HRH The Crown Prince has accepted the patronage of BWF World Championships 2023, which take place from 21-27 August 2023 in Royal Arena in Copenhagen, Denmark.

For the second time, The Crown Prince acts as patron of the Badminton World Championships on Danish soil this summer. The first time was in 2014 when Denmark hosted World Championships in Copenhagen.   It is the fifth time in history that Denmark has hosted the World Championships in badminton. In collaboration with Sport Event Denmark, the Municipality of Copenhagen, and Wonderful Copenhagen, Badminton Denmark will ensure that the World Championships once more raise the bar of the event setup.   Therefore, it is an honor to welcome the Danish Crown Prince once again the patronage.   – In Badminton Denmark, we are incredibly proud and honored of our royal patron. The Crown Prince is very interested in sports, and it adds great value to and respect for the Badminton World Championships, says Kristian Pinderup Langbak, CEO of Badminton Denmark.   – In Copenhagen, we are very proud to host the big sporting events and the World Championships in badminton is without exception. We cannot imagine a better patron than His Royal Highness who is a fantastic ambassador for sport and Copenhagen, says Lord Mayer in Copenhagen, Sophie Hæstorp Andersen.   – The Crown Prince is an excellent patron. We have seen this at countless major international sporting events in Denmark. With genuine interest and great insight into the sport, The Crown Prince meets athletes, coaches, spectators, and the media. It is worth its weight in gold, says Lars Lundov, CEO of Sport Event Denmark.   Read more at www.denmark2023.dk.

Press release on behalf of Herning 2022

From 6-14 August 2022, Herning hosted the ECCO FEI World Championships Herning – Denmark 2022 for the first time. The disciplines were dressage, show jumping, pairs dressage, and vaulting. Denmark, quite sensationally, became the most winning nation ahead of the Netherlands, France, Great Britain, and Germany. 

From the very beginning, it was the Danish mission to host the World Championships to

• create a united celebration with a unique experience in Herning
• Involve  all inside the equestrian circuit – but also include parties outside this World
• Ensure high quality and standard for the event execution
• Ensure growth and value creation for all
• Promote Denmark and Danish Equestrian Sport
• Increase knowledge of equestrian sports in Denmark

Did Denmark succeed? Now the overall national evaluation is ready and quantifies some of the effects of the ECCO FEI World Championships Herning – Denmark 2022.

The evaluation shows, among other things, that 167,000 people visited the ECCO FEI World Championships and  the championship set new standards for sustainable development in several areas.

“When we finished the ECCO FEI World Championships 2022, to be honest – we had it. But here we are, six months later, with an evaluation that proves it was worth it in every way. The event generated more than € 35 mill and set new standards for sustainable development. And Denmark won five fantastic gold medals,” says Jens Trabjerg, who, together with Casper Cassøe, organized the ECCO FEI World Championships. 

Trabjerg and Cassøe ordered the national evaluation. The evaluation is based on data and analyses from VisitDenmark and Wilke and data provided by independent suppliers to the international Equestrian Federation, FEI. FEI has also taken note of the many positive figures in the evaluation:

“The evaluation of the FEI World Championships 2022 in Herning (DEN) proves that a multi-disciplinary World Championships can be held cost-effectively and sustainably,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. 

 “The Organising Committee in Herning successfully included sustainability into every aspect of their planning and delivery of the Championships and worked diligently towards energy efficiency, waste reduction, and other ecological measures. This has left a lasting legacy not just for our sport, but also for the local community, and showed that change can take place when there is collective will, commitment, and creativity.”  

Like the international federation, the partners behind the World Championships also read the evaluation. The Danish Equestrian Federation, Herning Municipality, and Sport Event Denmark all see essential and valuable data in the evaluation.

Danish equestrian sport delivered ten medals, five of them gold!

“We had historic World Championships, and the final evaluation is also historic. The evaluation is worth its weight in gold. With this evaluation, we’re now able to see how many people cheered for us on home ground and how many watched equestrian sports on TV and other channels. In terms of sport, Danish equestrian sport delivered the best result of all time – and the fact that it took place on home ground only made the success even greater. A contributing factor to the successful staging was the many volunteers and our sponsors. Without them it would not have been possible,” says Ulf Helgstrand, President Danish Equestrian Federation.

The evaluation also includes an analysis focusing on the event’s media coverage. This analysis also shows excellent results. The World Championships was covered in 96 countries with 346 hours of TV coverage. In addition to TV coverage, there was also coverage by written media and still photographers. In addition, there was impressive coverage on the event’s social media. There were 226.2 million views and 15.8 million video views.

“The evaluation report is an impressive work with relevant and instructive data that we can take with us in our work with other major international sporting events in Denmark. For example, there are media figures from both the organizers and the FEI, and there is no doubt that with the ECCO FEI World Championships in Denmark, we have reached far more equestrian enthusiasts than the 167,000 visitors to Herning,” says Lars Lundov, CEO, Sport Event Denmark.

