Sport and leisure
Denmark has a long-standing tradition for popular involvement in leisure, but Aarhus is also Denmark’s number one city for sporting events. With its many activities and initiatives – from those organised by local associations to major international elite-level sporting events – the Department of Sport and Leisure is putting Aarhus on the map with major sporting events. Read more about Sport and Leisure Policy in Aarhus.
Danish associations and sports
Under the slogan ‘Increasing the city’s pulse’ (‘Vi giver byen puls’), the Department of Sport and Leisure is signalling that it is creating the right framework for the city’s citizens to lead an active life, either as members of associations or by being involved in sports activities. At the moment, the department is focusing on four areas: Active participation, attractive facilities, elite-level sport environments and sporting events.
Focus on elite athletes
Elite Sport Aarhus was established in 2001 to promote and support elite sports in Aarhus at a high national and international level. The foundation supports initiatives aimed at elite athletes and talent development in the local elite sports clubs, partly by supporting the clubs’ own initiatives and partly by supporting the elite sports academy in Aarhus (Elite Sports Akademi Aarhus (ESAA)), where pupils from year 14 and upwards can go to school and pursue elite-level sports at the same time. At the moment, ESAA is attended by more than 5,000 athletes from more than 14 different types of sports.
Attracting sporting events
As one of the first cities in Denmark to do so, Aarhus created a special events pool and established the association Sport Aarhus Events. Sport Aarhus Events has attracted many major national as well as international sporting events to Aarhus, including the 2006 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, the Women’s European Handball Championship 2010, the final round of the UEFA Under-21 European Football Championship 2011, the Men’s European Volleyball Championships 2013, the Men’s European Handball Championship 2014, multiple international sailing championships in the period 2011-2013 and multiple sports dance championships until 2017.
Read more about Sport Aarhus Events
Movement for all
The ‘City in movement’ project (‘By i bevægelse’) offers, for example, rhythmic and swimming classes for babies. The activities take place at Gellerupbadet, Lyseng Svømmebad and Aarhus Svømmestadion.
The multi-activity centre Globus1 is a meeting place for people of all ages, genders and nationalities, and a venue for a variety of recreational and cultural activities. Globus1 is located in Gellerup, an urban district with a large proportion of non-ethnic Danes. At Globus1, you will find activities such as sports events, conferences, exhibitions and concerts.
In addition, Aarhus has a number of running courses, outdoor fitness parks, swimming baths, skating rinks, playgrounds, football grounds, marinas as well as facilities for tennis, riding, golf, kayaking, sailing and so on.
The Department of Sport and Leisure creates the framework for an active life for the city’s citizens. By focusing on active participation and attractive facilities, the city of Aarhus offers a wide selection of both recreational and sports activities for everyone.
Contact
Sport and Leisure
Culture and Citizen Service
Vestergade 55, 2. sal. Postboks 619
8000 Aarhus C
Phone: +45 89 40 20 00
E-mail: sport-fritid@aarhus.dk