UniSport (formerly University Sports) has been keeping students and city residents active since 1967. Much has changed since the early years—and continues to change: operations have expanded to multiple locations, and new sports and services are constantly being added. Our history includes everything from video-based “jytäjumppa” workouts and community runs in the city centre to dance performances on Aleksanterinkatu and judo at the legendary Domma. Queuing for classes and paper booking lists have gradually become a thing of the past. Times and places change, but the core mission remains the same: keeping university people moving.

Explore UniSport’s history decade by decade

1960s

Modern-day University Sports can be said to have been born in 1967, when the University of Helsinki hired Raimo Sarkama as its first physical education instructor to develop student sports services. Early resources were modest—Sarkama’s desk was a cardboard box—but the importance of the activities grew quickly, laying the foundation for campus sports in Finland.

At first, activities were centred in the Porthania gymnasium and Domus Academica facilities, with ball games, gymnastics, and basic fitness classes among the most popular options.

1970s

In the 1970s, University Sports made headlines with its innovative “jytäjumppa”—a 45-minute rhythmic exercise class powered by the hottest hits of the time instead of a tambourine. Coverage in Helsingin Sanomat turned it into a huge success and helped lay the foundation for Finnish aerobics culture.

At the same time, floorball was born. When bandy matches were cancelled due to poor ice conditions, Sarkama and his colleagues developed an indoor version based on Swedish “innebandy.” The Porthania floorball league is considered Finland’s first, and the sport quickly spread to other university cities.

In 1977, a sports centre was opened in the city centre (now Kluuvi), located on the K2 level. It included two squash courts, a ball game hall, and a small gym.

1980s

During the 1980s, University Sports expanded into a more diverse offering. The growing popularity of aerobics brought new dance-based classes to campuses, and towards the end of the decade, step aerobics and body conditioning classes were added.

The social aspect of exercise became increasingly important: group classes, themed activity days, friendly competitions, and shared student sports events became a regular part of university life. This decade laid the groundwork for the diversity that would later become a UniSport trademark.

1990s

By the early 1990s, University Sports was already a nationally recognised operator. Akateeminen Wartti, a playful relay race, grew into one of the most visible student sports traditions, traditionally featuring humorous elements and themed costumes.

At the same time, international fitness trends reached campuses. In particular, ethnic dance styles became popular and brought new diversity to group exercise. Floorball reached peak popularity mid-decade, with well over a hundred teams participating in the University of Helsinki leagues alone.

2000s

In the 2000s, alongside high-intensity exercise, students became increasingly interested in activities focusing on recovery and mental well-being. Yoga and Pilates became established parts of the offering, while gym training grew the fastest, becoming the single most popular service.

New centres and facilities were opened and renovated. For example, in 2002 an additional gym floor (K4) was added to the city centre facilities, the Kumpula Sports Centre with its climbing wall opened in 2003, and the Meilahti Sports Centre with tennis courts in 2008—bringing versatile services closer to daily campus life.

2010s

In 2011, University Sports became UniSport, as the founding of Aalto University enabled the integration of sports services from multiple universities under one shared brand. Later in the decade, Hanken also joined, strengthening UniSport’s position as the hub of university sports in the Helsinki metropolitan area.

New centres were opened and renovated, including upgrades to the Hesperiankatu facilities and the opening of an additional floor (K3) in Kluuvi in 2017.

During the 2010s, heart rate monitors, mobile apps, and smart technology transformed exercise habits. HIIT and functional training became mainstream, and recovery was recognised as just as important as the workout itself.

2020s

In the coronavirus year 2020, all sports centres were partially or completely closed for nearly two years, and physical inactivity had a significant impact on student well-being. After the pandemic, UniSport’s role as a community-oriented and low-threshold provider of physical activity became even more important.

UniSport’s ownership base expanded to include the University of the Arts Helsinki, completing the model for shared sports services among universities in the capital region. After more than 20 years, UniSport also returned to Viikki—opening a new chapter in its long history.

In 2025, UniSport’s mission was updated to: “We are part of every university member’s active and well-being-oriented everyday life.” This highlights the strong connection between physical activity and recovery as part of promoting well-being.

Present Day

Today, UniSport is more than a sports centre—it is part of everyday university life, growth, and personal stories.
Every workout, break-time stretch, success, and word of encouragement from a training partner continues a journey spanning more than half a century.

Now it’s your turn to shape how this moment will be remembered in the future. 

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