The evaluation focuses on spectator measurement and tourism economics. VisitDenmark’s figures show that tourism consumption at the World Championships was impressive.

“I am very pleased to note that the many spectators at the World Championships had a fantastic experience, in fact 96% said they had a good or very good experience. And they also spent money on food, accommodation and tickets. The evaluation translate tourism spending into 277 full-time jobs. These are figures that we in Herning are proud of,” says Dorte West, Mayor of Herning.

Link to summary:

PRESS RELEASE

Again, this year, the Tour of Scandinavia will be staged in Norway and Denmark. Last year, the race started in Denmark with a finish in Norway. This summer, it’s reversed: with a start in Norway and an epic finish in Denmark.

The greatest women riders sprint to the finish line in Haderslev on Sunday 27 August after racing for more than 700 km over six stages from Mysen in Norway. Tour of Scandinavia is a Scandinavian stage race of World Tour-level crossing through three countries: Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Spectators along the routes will have fun and festivities and the opportunity to once again experience the intense drama of cycling, just like at last year’s edition and the start of the Tour de France in Denmark.

For years, Denmark has positioned itself as one of the world’s best cycling nations and destinations. With the Tour of Scandinavia this summer, Denmark stays in the lead. The race will showcase the Danish DNA of cycling from elite to cycling for all. The final stages are organized so both riders and spectators get the best conditions: flat, fast stretches, hills, and curves and finally a mountain sprint, which could be decisive for the overall standings.

Today, the routes of this year’s Tour of Scandinavia were announced at a press conference hosted by the Danish Cycling Federation and Norway’s race director together with the Danish start and finish cities, the Triangle Region Denmark and Sport Event Denmark.

5th stage, Saturday 26 August: Herning-Herning 16.4 km

For the first time, a single start will be run in the Tour of Scandinavia. It will be a 16.4 km long route with start and finish in the center of Herning.

6th stage, Sunday 27 August: Middelfart-Kolding-Haderslev 144 km

The final stage of the Tour of Scandinavia begins in Middelfart and ends in Haderslev and with an 800 m long finish hill, which will probably create excitement about who will win the prestigious last stage.

Quotes

Henrik Jess Jensen, chairman of the Danish Cycling Federation:

“The World Tour race Tour of Scandinavia is coming to Denmark again this year. After four stages in Norway, the last two stages will be on Danish soil. I’m really looking forward to seeing some of the world’s best female riders compete against each other. Women’s cycling and the number of World Tour teams and professional riders are growing worldwide – just as the interest in women’s cycling is developing. In the Danish cycling clubs, more and more girls also start cycling. It makes me happy because we have to help create even more Danish top riders. A major event such as the Tour of Scandinavia can contribute when the Danish riders and role models compete against the world’s elite. I look forward to August and to welcoming the world elite to Denmark.”

Race director Anders Eia Linnestad:

“Tour of Scandinavia 2022 was a great success, and the start in Denmark gave the race a new dimension compared to only having stages in Norway. The cross-border cooperation in Scandinavia is central to this project, and we are very happy to present a concept with a finish in Denmark. The combination of stages in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark requires a major logistics operation, especially in connection with the transport between Larvik in Norway and Herning in Denmark. As organizers, we are nevertheless convinced that this year’s combination of stages will be very well received. This year’s Tour of Scandinavia has a completely different profile to the 2022 edition. Already in the first stage, the riders are tested in the tough finale in Halden. There is a greater variation in the stages compared to last year. For the first time this year, we also have a single start, and there will be a battle for the yellow jersey right up to the last pedal stroke in Haderslev. We are really looking forward to the final stages of the race in Denmark. Here, everything is planned for a festive setting both in Herning, Middelfart, Kolding, and Haderslev.”

Lars Lundov, director of Sport Event Denmark:

“The world’s top riders will have the best possible conditions for the final stages of the Tour of Scandinavia this summer. Now we have seen the routes, and they have been designed with the expertise of the Danish Cycling Federation that has many years of experience as a host of large, international cycling races. We will see hill sprints and excitement until the finish. It’s a known secret that we in Sport Event Denmark dream of more major, cycling events. The Tour of Scandinavia is on the road and the UCI Road World Championships are now at the top of our wish list.”

Thomas Kastrup, Sport Event Manager for the Triangle area:

“We are happy that already one year after the ultimate cycling year with the Tour de France stage and the Worlds in the MTB Marathon, we have succeeded in attracting the next big cycling event to the Triangle Region in collaboration with the Danish Cycling Federation and Sport Event Denmark. The final stage of the Tour of Scandinavia has both start and finish in the Triangle region, and clearly supports our strategic focus on attracting cycling and outdoor events. We are looking forward to welcoming the female world elite and not least to sending the pack of riders out on a stage that offers both sporting challenges and a beautiful presentation of everything that the Triangle Region has to offer with epic landscapes, historical attractions, and vibrant urban environments.”

