Welcome to Ropecon!

Ropecon 2026 takes  place on 24–26 July 2026 at Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre. The event begins on Friday at 3 PM and ends on Sunday at 6 PM.

Messukeskus Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre

Messuaukio 1
00520 Helsinki

Messukeskus is located in Pasila, Helsinki, with excellent transport connections.

Please note that renovation work is currently taking place at Messukeskus. This affects the entrances to Ropecon and routes inside the venue as well  this year. The convention will be held at Messukeskus as usual, but please make allowances for  a little more time than usual for arriving and moving around the convention area.

Entrances and Tickets

This year, Ropecon can be accessed through three entrances: the northern entrance, the Siipi entrance and the western entrance.

The northern entrance is located on the Messuparkki side of the venue. It is especially recommended for visitors arriving by car and for those who wish to avoid the busiest queues. The northern entrance has ticket sales, advance ticket exchange, a fast lane for visitors with wristbands, and a cloakroom.

The Siipi entrance is located on Rautatieläisenkatu, after the main entrance of the Holiday Inn when arriving from the direction of Pasila. The Siipi entrance leads directly into the conference wing of Messukeskus, where the tabletop role-playing rooms, larp rooms and Elämyssali are located.

Please note that tickets are not sold or upgraded at the Siipi entrance. Only advance tickets can be exchanged for wristbands there. The entrance also has a fast lane for visitors with wristbands. The Siipi entrance is open during the day only and closed at night from 00:00 to 08:00. On Sunday, advance tickets can no longer be exchanged for wristbands at the Siipi entrance.

The western entrance is located on Veturimiehentie, a side street off Rautatieläisenkatu before the construction site at the southern entrance. The western entrance is signposted from Rautatieläisenkatu. The western entrance has a separate lane for programme organisers and volunteers.

Card payment is accepted at all ticket sales desks. Cash is also accepted at marked ticket sales points. At the ticket desk, visitors receive a wristband that allows them to enter and leave the event area freely while their ticket is valid.

The ticket sales information point is located at the western entrance. In addition to resolving ticket-related issues, it is also where all badges and meal tickets are handed out.

Ticket sales opening hours
Friday 15:00–00:00
Saturday 08:00–00:00
Sunday 08:00–15:00
western and northern entrances only

When ticket sales are closed, tickets are sold at Info.

Exchanging an advance ticket for a wristband

The quickest way to enter Ropecon is to exchange your advance ticket for a wristband before the event begins.

Before Ropecon begins, advance tickets can be exchanged for wristbands on Thursday 23 July from 12:00 to 17:00 at Oodi Central Library, and from 14:00 to 18:00 at the Siipi entrance of Messukeskus.

On Friday 24 July, before the event begins, advance tickets can be exchanged for wristbands from 09:00 to 14:00 at the northern and western entrances.

During Ropecon, advance tickets can be exchanged for wristbands at all open entrances. Visitors who have bought an advance ticket and have already exchanged it for a wristband can skip the busiest Friday queues. The northern entrance and the Siipi entrance have separate queues for visitors who already have wristbands.

Programme organisers and volunteers

Before Ropecon begins, programme organisers and volunteers can collect their wristbands on Thursday 23 July from 14:00 to 18:00 at the Siipi entrance and in connection with volunteer info.

On Friday 24 July, before Ropecon begins, wristbands, badges and meal tickets can be collected from the western entrance between 09:00 and 14:00.

During the event, programme organisers’ and volunteers’ wristbands, badges and meal tickets are collected from the western entrance. The western entrance has a separate queue for programme organisers and volunteers.

Cloakroom

Ropecon’s cloakroom services are included in the ticket price. This year, the available cloakrooms are the small-item cloakroom next to Info, the cloakroom at the northern entrance, and the large-item and prop cloakroom at the end of the Glass Gallery.

The small-item cloakroom and the cloakroom at the northern entrance are intended for small items that can be hung up, such as coats and outdoor clothing. Bags and other large items should be taken to the large-item cloakroom. Fragile and unusually shaped props should be taken to the prop cloakroom. Please note that while we handle your belongings with care, we cannot be held responsible for items that may break. Please pack your belongings carefully.

Opening hours of the small-item cloakroom and the northern entrance cloakroom

Cloakroom opening hours
Friday 15:00 – 01:00
Saturday 08:00 – 02:00
Sunday 08:00 – 18:00

The large-item cloakroom is open around the clock throughout the event.

Public transportation

Trams:
Tram 2 runs through the city centre on the route Olympiaterminaali – Railway Station – Kamppi – Töölö – Messukeskus. This is a convenient direct connection from the city centre to the front of Messukeskus.

Tram 13 runs from Kalasatama metro station to Pasila, from where it is a short walk to Messukeskus.

Buses:
Bus 69 runs from Elielinaukio, next to Helsinki Central Railway Station, and provides a direct connection to Pasilankatu near Messukeskus.

Bus 59 runs on the route Herttoniemi – Kalasatama – Pasila.

In addition, all commuter trains stop at Pasila station. From Pasila station, it is about a five-minute walk to Messukeskus.

Please check the best route for your journey in the HSL Journey Planner before setting off. Please also take into account any summer rail works and other transport arrangements, which may particularly affect visitors arriving by train.

Parking

Messukeskus Helsinki’s always-open car park, Messuparkki, is located on the northern entrance side of Messukeskus at Ratapihantie 17, Helsinki. The Siipi parking area is also available at the end of Ratamestarinkatu, at Ratamestarinkatu 13, Helsinki.

The northern entrance is the recommended entrance for visitors arriving by car.

Tips for a smooth arrival

If possible, it is worth exchanging your advance ticket for a wristband before the event begins. If you are arriving from Pasila station or on foot, the western entrance is likely to be the closest entrance, but also the busiest. If you wish to avoid queues, consider heading to the northern entrance or the Siipi entrance.

The northern entrance is especially suitable for visitors arriving by car. The Siipi entrance is convenient if you are going directly to programmes in the conference wing, such as tabletop role-playing games, larps or Elämyssali.

Due to the construction site, some routes have changed. The staircase in the southern entrance lobby leading to the second floor of the Siipi wing is not in use. The Siipi spaces are accessed via the long corridor starting next to Info, past Elämyssali. This year, it is worth allowing more time than usual for moving between areas.

The Ropecon map will be published on the website closer to the event. In addition to the interactive map on the website, the printed Ropecon programme booklet distributed at the event will include a map, and maps will also be available on signboards around the event area.

Frequently asked questions about arrival and entrances

What services are available at each entrance? Where can I buy a ticket?
The western and northern entrances offer all ticket sales services. The Siipi entrance only offers advance ticket exchange.

I have exchanged my advance ticket for a wristband. Can I enter through any entrance by showing my wristband?
Yes. With a wristband, you can enter through any open entrance.

I am planning to arrive by bicycle. Are there bicycle racks anywhere?
The largest number of bicycle racks can be found near the Siipi entrance, with the next largest number at the northern entrance. There are no bicycle racks at the western entrance.

Are all entrances accessible?
All entrances are accessible. The western entrance has a ramp. At the northern entrance and the Siipi entrance, the door is at street level.

I am arriving with large suitcases. Which entrance is closest to the large-item cloakroom?
The western entrance is closest to the large-item cloakroom. There are small-item cloakrooms next to Info and at the northern entrance. There is no cloakroom at the Siipi entrance.