Preparations for Kotka-Jukola are progressing rapidly – the forest, volunteers and technology are already tuning up for the great orienteering weekend of summer 2026.
Kotka-Jukola 2026 prepares
Lively activity has been seen in recent weeks around the competition centre at Kymi Airfield. – We have been clearing, measuring, planning and meeting almost daily, says Event Director Ari Kukkonen.
Kotka-Jukola 2026 is being built in phases: the terrain, logistics and thousands of details are refined to fit together so that in June everything is ready for 20,000 orienteers and a similar number of spectators.
Event Invitation published
The official Event Invitation for Kotka-Jukola has now been published. – This is always a significant milestone in the preparations. The invitation signals that we are on schedule and plans are advancing, Kukkonen says. Read the Event Invitation
Preliminary information for the Jukola Relay
Below are the leg lengths and total climbs for the Jukola Relay at Kotka-Jukola.
| Leg | Length | Time estimate | Total climb |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 13,0 km (dusk/dark) | 73 min | 125 m |
| 2. | 11,1 km (dark) | 63 min | 115 m |
| 3. | 14,8 km (dark/dusk) | 82 min | 175 m |
| 4. | 7,0 km (dusk) | 40 min | 90 m |
| 5. | 7,9 km (light) | 42 min | 90 m |
| 6. | 11,8 km (light) | 63 min | 150 m |
| 7. | 15,9 km (light) | 84 min | 195 m |
| Total | 81,5 km | 7 h 27 min | 940 m |
Forking on all legs. The sun sets on Sat 13.6.2026 at 22.41 and rises on Sun 14.6. at 3.44. The relay starts with a mass start on Saturday 13.6.2026 at 23:00.
Preliminary information for the Venla Relay
| Leg | Length | Time estimate | Total climb |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 8,0 km | 49 min | 115 m |
| 2. | 10,1 km | 63 min | 140 m |
| 3. | 6,1 km | 37 min | 80 m |
| 4. | 9,1 km | 55 min | 150 m |
| Total | 33,3 km | 3 h 24 min | 485 m |
Forking on all legs. The relay starts with a mass start on Saturday 13.6.2026 at 13:30.
Registration opens
– Registration opens on Friday 10.10.2025 at 10.00 on the Kotka-Jukola website, says Secretary General Pauli Mäkelä.
The club contact person enters and pays for teams in the registration system. Booking of tent pitches opens on 1.12.2025 at 12.00.
An invitation link and detailed registration instructions will be emailed to all clubs and organisations that took part in Mikkeli-Jukola 2025.
Competition centre and conditions
The Kotka-Jukola competition centre is located in the Kotka Motor Sports Centre and Kymi Airfield area, about 18 kilometres from Kotka city centre. – The area offers good and clear conditions for organising, and distances remain moderate, Mäkelä says.
Parking for cars will take place mainly in the airfield area, and accommodation areas are in its immediate vicinity in wooded surroundings. Walking distances to the competition centre remain reasonable even from the farthest parking areas.
Welcome to Kotka in June 2026!
Kotka-Jukola warmly welcomes all orienteers, volunteers and spectators to take part and experience a unique Jukola weekend by the sea, in the forest and in the light.
PAULI MÄKELÄ
Pääsihteeri / Secretary General
Kotka-Jukola 2026