The four other stages (Norway/Sweden):

1 stage, Tuesday 22 August: Mysen – Halden

2nd stage, Wednesday 23 August: Tanumstrand – Strömstad

3rd stage, Thursday 24 August: Vikersund – Norefjell

4th stage, Friday 25 August: Kongsberg – Larvik

PRESS RELEASE

Today, with less than two months to go until UEFA’s decision of the host for the UEFA Women’s Championships 2025 (on April 4^th), the four Nordic countries are highlighting their cooperation and full support for the bid.   

Working together is not new for the governments of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, as along with the other Nordic countries, they have a joint vision to make the Nordics the most sustainable and integrated region in the world. The plans for the UEFA Women’s EURO in 2025 are a representation of this vision and cooperation. In statements provided to UEFA, the governments of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, expressed their full support of the bid and of the four football associations.  

The Danish government stated that it provides full support for the bid and that the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 is classified as a matter of general major interest and of international importance.  

The Finnish government gave their full support and expressed that it looks forward to welcoming a worldwide audience to Finland for a first-class international sporting event.   

The Norwegian government underlined their long-standing tradition in co-operating and building better societies together with the Nordic neighbours while sharing its full support for the bid.   

And the Swedish government provides full support and shares its belief that the Nordic values and co-operation will guarantee the success of the tournament.   

Recently, representatives from all four football federations and from the eight host cities gathered in Sweden’s capital city, Stockholm, to further their plans for the Championships.  

The Women’s EURO 2025 in the Nordics is set to be the biggest UEFA Women’s EURO edition of the tournament, with more than 800’000 tickets available for sale and a spectacular final at Friends Arena in Stockholm – the largest stadium in the Nordic region with 50,000 spectator seats. The four capital cities of Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, and Helsinki are all included, together, with one additional city from each of the four countries: Odense DEN, Göteborg SWE, Trondheim NOR, and Tampere FIN.  

Sport Event Denmark is an active part in the bidding process.

Media contact for Nordics 2025 

Heidi Pihlaja 

media@nordics2025.com  www.nordics2025.com 

IPCH is happy to announce that the hosting nation for the IPCH European Championship 2024 has finally been selected.

Denmark will host the competition in Musholm: a unique holiday, sports, and conference centre in the middle of Denmark. Located by the Danish coastline, just an hour’s drive from Copenhagen, Musholm is designed as one of the world’s most innovative and inclusive holiday and sports resorts.

Musholm resort and the sport hall will be the beating heart of the competition hosting the Team Delegations and the games. Training will be organized in a nearby Sport Hall.

The competition will be organized by Parasport Denmark and the Powerchair Floorball organization in Denmark under the supervision of the appointed IPCH Technical Delegate and under the aegis of IWAS – CISPRA.

8 National Teams will participate in the European Championship 2024 that will be held from 20^th to 28^th October 2024, and the competition will serve as Regional Championship to define the qualification slots for the World Championship 2026.

“Is there any better place to host a major event than the nation of the World Champions? – comments Fabio Rodo, IPCH Chairperson – Denmark tried for so long to put a bid and there can’t be any better timing than this. The high accessibility standard of Musholm center will redefine the state of art of our events. We will work closely with LOC, as always, to arrange everything for the best for the next European Championship. New challenges will wait for us but we are more than ready for those!”

“I am very pleased that we, in collaboration with the Municipality of Slagelse, Sport Event Denmark and Musholm – Vacation, Sport and Conference, will be hosting the IPCH European Championship 2024 in the unique setting of Musholm, which is a venue in a class of its own catering for the needs of players with difficult physical conditions. I am delighted that we can join forces to show case this fascinating sport, and I hope that many people will come and experience intense matches at the highest level of this fast game”, says John Petersson, chairman of Parasport Denmark.

“It is always gratifying to add more and new events to our calendar. The IPCH European Championship 2024 is the latest addition. Para-sport championships are always very welcome in Denmark. In 2024, Denmark will also host the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2024 and UCI Track World Championships 2024 along with other major, international sporting events. It is always a pleasure to give our athletes home ground, and with Denmark as the defending world champions in powerchair hockey, we must ensure good support for the team”, says Lars Lundov, director, Sport Event Denmark.

DENMARK APPOINTED AS HOSTING NATION FOR THE IPCH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2024

IPCH is happy to announce that the hosting nation for the IPCH European Championship 2024 has finally been selected.

Denmark will host the competition in Musholm: a unique holiday, sports, and conference centre in the middle of Denmark. Located by the Danish coastline, just an hour’s drive from Copenhagen, Musholm is designed as one of the world’s most innovative and inclusive holiday and sports resorts.

