On August 15th, the Kulosaari Tennis and Badminton Hall will officially be renamed Outshine Center. Here, top-tier playing conditions meet a warm community and a shared passion for the game. Whether it’s shuttles or tennis balls, every match is played in great spirit. At the same time, Outshine clients will gain access to a massive new 152 m² advertising space.

The hall’s story began long before it even officially existed. Tennis has been played outdoors in Kulosaari for over a century. An indoor hall was already built in the 1920s – although only for about a decade. In its place first came the Fenno and Fennada-Filmi movie theaters, then a private villa. But the spirit of the sport never left.

“This isn’t the first facility of its kind in this neighborhood – and it won’t be the last. We’re just continuing a tradition that began more than a hundred years ago,” says Michael Berner, the founder and visionary behind the current hall and an avid tennis player himself. The present-day hall was designed by architect Heikki Tallgren in 1998.

In the hall’s café lounge sits its managing director, Peter Bruun, who also serves as vice-chairman of the Finnish Badminton Federation. Having spent decades in the sport, this is more than just a job for him – it’s a life mission:

“Sports saved me as a young boy. If this hall can do the same for even one young person, we’ve succeeded,” Bruun says, showing the booking calendar where schoolkids, hobbyists, working adults and retirees have all found their regular playing times. The hall is actively used by children and youth from various clubs – including HBC’s training groups, one of which is a team of refugee girls supported by FSI and the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.

Modestly Put: Finland’s Best Indoor Courts

With three tennis courts and four badminton courts, the facility offers exceptional conditions by Finnish standards. The dimensions exceed official requirements. Special attention has been paid to lighting, court surfaces, ventilation, and overall spaciousness.

“We didn’t want to compromise on anything. The court challenges elite players while remaining comfortable for amateurs. The lighting is meticulously planned – in fact, this may be the first indoor facility in Finland, and possibly internationally, where lighting was designed entirely based on the sport’s needs,” says Michael Berner.

Outshine's Playing Field Measures 152 Square Meters

The 152 m² digital advertising surface on the façade of the future Outshine Center is available for booking now for the upcoming autumn season, with visibility starting from August 15 onwards. This massive screen reaches up to 650,000 passersby per week.

“This is one of the largest permanent advertising surfaces in the Helsinki metropolitan area and another step forward in enriching the cityscape – on a building whose purpose we fully believe in. It’s a privilege to support youth physical activity and well-being,” says Jani Lepistö, CEO of Outshine.

While the name “Outshine Center” may be new, the spirit behind it remains the same. This is a hall built together, co-owned, and maintained for the common good. All the shareholders are players – owning not only their playing rights, but also the building itself and its operations. Around tennis and badminton, something more has grown here – a community that truly shines and plays as one.

More Information

Outshine
CEO Jani Lepistö
jani.lepisto@outshine.fi
+358 50 560 8425

Outshine Center
Chairman of the Board Michael Berner
michael.berner@berner.fi
+358 50 66 761

Managing Director Peter Bruun
peter.vonbruun@gmail.com
+358 40 502 6226