FC Haka fans burn down stadium after being relegated

Martin Macdonald

• 12 Dec 2025 10:01 CST
• 4 min read

Nieuws

Arsonists have burned down part of FC Haka's stadium after the club were relegated to the Finnish second Tier.

Haka, who have won the first division on nine occasions in their history, have endured a torrid season in 2025 and finished second-bottom of the Veikkausliiga.

After 22 matches, they only accumulated just 16 points.

Three 15-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a stand of the The Factory Field stadium was very nearly brought to complete ashes. Though part of the structure still remains, the heavy damage will take significant investment to fix and the club's artificial pitch also was also set on fire.

The club has played at The Factory Field for 94 years.

🚨🚨| BREAKING: After FC Haka were 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 to the second division in Finland, a group of three minor fans set fire to the stadium stands.pic.twitter.com/Z89BrKbmaO

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) December 11, 2025

Haka confirmed the extent of the damage in a club statement.

"The fire is a truly tragic incident. Everyone, from the players to the supporters, is deeply shocked," chairman Marko Laaksonen said.

"The surprising and uncontrolled event affects many and shakes the sense of security. Fortunately, no personal injuries were sustained and the excellent work of the Rescue Service, VPK and other operators managed to protect the other buildings at the Tehtaas field.

“We are not yet able to accurately assess the financial damage caused by the fire.

"In any case, it is clear that the effects are significant and, at least for a while, the club's operations will be hampered in many different ways.

“We will need the support of the entire community to get back to normal everyday life. Fortunately, the team is able to continue preparing for the season almost normally.

"We at Haka are committed to giving our all to the club we love, so we will get through this too.”

🇫🇮 - A teenager has confessed to starting a fire that completely destroyed the main stand at FC Haka's historic Tehtaan kenttä stadium in Valkeakoski, Finland, on Sunday evening. Three minors under 15 were present, one admitted igniting an object that sparked the blaze, which… pic.twitter.com/KH0oEnfr8x

— EuroWatcher - News for you (@EuroWatcherEUW) December 11, 2025

Club chief executive Olli Huttunen condemned the actions of the three young men.

“This is shocking, when you think about how important the Factory Field is in Finnish football.

“This kind of behaviour, where you don’t care about other people’s property, is outrageous. Unfortunately the world is like that.”

"I didn’t know right away what it was. I have camera surveillance on my computer, I went to look and saw on the screen that the end stand was on fire

“The frame of the main stand remains, and it will have to be demolished. The procedure is that the authorities and the insurance company will review the situation.

“Once all investigations have been completed, the main stand will have to be demolished.”

The nine-time champions have since launched a fundraising campaign, the Päätykatsomo Community with donations going towards both rebuilding the stand.

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