In August, Bodø/Glimt’s board made a historic decision to transform Thalleveiåkeren, located just outside central Bodø, into a modern stadium with a 10,000-seat capacity. The move comes after months of financial analyses, architectural consultations, and discussions with club members, who held the decisive vote on the investment.

Arctic Arena – a modern arena for continued growth

On 11 September, the club held an extraordinary general meeting to approve the board’s decision. Of 192 voting members, only one opposed the project. Chairman Inge Henning Andersen called the result an incredible decision, opening the door to further club growth and future steps.

The new stadium, named Arctic Arena, will meet all UEFA requirements and feature full facilities for players, fans, and media. Construction is set to begin in mid-October 2025, with completion planned for August 2027. With a capacity of 10,000, the arena will raise the standard of sports infrastructure in the region and support the club’s development in domestic and European competitions.

Vegard Storvik, CEO of Molde Fotball and project manager for Arctic Arena through Advansia, emphasized that the investment is crucial not only for Bodø/Glimt but for Norwegian football as a whole. He added that Arctic Arena could set a new benchmark for football stadiums in Norway.

© Nordic Office of Architecture

Preparations underway for construction start

The club has also begun preparatory work, removing the topsoil on the future stadium site to allow construction to start this fall. Bodø/Glimt plans to contribute over NOK 100 million to the project and secure a major loan as part of the financing plan.

CEO Frode Thomassen described the board’s decision as a turning point, noting that Arctic Arena will become one of the most important projects in the club’s history. The stadium is expected to become a hub for sports and cultural events, contributing to the growth of Bodø’s local community and economy.

Financial controversy…

According to the board, 78% of the funding is already secured, with total costs estimated at NOK 1.15–1.26 billion. The funds come from club contributions, private investors, and partial municipal support. The land for Arctic Arena was purchased for NOK 81 million, with NOK 40 million returned as a grant for stadium construction. Bodø/Glimt also secured an option to buy part of Aspmyra from the city for NOK 10 million, with an additional NOK 24 million earmarked for upgrading training facilities.

Some local politicians, including members of the Rødt party, have criticized the use of public funds for the stadium amid cuts to transport, social services, and education. According to an NRK survey, 45% of Nordland residents oppose the grant. Mayor Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen emphasized that the city did not contribute public funds directly to construction and described the Aspmyra deals as a financial strategy to free resources for other projects.

© Nordic Office of Architecture

…and local support

Several local business figures, including long-time Glimt sponsor Benn Eidissen, fully back the project, citing its potential to boost the city’s development and generate additional revenue for tourism and hospitality. Bodø/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen acknowledged that financing the stadium raises questions but stressed that the club must be ready to face financial challenges and adapt to changing circumstances.