THE STUDY'S KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:  
ECONOMIC   TOURISM
 
The event attracted over 270,000 visitors across the 12-day event, including 180,000 ticketed spectators. It delivered over €22 million of economic impact to Lahti and the surrounding regions.   60% of spectators came from outside the Lahti region and 12 per cent from overseas. Lack of hotel capacity in Lahti meant that a majority (57%) of these tourists stayed outside the Lahti region. Visitor spend was estimated at €18.8 million.
MEDIA    SOCIAL MEDIA
 
A total of 22 broadcasters televised Lahti 2017 across 18 territories, while Eurosport broadcast coverage in 71 countries. The event generated 236 million hours viewed, of which 85 per cent, 202 million hours, were live. A total of 1.5 million unique users visited the Lahti2017 website.    Over a three-month period Lahti2017 generated 2,616 posts, 628,773 likes and 27,638 new visitors, at an average of 228 per day. On Facebook it generated 364,106 likes with 120,805 during the competition. By the end of the event there were 5,973 Twitter and 12,193 Instagram followers. 
EVENT EXPERIENCE  SPONSORSHIP
 
Lahti2017 demonstrated that spectator experience was as important as the sporting performance. Sport is under increasing pressure to compete for people’s time and Lahti2017 showed how to engage them. 95 per cent of spectators rated Lahti as a positive experience.   There were 46 partners for Lahti2017: 13 sponsors, 18 suppliers and 15 institutional partners. Lahti2017 introduced a new sponsor category in institutional partners. Stora Enso had an active sustainability programme and the highest sponsorship recognition at 73 per cent, alongside national sponsor Luhta, with Audi, an international sponsor, at 71 per cent.
SPORTING   SOCIAL
 
A total of 663 competitors took part in Lahti2017 from 60 nations, the second highest number of nations ever. There were 884 team officials. Norway came first in the medals table, with 18 medals, while Finland came fifth, with five medals.    Lahti2017 developed one of the most advanced training programmes for 3,163 volunteers. An extensive schools programme engaged 29 schools, with over 15,000 children participating in the programme. The Finnish Ski Association won recognition for its Snow Kidz programme from FIS. 
ENVIRONMENTAL   LEGACY
 
One of the principal objectives of Lahti2017 was to be among the most environmentally-friendly championships ever. Sustainability was at the heart of the event. Lahti2017 was awarded the Eco Compass environmental certificate.   Lahti2017 achieved its short-term goal of engaging the whole of Finland in the Centenary Celebrations. Jukka-Pekka Vuori, President of the Finnish Ski Association, said that it put Finnish sport back in business and encouraged people to take up sport, in particular Nordic sports. 

 

Read the full press release here

For further information:   
Janne Leskinen   Mike Laflin
CEO Lahti2017      CEO Sportcal 
janne.leskinen@lahti2017.fi    mike.laflin@sportcal.com 
+358400300930    +447879812851