Särkänniemi Announces New Family Roller Coaster “Konect” for 2026

(eap) The Finnish amusement park Särkänniemi, located on the peninsula of the same name in Tampere, has announced a new attraction for the 2026 season. With “Konect”, a family roller coaster by Dutch manufacturer Vekoma is set to be added to the park. The coaster layout, designed specifically for the park, is planned to feature a track length of more than 500 meters and a maximum height of around 27 meters. The ride will reach a top speed of approximately 68 km/h. Children will be permitted to ride from a height of 100 centimetres when accompanied by an adult, and from 120 centimetres when riding alone. The local company Lempäälän Rakentajat Oy has been commissioned as the main contractor for the construction of the roller coaster.

The new roller coaster will significantly change the skyline of the park Image: Courtesy of Tampereen Särkänniemi Oy.

Thematically, the new attraction is intended to reflect the history of the city of Tampere: “We are an amusement park originating from Tampere, so we drew inspiration for the theme of the new roller coaster from the history of mobility in Tampere and the city’s bold development. The ride of the Konect roller coaster will begin and end at the future themed Särkänniemi railway station. In the queue area, visitors can familiarize themselves with the history of mobility in Tampere and at the same time feel as though they are setting off on a real adventure,” explains Särkänniemi CEO Mikko Hautasaari, who has been managing the park since March 2025 as successor to Miikka Seppälä.

“Vekoma is proud to be working together with Särkänniemi to deliver a new kind of roller coaster. We are genuinely excited to see this attraction take shape for the 2026 season and are confident that it will delight both young thrill-seekers and families alike. The roller coaster will be a new highlight in the outstanding Särkänniemi amusement park,” says Vekoma Sales Director Stefan Holtman. ■