Finnish theme park Särkänniemi, located on its iconic lakeside peninsula in Tampere, Finland, will open a major new roller coaster for the 2026 season.

The attraction, named Konect, is a custom-designed family roller coaster from Dutch manufacturer Vekoma and represents one of the largest investments the park has made in years.

A New Family Thrill Takes Shape

Konect is being positioned as a family-friendly yet thrilling roller coaster that welcomes riders as young as 100 cm tall when accompanied by an adult, a first of its kind on this scale in Finland. Solo riders will need to be at least 120 cm tall.

The custom coaster layout spans 525 metres of track and reaches a maximum height of approximately 27 metres, with a top speed around 68 km/h. Its course will weave above significant areas of the park and go along the shoreline of Lake Näsijärvi, promising scenic views as part of the ride experience.

Designed for All Ages and Shared Experiences

According to the park, Konect is meant to reflect both the history of mobility in Tampere and the joy of shared adventure. The attraction’s thematic elements will reference local landmarks and Tampere’s transport heritage, with the queue area designed to resemble a themed railway station where riders begin their journey.

Statements from both Särkänniemi and Vekoma praise the collaboration, highlighting the coaster’s anticipated broad appeal, from families with small children to teenagers and adults alike.

Vekoma’s Longest Family Coaster in Europe

Konect further expands Vekoma’s presence in Europe’s family coaster market. At over half a kilometre in length, it is set to become the longest family roller coaster the company has ever built on the continent and boasts one of the tallest heights in its category.

Construction is underway with Lempäälän Rakentajat Oy serving as the main contractor. The coaster is currently scheduled to open in May 2026 as part of Särkänniemi’s 2026 season launch.