Bodø/Glimt start building 10,000-seat Arctic Arena

Bodø/Glimt have begun work on the Arctic Arena, a new 10,000-capacity stadium project they are positioning as a step-change for their commercial platform and their ability to host UEFA-standard matches.The venue is scheduled to be completed in 2027 and is intended to replace Aspmyra Stadion, their current home, which has a capacity of 8,270 after recent upgrades.Club chief executive Frode Thomassen said: “This is a defining moment for Bodø/Glimt, for our supporters and for the whole region.“The start of construction of our new arena is much more than the beginning of a building project. It is a statement about who we are, what we have built together, and where we want to go.“This arena will be the future home of Bodø/Glimt and a place that reflects the ambition, energy and unity that have driven this club’s remarkable journey.”The club has linked the timing and confidence around delivery to its growing European profile, with recent performances increasing visibility, partner appeal and revenue potential.They have also described the stadium as a wider regional investment, aimed at creating a new meeting place for supporters, partners and the local community rather than a match-only venue.Construction supply chain planning is already active, with Nordec contracted to design, manufacture and install the stadium’s main load-bearing steel structures as part of a delivery involving contractor partners in Norway.Nordec said the project is designed as a multi-purpose venue for football and other events, with a diamond-inspired roof and façade concept and flexible internal spaces intended to support year-round activity.Bodø/Glimt have also used supporter participation as a funding and engagement tool through the “Glimt-steinen” initiative, which allows fans to buy an engraved stone that will be laid at the main entrance of the new stadium.The club has extended the programme to businesses, offering corporate stones that can include a company logo and personalised engraving, effectively turning the stadium’s public realm into a long-term recognition asset for local partners.Sustainability is part of the project narrative, with previous planning signalling ambitions around circular operations, including waste and heat recovery, and targeting a high-level BREEAM certification approach.The commercial upside is clear for a club operating above the Arctic Circle where demand regularly strains existing capacity and where a modern venue can unlock premium seating, hospitality and events inventory that is difficult to scale at Aspmyra.Next steps focus on keeping build milestones on track while turning the stadium story into sponsorship, community and events programming that can begin generating value before the first match is played.