in Tampere, as well as numerous objects on loan from former and current Finnish national team players. There is plenty to discover for younger visitors, too. The stories of yesterday’s heroes may become a young visitor’s first memorable encounter with the world of ice hockey.
At the exhibition and through TAHTO’s communications channels, visitors can become part of the Lions’ story. We invite everyone to reminisce and share their own blue-and-white ice hockey memories.
The exhibition is also made possible with the support of our partners, Vierumäki and Kuusakoski.
The People´s Lions exhibition is on display at TAHTO from 9 October 2026 to 29 August 2027.
