Gothia Cup wants to increase the capacity of SKF Arena

SKF has extended its sponsorship of Gothia Cup and will continue as main partner. Together, they are now looking into how to develope the cooperation for the next three years. Both parties priority is to increase the capacity of SKF Arena at Heden 2020.

SKF has been involved with Gothia Cup since 2006, becoming main partner in 2007. Over the last seven years, SKF Arena, the main arena during the tournament, has grown into a real favourite among the Gothenburg citizens as well as the Gothia Cup participants.

This summer the attendence hit all records, with matches played in front of a full house every day during the tournament. Gothia Cup and SKF are now looking into the possibility to extend SKF Arena, to increase the capacity.

”Since we can offer top quality youth football in the city center of Gothenburg, we also want to be able to offer the possibility to all interested to come and watch. This year, SKF Arena was full during several matches, with lots of people gathering outside the arena, who wanted to enter the stands to watch the matches. Therefore, we need to look into if there is a possibility to increase the capacity next year”, Competition Director Niclas Freiholtz says.

In addition to being main partner, SKF will continue with its SKF Meet the World tournaments. Through 25 local qualifying tournaments, SKF Meet the World gives children from different backgrounds the opportunity to travel to Sweden to participate in Gothia Cup. Since its inception, approximately 5000 children have been afforded this opportunity. 

Alrik Danielson, President and CEO, says: “Gothia Cup is one of the world’s largest sporting events and a great way for use to showcase our support for young people and the city of Gothenburg. We will continue to invest in this great event and look forward to welcoming youngsters to Sweden.”

Dennis Andersson, General Secretary of Gothia Cup, says: “SKF contributes with their genuine support which adds in spreading the Gothia Cup spirit about joyfulness and equality around the world in general, and in creating the world’s largest meeting place for youth in particular through the SKF Meet the World tournaments. We are delighted to look forward to spending another three years together with SKF as our main partner.”

Next year, Gothia Cup will take place from 12–18 July.