Copenhagen has never hosted the Olympic Games. For a long time, the Danish capital never even considered it, believing the event to be beyond its reach. Too big, too expensive. But the new deal rolled out by the IOC is now giving it ants in its pants. In September 2024, the city council voted a budget of 500.000 kroner (around €67.000 at the current exchange rate) to study the feasibility of a bid for the 2036 Summer Games. This project is accompanied by another, more modest one, to host the Youth Games in 2030 or 2034.
Meanwhile, Copenhagen is expanding its roster of past (the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2022) and upcoming (the World Athletics Road Race Championships in 2026) sporting events by playing another card: esports. Lars Vallentin Christensen, one of the experts at Wonderful Copenhagen, the public entity in charge of bidding for and organizing international events, explained this week to delegates attending the smartcities & sport Summit in Seoul (October 20-22): Denmark is banking on gaming.
The springboard for Gaming Week
Copenhagen approached this new playing field cautiously at first, before taking a more serious stab at the market. It tried its luck in 2017, organizing the BLAST Pro Series three years in a row. The experience was deemed conclusive. In 2024, it ramped up its efforts again with the first edition of Gaming Week. A success.
The second edition this year broke all the records: 23.000 visitors, a 90% increase compared to the previous year, more than 1,8 million people reached via social networks, more than 150 exhibitors gathered on 25.000 m² dedicated to the event. Gaming Week has already established itself as one of the most important eSports events in the Nordic countries., says Lars Vallentin Christensen. It has something for everyone: from hardcore gamers to families and young enthusiasts.. " Next February, the organizers hope to attract 30.000 visitors.
Why gaming? Easy answer: to reach as many people as possible. Gaming is for everyone, explained Lars Vallentin Christensen at the smartcities & sport Summit in Seoul. From the very beginning, we wanted to create an inclusive event, like a festival, where everyone feels welcome. An event that could bring together diverse and complementary audiences. »
Beyond that, the Danish capital aims to establish itself as a market powerhouse, initially on a Scandinavian scale, and then globally. To achieve this, it intends to explore all facets of gaming culture, including the development of female participation, its educational virtues, and its benefits for treating certain brain disabilities, including autism and attention deficit disorder.
While awaiting a possible Olympic bid, Copenhagen is looking to broaden its range. By fully embracing the virtual world, it's not straying far from its target. In an Olympic Movement where eSports are now welcomed with open arms, it could even strengthen its case. The IOC will appreciate that.