Musholm resort and the sport hall will be the beating heart of the competition hosting the Team Delegations and the games. Training will be organized in a nearby Sport Hall.

The competition will be organized by Parasport Denmark and the Powerchair Floorball organization in Denmark under the supervision of the appointed IPCH Technical Delegate and under the aegis of IWAS – CISPRA.

8 National Teams will participate in the European Championship 2024 that will be held from 20^th to 28^th October 2024, and the competition will serve as Regional Championship to define the qualification slots for the World Championship 2026.

“Is there any better place to host a major event than the nation of the World Champions? – comments Fabio Rodo, IPCH Chairperson – Denmark tried for so long to put a bid and there can’t be any better timing than this. The high accessibility standard of Musholm center will redefine the state of art of our events. We will work closely with LOC, as always, to arrange everything for the best for the next European Championship. New challenges will wait for us but we are more than ready for those!”

“I am very pleased that we, in collaboration with the Municipality of Slagelse, Sport Event Denmark and Musholm – Vacation, Sport and Conference, will be hosting the IPCH European Championship 2024 in the unique setting of Musholm, which is a venue in a class of its own catering for the needs of players with difficult physical conditions. I am delighted that we can join forces to show case this fascinating sport, and I hope that many people will come and experience intense matches at the highest level of this fast game”, says John Petersson, chairman of Parasport Denmark.

“It is always gratifying to add more and new events to our calendar. The IPCH European Championship 2024 is the latest addition. Para-sport championships are always very welcome in Denmark. In 2024, Denmark will also host the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2024 and UCI Track World Championships 2024 along with other major, international sporting events. It is always a pleasure to give our athletes home ground, and with Denmark as the defending world champions in powerchair hockey, we must ensure good support for the team”, says Lars Lundov, director, Sport Event Denmark.

Press release on behalf of the Danish Basketball Federation, the City of Copenhagen, Wonderfull Copenhagen and Sport Event Denmark.

In 2025, the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup with three days of public celebration, activities in the city space, and sports at the highest level. The international basketball federation, FIBA, just signed an agreement with the Danish Basketball Federation.

Copenhagen is preparing for an urban festival with street activities in the heart of the Danish capital when the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Qualifier and 3×3 Europe Cup 2025 take place.  

“We are really happy and proud of bringing the 3×3 Europe Cup to Denmark for the first time”, Kamil Novak, FIBA Europe Executive Director said adding: “Copenhagen and Denmark are perfect matches to 3×3 as one of the missions of this discipline is to bring basketball to the people and show that everyone can be successful in 3×3.”

“We are proud to host the Euro Cup 2025 and the qualifier on Danish soil in collaboration with Wonderful Copenhagen and Sport Event Denmark. I am thrilled that for the first time in Danish basketball history we will host a European Championship. We get the opportunity to showcase our fantastic sport to the Danes and show our international basketball family why Denmark is unique as a host nation for major sporting events,” –  chairman of the board of DBBF, Mads Young Christensen.

The 3×3 Europe Cup will be staged in September 2025 in a public square in central Copenhagen with a venue large enough to accommodate 1,200 spectators. In 2024, the Copenhageners can warm up with the 3×3 Europe Cup 2024 Qualifier. The activities and side events also include school programs, exercise, and competitions enabling the children to try the urban and Olympic discipline.

Denmark’s Basketball Federation expects between 7,000 and 8,400 paying spectators for the Europe Cup 2025 and up to 90,000 spontaneous spectators.

The Danish Basketball Federation, in collaboration with Wonderful Copenhagen and Sport Event Denmark, bid for and won the two events.

Quotes:

City of Copenhagen

“I am absolutely thrilled that Copenhagen will be hosting the European Championship in 3×3 basketball. It offers a unique opportunity for us to host a big international sport tournament in urban surroundings and combine it with street sport activities that everyone can participate in. I hope the event will encourage more people to try street sports, and I look forward to the celebrations in the streets of Copenhagen,” –  Lord Mayor Sophie Hæstorp Andersen.

Sport Event Denmark

“3×3 is one of the new Olympic disciplines with high entertainment value and great street credit. Therefore, the Europe Cup 2025, the qualifier in 2024, and Copenhagen are a perfect match. Together with the Danish Basketball Federation, and Copenhagen, we are planning a vast program of side activities during the urban festival embracing the tournaments,” – Lars Lundov, director of Sport Event Denmark.

Wonderful Copenhagen

“We are really excited to welcome the 3×3 Europe Cup to Copenhagen. In Copenhagen, we have a focus on creating events with broad and lasting legacies and the 3×3 Europe Cup is not only a testament to Copenhagen’s position as a leading sport event host city but also a great example of how a strong collaboration between organisations can create elite events that are closely tied to local life and leave a positive lasting legacy in the city,” – Kit Lykketoft, Director of Convention at Wonderful Copenhagen.

