Women's national team matches in the Parken Stadium is bad business for the Danish FA

There were plenty of empty seats in the Parken Stadium on Saturday
There were plenty of empty seats in the Parken Stadium on SaturdayCredit: Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard Berg/NurPhoto / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

Scheduling matches for the Danish women's national team to take place in the Parken stadium is bad business for the Danish FA if there isn't more spectators in the stands than what was the case on Saturday evening when Denmark faced Italy in a crucial qualifying match for the World Cup.

There were 12,000 spectators in the Parken Stadium for the Danish women's national team's World Cup qualifying match against Italy on Saturday.

But more are needed if the matches themselves are to make a profit, says DBU director Erik Broegger.

However, the Danish FA remains hopeful that it is possible to plan one visit for the women's national team to the national arena once a year, provided it can be arranged alongside other activities in the arena and an attractive match. 

However, it will still be bad business for the Danish in terms of the financial deficit from these matches. 

"We would also have had a financial deficit with 15,000 spectators and probably also with 20,000 spectators", says Erik Broegger to Ritzau.

He calls it a conscious decision to accept the financial loss.

"It is an investment we are making. We have some money, we are investing in the team - both in better facilities, increased fees, a larger staff, and in professionalizing the entire setup. Some of the money also goes to investing in the fan experience and good stadium experiences."

Denmark and Italy shared the spoils in a goalless draw on Saturday, which means Denmark is still in pole position to qualify for the Women's World Cup next year in Brazil with just two matches left in the qualifying group.