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Norwegian football in a nutshell

Written by Luca Krijgsman, 13 July 2023

Most European leagues are halfway during their summer break, but if you decide to travel up north, you can still see league football in these months. In Norway, with clubs like FK Bodø/Glimt and Rosenborg BK, you won't get bored.

Eliteserien

The name says it all, 'Eliteserien' is the top tier in Norwegian football. Unlike most leagues, it runs from April until November, because the pitches in Scandinavia are simply unplayable during the cold winters. Where it used to be Rosenborg BK that reigned the country for over 30 years, have now Molde FK and FK Bodø/Glimt taken over the baton, with the latter rising the most recently. A very welcome impulse - just like the rise of a certain Erling Haaland - because the football in Norway doesn't live that much. Stadiums aren't that well filled. On the other hand, the landscape of the nordic country is beautiful, and the location of some grounds are breath taking.

Ullevaal Stadium

Norway's biggest stadium is to be found in the capital, Oslo. The Ullevaal Stadium opened its doors in 1926, and used to be the home ground of the now-dissolved FC Lyn. Nowadays its the stadium where the national team of Norway plays its home games, with place for 25.572 fans. Besides, the Ullevaal also hosts some big international friendlies during the summer, with especially Manchester United being a regular visitor. Last year, they received Atlético Madrid here, and this week they battled Leeds United in the same stadium. In Ullevaal you'll also find the museum of Norwegian football, including a cool exposition about Norwegians in the Premier League. The stadium is located in the north of Oslo, and is reached by a 20 minute bus trip from the city centre.

Capital derbies

Besideds Vålerenga IF, the biggest from the capital, are there two other clubs of a certain stature around. In an Oslo suburb you'll find Stabaek Fotball, while in the nearby Lillestrøm the eponymous team does well in the Eliteserien. Matches between the teams are recognized as real derbies, with loads of banners, pyro and vocal support. Sometimes they take the rivalry a little bit too far, for example when the statue of Lillestrøm legend Tom Lund was beheaded by Vålerenga's ultras. There's a high speed train between Lillestrøm and Oslo, seperating the two cities only 10 minutes from each other.

Drammen

Drammen is a city 50 kilometers from Oslo, and is a modern town you can't skip on your Norway trip. It has got loads of camping sites, a beach close to the city centre and beautiful areas of nature around the city. Besides that it's also the city of birth of one of the most talented midfielders of the world: Arsenal man and Norway captain Martin Ødegaard has come through the youth ranks of Strømsgodset IF until Real Madrid recruited the youngster. Strømsgodset plays in the Marienlyst Stadium, a cosy ground with an amazing view of the mountains.

Bohemen Sportspub

In the heart of Oslo you'll find sports bar Bohemen, with a night club beneath it and a Chinese restaurant on op. In short, everything you need for a night of pleasure. The sports bar is decorated with flags and trophies of famous and less famous football teams, the beer is to Norwegian standards quite cheap and they have a great range of local specialty beers. It makes Bohemen a popular hang out for all types of football fans, but those from Vålerenga IF are seen the most here, and even players from the club seem to come by from time to time.

In the heart of nature: Bodø/Glimt

We've left the capital Oslo and traveled all up north, to Bodø. While the local team FK Bodø/Glimt has been booming over recent years, the town is still very small and the stadium not that special either. But the surroundings of the stadium are Norway on its best: Bodø is situated between snowy mountains and a raging sea banging on the rocks. On top of that, Bodø/Glimt are playing some of Scandinavia's best football, and makes the city a fun break on your way to the arctic.

Henningsvær, pure bucket list material

Even further north is Henningsvær located, a town with just 428 inhabitants on the island of Austvågøy. In the town is the Henningsvær Stadium to be found: A pitch on the most southern point of the island, surrounded by rocks. Not for from the North Pole with a wonderful view of the Norwegian Sea, it's without a doubt one of the most photogenic grounds of the world.

Rosenborg, the former powerhouse

Trondheim is a city where there's loads of football history to be found. Rosenborg BK is based here, the club that has reigned Norwegian football for decades, especially in the 90s. Also on. a European level they managed to make name for themselves, with wins over AC Milan, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. The club's Lerkendal Stadium just south from the city centre is the largest stadium in the Eliteserien, with every home game around 14.000 fans on the stands. The main rival is Molde BK, with matches between both teams being some of the most fierce ones in Norway.