Facts

• 3×3 is an intense sprint format where matches only last 10 minutes or until a team reaches 21 points. The game takes place in a  3×3 crowd-friendly form with one basket.

• The 3×3 Europe Cup 2025 will be staged over three days with competition every day, with 12 participating countries with women and men competing on the same court, in front of the same crowd.

• 3×3 made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Olympics and is a permanent addition to the Olympic program.

Copenhagen will host the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup 2025

In 2025, the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup with three days of public celebration, activities in the city space, and sports at the highest level. The international basketball federation, FIBA, just signed an agreement with the Danish Basketball Federation.

Copenhagen is preparing for an urban festival with street activities in the heart of the Danish capital when the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Qualifier and 3×3 Europe Cup 2025 take place.  

“We are really happy and proud of bringing the 3×3 Europe Cup to Denmark for the first time”, Kamil Novak, FIBA Europe Executive Director said adding: “Copenhagen and Denmark are perfect matches to 3×3 as one of the missions of this discipline is to bring basketball to the people and show that everyone can be successful in 3×3.”

“We are proud to host the Euro Cup 2025 and the qualifier on Danish soil in collaboration with Wonderful Copenhagen and Sport Event Denmark. I am thrilled that for the first time in Danish basketball history we will host a European Championship. We get the opportunity to showcase our fantastic sport to the Danes and show our international basketball family why Denmark is unique as a host nation for major sporting events,” –  chairman of the board of DBBF, Mads Young Christensen.

The 3×3 Europe Cup will be staged in September 2025 in a public square in central Copenhagen with a venue large enough to accommodate 1,200 spectators. In 2024, the Copenhageners can warm up with the 3×3 Europe Cup 2024 Qualifier. The activities and side events also include school programs, exercise, and competitions enabling the children to try the urban and Olympic discipline.

Denmark’s Basketball Federation expects between 7,000 and 8,400 paying spectators for the Europe Cup 2025 and up to 90,000 spontaneous spectators.

The Danish Basketball Federation, in collaboration with Wonderful Copenhagen and Sport Event Denmark, bid for and won the two events.

Quotes:

City of Copenhagen

“I am absolutely thrilled that Copenhagen will be hosting the European Championship in 3×3 basketball. It offers a unique opportunity for us to host a big international sport tournament in urban surroundings and combine it with street sport activities that everyone can participate in. I hope the event will encourage more people to try street sports, and I look forward to the celebrations in the streets of Copenhagen,” –  Lord Mayor Sophie Hæstorp Andersen.

Sport Event Denmark

“3×3 is one of the new Olympic disciplines with high entertainment value and great street credit. Therefore, the Europe Cup 2025, the qualifier in 2024, and Copenhagen are a perfect match. Together with the Danish Basketball Federation, and Copenhagen, we are planning a vast program of side activities during the urban festival embracing the tournaments,” – Lars Lundov, director of Sport Event Denmark.

Wonderful Copenhagen

“We are really excited to welcome the 3×3 Europe Cup to Copenhagen. In Copenhagen, we have a focus on creating events with broad and lasting legacies and the 3×3 Europe Cup is not only a testament to Copenhagen’s position as a leading sport event host city but also a great example of how a strong collaboration between organisations can create elite events that are closely tied to local life and leave a positive lasting legacy in the city,” – Kit Lykketoft, Director of Convention at Wonderful Copenhagen.

Facts

• 3×3 is an intense sprint format where matches only last 10 minutes or until a team reaches 21 points. The game takes place in a  3×3 crowd-friendly form with one basket.

• The 3×3 Europe Cup 2025 will be staged over three days with competition every day, with 12 participating countries with women and men competing on the same court, in front of the same crowd.

• 3×3 made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Olympics and is a permanent addition to the Olympic program.

press release

Today, some of the biggest names in football from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have shown their support for the UEFA Women’s European Championship to come to the Nordics in 2025.

Magdalena Eriksson, who plays for Chelsea FC in the English Women’s Super League as well as the Swedish national team, said: “The Nordics bid has the vision to inspire and build truly equal opportunities for women’s football across Europe. I am driven by a similar vision every time I step on the field. It would be a dream come true to play in the Nordics in 2025 – I hope the rest of Europe will be joining me in this dream!”  

Other female players who have come out to support the bid are Pernille Harder (Chelsea FC / DEN), Ingrid Engen (FC Barcelona / NOR) and Natalia Kuikka (Portland Thorns / FIN).  

The men are equally excited to bring the tournament home to the Nordics.  

Kasper Schmeichel, who plays in the French Ligue 1 club Nice as well as the Danish National Team, says: “We promise to provide a tournament of joy and celebration, where everyone will be invited to celebrate the shared values of our European football community – together.” 

