Only 53,000 people live in the small Arctic city of Bodø – just enough to fill up a standard football stadium in Europe. Aspmyra, the home stadium, has space for just 8000 fans. There are no billionaires financing these players, just pure passion.
So how can a small team above the Arctic circle qualify for the best League in Europe? Is it the coastal landscape and harsh winds that made them strong? Is it the fresh water or access to sea food? Or is it the local people and culture that has bred these strong and talented players?
Owned by the members
Norwegian football club Bodø/Glimt brought UEFA Champions League north of the Arctic Circle for the very first time. The club’s success is not only a story about how greatness can grow in the most unlikely places, it’s also a story about a progressive city, full of determined and creative people. The city went wild when Glimt fulfilled its dream of making it to the UEFA Champions League.
Watch the film here: Bodø Glimt in Champions League
On the verge of bankrupcy
Back in 2010, the club was on the verge of bankruptcy, players sometimes went months without salary, and the Northern Norwegians were forced to get creative to save their favourite team.Locals roamed the city for empty bottles to collect for deposit money, fishermen donated fish to the club to sell for profit, the local handball team donated its ticket revenue to Bodø/Glimt, and a massive fundraising push was announced on the local radio.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the team stands as the richest club in the Norwegian league, all thanks to its focus on developing local players and sporting success.
Bodø is the second-biggest city in Northern Norway, located just north of the Arctic Circle.
In 2024, it was named European Capital of Culture.
Between early June and mid July, the midnight sun provides an amazing backdrop to the city. If you’re lucky, you may experience the northern lights in winter.
The city centre is within easy reach of many nature experiences, including several national parks and Saltraumen, the world’s strongest maelstrom.
The Nordland Railway line has its end station in Bodø, and the Norwegian Coastal Route Hurtigruten calls in the city every day. The airport is very close by, actually within walking distance of the city centre.
Whether you are a football fan or not– a warm welcome to Bodø!
