Tradition and Transformation in Denmark

Abstract

This country-specific chapter seeks to explore football in Denmark. We start by examining the early years of football, starting from the 1870s. From there, we present decisive landmarks for the understanding of Danish football, leading up to insights into the current state of play. Overall, we conclude that Danish football is characterised by four unique traits: firstly, organised club football is based on an autonomous associative decentral democratic structure incorporating clubs, regional county unions, the League Association, the Women's League Association and the national Danish Football Association; secondly, a large number of grassroots clubs, financially dependent on regional municipalities, are spread around the country; thirdly, late professionalism, beginning from 1978, due to Danish sport and culture policy; and fourthly, the creation of a certain business model of professional football, including talent development, engaging sponsors, floating shares, facilities and stadium development, and diversification.