Is your first Jukola experience ahead of you? Great – welcome to Vuokatti in June 2027! Expect community spirit, orienteering and a unique competition atmosphere in the vaara hill terrain of Kainuu.
But what should you pack, what happens at the Competition Centre, and do you need more skills in the forest than simply following a line of headlamps? We have gathered the most important tips for first-timers. These tips will help you make the most of your first Jukola experience.
Closer to the event, we will publish more practical information on our website, including everything you need to know about the Competition Centre and arriving in Vuokatti.
1. You Don’t Need to Know Everything in Advance
You can come to the weekend-long Vuokatti-Jukola as a competitor, spectator or simply to experience the atmosphere. You are also welcome to join as a volunteer – the world’s largest orienteering relay requires an enormous number of helping hands.
If you are competing in a Jukola Relay or Venla Relay team, familiarise yourself with your relay leg and the competition procedures in advance. If you are attending as a spectator, all you need is curiosity and a willingness to immerse yourself in the Jukola experience.
The Jukola Relay website contains everything you need to know about the event.
2. Pack More Than Just Sportswear
Bring weather-appropriate clothing, spare socks, rain gear and comfortable footwear. You can compete in any sportswear, but long trousers – or at least long socks – are recommended in the forest.
You will also need a compass, an Emit timing card, a headlamp for possible night-time relay legs and suitable footwear. Orienteering is not an equipment-intensive sport, however – you can rent an Emit card and complete your race in ordinary sports clothing.
Warm clothing is worth packing, even though we have ordered warm summer weather for the Jukola weekend in Kainuu. If you are staying at the event area overnight, remember appropriate sleeping equipment as well.
Many people say camping is the only proper way to stay at Jukola, but you do not have to believe every rumour – accommodation options are available for every taste.
3. Get to Know the Compact Competition Centre
The Jukola Relay is much more than running in the forest. At the Competition Centre, people follow the race, support their teams and enjoy the event services.
The Vuokatti-Jukola Competition Centre is compact and efficient – everything from the camping areas to the changeover area is within easy reach.
Make sure to experience the unique Jukola sauna and the Forest Church, both offering a distinctive atmosphere you will not find elsewhere.
The area also features restaurants, orienteering and sports equipment vendors, and numerous exhibitors. Familiarise yourself with the event map and locate key services such as toilets, food services and first aid beforehand.
4. Be Prepared to Stay Awake and Enjoy the Atmosphere
The Jukola Relay starts at 23:00, when a long stream of headlamps leaves the Competition Centre and heads towards the vaara hills of Vuokatti.
A long night lies ahead, whether you are cheering, running your relay leg or waiting for your turn. At the latitude of Kainuu there is plenty of light even during the summer night, but the forest remains dark enough to create the famous spectacle of moving headlamps.
If you are competing, take care of your rest, nutrition and hydration. If you are supporting a team, bring patience, warm clothing and plenty of enthusiasm.
For many participants, the night-time atmosphere is one of the most memorable parts of the entire event, so don’t miss it.
The four-leg Venla Relay takes place during the afternoon and evening before the seven-leg Jukola Relay, making it an excellent way for families and younger spectators to experience the event.
5. Arriving, Parking and Accommodation
Make sure you understand the arrival instructions, parking arrangements and possible transport connections. If you are travelling from farther away, plan your accommodation well in advance and allow sufficient time for moving around the event.
The Competition Centre is located in the heart of Vuokatti at the sports institute area, but parking areas and some accommodation options are located further away.
A well-planned competition weekend leaves more time to enjoy the event itself and spend time together – which is what sporting events are ultimately all about.
The journey to Vuokatti may be longer, but once you are here, everything is close by. That is why it is worth staying in Vuokatti and Sotkamo longer than just the competition weekend – and at the same time avoid the busiest Jukola traffic.
The Culture Week organised alongside Vuokatti-Jukola promises activities throughout the week, combining the orienteering weekend with cultural events.
Highlights include a Super-Jymy baseball game, local Kainuu flavours, guided tours on land and on the lakes, and live music.
Read more: https://jukola.com/2027/en/spectators/#culture
6. The Most Important Tip: Get Involved
The Jukola atmosphere is created by people, teams and shared experiences. You do not need to know everything, and not everyone needs to chase a top result.
Orienteering skills certainly help, but many experienced participants say strong social skills will take you far as well. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, encourage others and let yourself become part of the experience.
See you at Vuokatti-Jukola!
Text: Hannele Hyvärinen
Photo: Karo Holmberg, Kotka-Jukola 2026