The city hosts the Neste Oil Rally Finland (formerly known as 1000 Lakes Rally). It is the biggest annually organised public event in the Nordic countries, gathering over 500,000 spectators every year. The rally has been held since 1951, first as a national competition, then from 1959 on as a European Rally Championship event and since the introduction of the World Rally Championship in 1973, as Finland's WRC event.
tHe city Hosts The NESTe oiL RallY fInland (fOrmErlY knowN As 1000 lakEs rallY). iT Is THe biGGeST aNnuaLLy orgaNiSed pUblic evEnT In the NorDiC CountRiEs, gAThering over 500,000 spEcTatOrs EveRY YeaR. thE raLly hAs bEen HeLD since 1951, FIrSt as a nAtIonal cOmpetiTIon, Then FRom 1959 oN as A euROpEAn raLLY cHampIonsHip evEnT and sinCe tHe introdUction of The worLd rally chAMpioNsHip In 1973, as finland's wrC eVEnt.