Victor Lindelöf (Manchester United / SWE), Alexander Sørloth (Real Sociedad / NOR), and Lukas Hradecky (Bayer 04 Leverkusen/ FIN) have all shared their support as well.  

All these players can be seen sharing their support in a video released today on the social media channels of the four football associations behind the Nordics2025 bid (video available www.nordics2025.com).  

The entire football community across the Nordic countries is rooting for the bid and looking forward to a positive outcome on 04 April 2023, the date on which UEFA will decide on the host of the Women’s Euro 2025.  

The Women’s EURO 2025 in the Nordics is set to be the biggest UEFA Women’s EURO edition of the tournament, with more than 800’000 tickets available for sale and a spectacular final at Friends Arena in Stockholm – the largest stadium in the Nordic region with 50,000 spectator seats. The four capital cities of Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, and Helsinki are all included, together, with one additional city from each of the four countries: Odense DEN, Göteborg SWE, Trondheim NOR, and Tampere FIN. 

Sport Event Denmark contributes to the bid campaign, and will partner the event if awarded to the Nordics.

The Ocean Race started in Alicante, Spain, where tens of thousands of spectators cheered the boats off on their way to the first stop in Capo Verde. Aarhus in Denmark is among the eight ‘stop-overs’ in this year’s sailing. Aarhus is the third last stop and the first Danish host city in the 50-year race history.

Between 29 May and 8 June, the top-tuned racing boats dock in Aarhus. Ahead lies an extremely demanding round-the-world voyage, which has just officially begun in Alicante, Spain. Two different boat classes compete. Five crews in the IMOCA class and six boats in the VO65 class. The IMOCA class takes the trip around the world. And the VO65 class takes part in the newly established The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Cup, which includes the stages Alicante to Capo Verde, Aarhus to The Hague, and The Hague to Genoa.

Sustainability Island

As something unique for this edition of The Ocean Race, the organizers in Aarhus present an exciting experience area: Sustainability Island. Here, a large number of partners will present their proposals for a more sustainable future. The activities are aimed both at around 7,000 school children on weekdays and the guests who visit the event at the weekend.

“The Ocean Race Stopover Aarhus will be a mega event – the biggest in Aarhus in 2023. We are proud to have confirmed that as a sailing and event city, Aarhus can do something exceptional. Our expectations are high. The support from the sailing community, the great sense of community among the city’s many volunteers, and a fantastic harbor area provide for  a fantastic and inspiring experience for both participants, visiting guests, and the city’s citizens. Together with strong partners such as Sport Event Denmark, and our Stopover Presenting Partner Trifork, we have set sails for 2023,” says Charlotte Kirk Elkjær, Stopover Director for The Ocean Race Aarhus 2023.

Sustainability Island aims to inspire the guests to change. The expected 400,000 guests  will experience fun and easy-to-understand, tangible examples, and the audience will see how to transform  the UN Global Goals into everyday goals.

Turn the Tide with Sport Event Denmark

The hosting of The Ocean Race is a new event highlight for Aarhus and cement the city’s position as an event city of international level.

In connection with the many significant international sailing events, Aarhus has worked closely with Sport Event Denmark. Sport Event Denmark advises in connection with bids and execution of major international sports events. The close and fruitful cooperation aims to bring Denmark up among the world’s leading countries in attracting, holding, and developing international sports events, including both elite and broad events.

“Aarhus has distinguished itself in recent decades by hosting many international sailing events together with Sailing Aarhus, and Sport Event Denmark. The list includes European and World Championships in Soling, Yngling, 505, Laser/Laser Radial, 470, 49, 49FX and Nacra17. Aarhus played host to the World Championship for all Olympic boat classes in 2018, a fly-by during the last edition of The Ocean Race in 2018, the SailGP in 2021, and the European Championships for three Olympic boat classes in July 2022. We all have an obligation to operate sustainably and Sport Event Denmark strives to contribute with the insights from the many events staged in Denmark – testing new ways to stage the events with the maximum positive impact possible,” says Lars Lundov, CEO, Sport Event Denmark.

Editor’s Note:

Aarhus is the first Danish stopover in the 50-year race history.

Sailing Aarhus and Aarhus International Sailing Center are key partners in the project.

Among the public partners are Aarhus Municipality, Sport Event Denmark, and Capital Denmark Region.

The Aarhus-based IT company Trifork is the official Stopover Presenting Partner.

Salling Fondene supports the public celebration of sailing.

The Ocean Race 2023:

• Alicante, Spain – start 15 January

Capo Verde – start 25 January

• Cape Town, South Africa – start 26 February
• Itajai, Brazil – start April 23
• Newport, USA – start 21 May
• Aarhus, Denmark – start 8 June
• Kiel, Germany – Fly-by June 9
• The Hague, Netherlands – Start June 15
• Genoa, Italy – grand finale, end of June

Photos for editorial use only: Credit Sailing Energy/The Ocean Race.

