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Danish football chiefs back Telia Parken expansion

Denmark’s national football federation is to take an active role in the redevelopment of Copenhagen’s Telia Parken and the construction of a new stadium in Aarhus as it targets bids for international tournaments.

The Danish Football Union’s (DBU) board has agreed to help shape plans to modernise Telia Parken, the Copenhagen arena that has been the home of the national team since it opened in its current guise in 1992. It will work alongside the City of Copenhagen and Parken Sport & Entertainment in their bid to modernise the stadium’s framework and facilities.

The board’s announcement comes after the DBU last year said that Denmark needs a 50,000-seat stadium in an effort to keep up with developments in other European nations. After months of consultations with a number of municipalities, companies and organisations, DBU has opted to pursue a redevelopment plan at the 38,000-capacity arena, which will host four games at next year’s Euro 2020 competition.

“We already have a fine dialogue with the City of Copenhagen and Parken Sport & Entertainment and with the decision of the board can now become more concrete in relation to examining the possibilities for a modernisation and possible expansion of Telia Parken potentially with room for 50,000 spectators,” said Jesper Møller, DBU’s chairman.

“We would like to be able to offer European Championship and World Cup hosting for women in 2025 and 2027, but we also prioritise sustainability, so that stadiums are used by national teams, club teams and for other activities. We want the best for players, fans and not least Danish football, and we believe we can succeed with this model.”

The DBU said it will contribute to an analysis of the possibility of modernising the Telia Parken – which is also the home of FC Copenhagen – when it comes to spectator facilities, VIP sections as well as the conditions for players and other staff around major events.

“As the owner, Parken Sport & Entertainment will have the final decision-making power, but DBU’s board has decided to offer to be an active party in the work,” DBU added in a statement.

In its plans for a bigger stadium in Copenhagen that were unveiled last year, DBU said it was open to either building a new stadium, or redeveloping Telia Parken or Brøndby Stadion.

At the time it also said that a 25,000-capacity stadium was required elsewhere in the country, and it has now given its backing to a new arena in Aarhus that should be built by 2025.

DBU said the stadium would fulfil UEFA’s requirements for international competitions and would allow Danish national teams to play matches in the country’s second largest city.

Møller added: “It is crucial to have a new and modern stadium with the possibility of room for 25,000 spectators if we are to be able to offer, for example, the European Championships and World Cup hosting for women in 2025 and 2027, and so that Aarhus also has the opportunity to form a framework for large football events for the joy and benefit of all.”

Image: DBU Communication