Who Is The Netherland’s Most Convincing Jari Litmanen? Helsinki Is About to Find Out
Jari Litmanen getting his iconic haircut in Helsinki. Photo: Brahmma Wijaya, Helsinki Partners
Helsinki, 30 September 2026 – The capital of the world’s happiest nation, Helsinki, is opening a one-day pop-up barbershop celebrating the legendary Ajax star, Jari Litmanen. All available appointments were booked up in less than 24 hours, but on of that, the city is inviting Dutch people to compete for the title of Litmanen’s ultimate look-alike, with the winner taking home a trip to Helsinki.
Who in the Netherlands looks most like Jari Litmanen? Finland’s capital Helsinki is about to find out.
On 17 October, Helsinki is opening a one-day-only Jari Litmanen Barbershop in Amsterdam Noord, where locals can get a free haircut inspired by one of Ajax’s most iconic players and enter a look-alike contest in his honour.
There is just one catch: the barber only offers four hairstyles, each inspired by a different era of Jari Litmanen’s legendary career and unmistakable look. Interest in the event has been building rapidly online: Helsinki’s official city marketing Instagram account, MyHelsinki, has published a video in which Jari Litmanen himself invites people in Dutch to the event. The video has further fuelled interest among Dutch football fans and the local Ajax community.
The barber is open from 9:30am to 6pm. The advance haircut appointments filled up in less than 24 hours, but the remaining one barber chair will operate on a first-come, first-served basis on the day.
But haircuts aren't the only way to get into character. At 6pm, contestants will take the stage to show off their best Litmanen look in a look-alike contest that you can enter with or without a Jari haircut. No advance registration is required: anyone who thinks they can channel the iconic Ajax star can simply turn up and enter the contest.
The winner will receive a trip to Helsinki, while the first-, second- and third-place winners will also receive a football jersey signed by Litmanen. And there will be one particularly important person deciding who deserves the crown.
Advertisement of the Jari Litmanen Barbershop on the streets of Amsterdam. Photo: Tatiana Van Waveren
Two cities, one football legend
Litmanen is a unique connection between Helsinki and Amsterdam. A true legend in both cities, he became one of the most celebrated Finnish footballers of all time during his iconic time at Ajax, where he won the UEFA Champions League and became a fan favourite.
For many in the Netherlands, Litmanen remains closely associated with the golden era of Ajax in the 1990s. For Helsinki, he is one of the country's most recognisable sport figures, who also calls Helsinki his second home.
More than three decades after his Ajax debut, Litmanen continues to have a remarkably strong and passionate fanbase in the Netherlands, making Amsterdam the natural place for Helsinki to celebrate the enduring connection between two cities and one football icon.
The Jari Litmanen Barbershop is Helsinki’s playful tribute to this shared connection, and to his signature hairstyles that has become almost as recognisable as the man himself.
Link to event site
https://www.myhelsinki.fi/jari/
The Jari Litmanen Barbershop
Saturday 17th October
Haircuts from 9.30am to 6pm
Look-alike contest at 6pm
Grasweg 1A1, 1031 HW Amsterdam, Netherlands
More information and interview requests
Rick Stenders, Marketing Manager
Helsinki Partners
rick.stenders@helsinkipartners.com
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