Grand Départ  – Copenhagen, Denmark demonstrates the power of events

Press Release

This year’s Tour de France started in Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, when the teams were presented in front of 10,000 cheering fans and it ended with Jonas Vingegaard returning triumphantly dressed in yellow.

Vingegaard however, is not the only Dane thinking back at Tour de France with fond memories. A new report shows how the Danish Grand Départ had great impact both in terms of tourism income, exposure, and not least in engaging the whole nation.

From the 1.665.789 spectators for the three Tour de France stages in Denmark, the 722.167 where tourists, both domestic and internationals, spending more the 100 mio. euros.

The event also generated massive media attention with Denmark and Tour de France mentioned together in 80,000 editorial articles from June 2021 to July 2022.

“For us Tour de France was an engine boosting our focus on promoting everyday cycling and showcasing the infrastructure solutions we have in Copenhagen. And these numbers just show what a powerful platform a major event can be. We have hosted major medias from all over the world, including the The Guardian, Le Monde, and The Times returning home sharing stories showing the transformation bike infrastructure can do for a city and how it helps Copenhagen to become a healthier, cleaner, and less congested city, says Lars Vallentin, senior manager at Wonderful Copenhagen, the Official Destination Management Organisation of Copenhagen.

However, the biggest success of the Danish tour start was probably the enormous local engagement and the many projects, carried out in relation to Copenhagen and Denmark hosting the Tour de France – Grand Départ. The last 100 days before the event, a total of 744 Tour de France related events were carried out all over Denmark engaging everything from schools to shops and even a hospice, where the visitors helped knit an enormous yellow jersey.

Sport Event Denmark are very happy for the huge impact of Tour de France in Denmark and believe this is the perfect platform for attracting big events for the future.

“We must take advantage of the fact that we have created such a strong image of our unique cycling DNA and hosting role in Denmark. We at Sport Event Denmark dream of Denmark hosting even more big cycling events. The UCI Road World Championships could be an option. Denmark successfully staged the event in 2011 so why not repeat it with the insights we have now from the staging of the Grand Départ Tour de France?” says Lars Lundov, CEO, Sport Event Denmark.

Lundov and Vallentin both points to the close collaboration with the rights holders, ASO, as an important part of the Danish success bringing the event to live all over Denmark with everything from bike shops and bakers to events using the official city dressing. A design developed in collaboration with the French organization. A partnership which helped create an unprecedented celebration of everyday cycling and Denmark as a cycling nation and destination.

PRESS RELEASE

This week, the Capital of Para Sport, Vejle in Denmark hosted the 2022 Wheelchair Rugby World Championship. 46 matches, enthusiastic crowds on the stands, world-class livestreaming, and a vibrant fan zone were the ingredients in a recipe for success.

Tight matches throughout the tournament led to the crowning of the new world champions from Australia.

Vejle has positioned itself as the Capital of Para Sports, with the Wheelchair Rugby European Championship in 2019 and the Worlds this year. Building on previous event staging experiences was a huge advantage to the tournament.

The national federation, Parasport Denmark, the host city Vejle, and Sport Event Denmark organized the event for World Wheelchair Rugby.

• When I arrived it was clear that the city of Vejle was ready to receive wheelchair rugby and what a week it has been.  The reason why we were there was for the athletes, and everything was arranged around them, to make sure their experience was world-class. The pinnacle of this was the field of play and seeing the way that Athletes were presented onto the court set the scene for what has been some of the best competition to date. It is well known within events that it is the volunteers who make everything special. I can’t thank them enough for making our time here so unique and for helping us create lasting memories of what I must declare as the best World Championship to date. The final congratulations go to our new World Champion, Australia, our silver medalist USA, and bronze medalist Japan, says Richard Allcroft, president, World Wheelchair Rugby

• It has been an unforgettable week in Vejle. The sporting level in wheelchair rugby has been higher than ever, and the Danish national team rolled into the absolute world elite with a historic result. At the same time, it makes me incredibly proud that World Wheelchair Rugby has trusted to stage these Worlds. Together with Vejle Municipality and Sport Event Denmark, we have managed to raise the level for both athletes, officials, and the audience. The support for the national team, and parasport on home ground in Vejle has once again been incredible, says chairman of Parasport Denmark, John Petersson.

• Vejle in Denmark has been in the spotlight over the summer. The Grand Depart Tour de France, the World Orienteering Championships, and this week’s Wheelchair Rugby World Championships. And Denmark is more than ready to welcome the World of Sport back to festive celebrations of sports. We are currently looking into other attractive sporting and parasport events, says Lars Lundov, CEO, Sport Event Denmark

• We have had a fantastic Wheelchair Rugby World Championship this week in the capital of Parasport with exciting matches and great support from many locals.  I am happy that several of the municipality’s schools, residences, and businesses have visited. With many spectators in the venue, we have succeeded in giving both citizens, and the national team great experiences in Spektrum. A big thank you to Parasport Denmark, and Sport Event Denmark for the collaboration and WWR for trusting Vejle to host the event, says Jens Ejner Christensen, Mayor, Vejle.

Facts

• 12 nations (Great Britain, USA, France, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, and Denmark)
• 46 matches – livestreaming of all matches
• All Denmark matches and finals on broadcast television in Denmark
• Gold: Australia
  Silver: USA
  Bronze: Japan
• More than 10,000 spectators over the week and a completely sold-out venue the weekend’s
• Fan zone every day from 8am to 8 pm
• Paramekka (expo area) with 5 companies within para business and 8 para clubs.
• School Exercise Day/National Health Day with students from the local area and visits from 18 different schools
• 80 volunteers
• Vejle has hosted 2015 European Para Table Tennis, 2019 IWRF Wheelchair Rugby European Championship. Vejle has 55 para sport activities for people with disabilities and mental health issues.
• Denmark has hosted 5 wheelchair rugby championships: Worlds: 2014 & 2022. European: 2005,2009, 2019

Best Championship to date: Wheelchair Rugby World Championship in Denmark

This week, the Capital of Para Sport, Vejle in Denmark hosted the 2022 Wheelchair Rugby World Championship. 46 matches, enthusiastic crowds on the stands, world-class livestreaming, and a vibrant fan zone were the ingredients in a recipe for success.

Tight matches throughout the tournament led to the crowning of the new world champions from Australia.

Vejle has positioned itself as the Capital of Para Sports, with the Wheelchair Rugby European Championship in 2019 and the Worlds this year. Building on previous event staging experiences was a huge advantage to the tournament.

The national federation, Parasport Denmark, the host city Vejle, and Sport Event Denmark organized the event for World Wheelchair Rugby.

• When I arrived it was clear that the city of Vejle was ready to receive wheelchair rugby and what a week it has been.  The reason why we were there was for the athletes, and everything was arranged around them, to make sure their experience was world-class. The pinnacle of this was the field of play and seeing the way that Athletes were presented onto the court set the scene for what has been some of the best competition to date. It is well known within events that it is the volunteers who make everything special. I can’t thank them enough for making our time here so unique and for helping us create lasting memories of what I must declare as the best World Championship to date. The final congratulations go to our new World Champion, Australia, our silver medalist USA, and bronze medalist Japan, says Richard Allcroft, president, World Wheelchair Rugby

• It has been an unforgettable week in Vejle. The sporting level in wheelchair rugby has been higher than ever, and the Danish national team rolled into the absolute world elite with a historic result. At the same time, it makes me incredibly proud that World Wheelchair Rugby has trusted to stage these Worlds. Together with Vejle Municipality and Sport Event Denmark, we have managed to raise the level for both athletes, officials, and the audience. The support for the national team, and parasport on home ground in Vejle has once again been incredible, says chairman of Parasport Denmark, John Petersson.

• Vejle in Denmark has been in the spotlight over the summer. The Grand Depart Tour de France, the World Orienteering Championships, and this week’s Wheelchair Rugby World Championships. And Denmark is more than ready to welcome the World of Sport back to festive celebrations of sports. We are currently looking into other attractive sporting and parasport events, says Lars Lundov, CEO, Sport Event Denmark

• We have had a fantastic Wheelchair Rugby World Championship this week in the capital of Parasport with exciting matches and great support from many locals.  I am happy that several of the municipality’s schools, residences, and businesses have visited. With many spectators in the venue, we have succeeded in giving both citizens, and the national team great experiences in Spektrum. A big thank you to Parasport Denmark, and Sport Event Denmark for the collaboration and WWR for trusting Vejle to host the event, says Jens Ejner Christensen, Mayor, Vejle.

Facts

• 12 nations (Great Britain, USA, France, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, and Denmark)
• 46 matches – livestreaming of all matches
• All Denmark matches and finals on broadcast television in Denmark
• Gold: Australia
  Silver: USA
  Bronze: Japan
• More than 10,000 spectators over the week and a completely sold-out venue the weekend’s
• Fan zone every day from 8am to 8 pm
• Paramekka (expo area) with 5 companies within para business and 8 para clubs.
• School Exercise Day/National Health Day with students from the local area and visits from 18 different schools
• 80 volunteers
• Vejle has hosted 2015 European Para Table Tennis, 2019 IWRF Wheelchair Rugby European Championship. Vejle has 55 para sport activities for people with disabilities and mental health issues.
• Denmark has hosted 5 wheelchair rugby championships: Worlds: 2014 & 2022. European: 2005,2009, 2019