Bodo, a small town above the Arctic Circle in Norway, has pulled off a monumental upset in football. As for Norway, Bodo/Glimt have just become the first ever club from that country to reach the semi-finals of a European competition! That spectacular success followed an equally spectacular semi-final win against Lazio at Rome’s Olimpico Stadium on penalties. The team is surging forward on its European campaign. In the meantime, loyal supporters are facing exorbitant travel costs to follow their team to away games.
Bodo’s recent run through European football has inspired its supporters on several trips this season, including to Rome, Athens, Twente, and Braga. Getting to these destinations is no easy task. It’s a big ask, particularly for a place that lies the equivalent of a 17 hour drive from Norway’s capital. Inadequate train services have only added to the travel burden. For those same soccer supporters, their local airport is quickly becoming the easiest gateway to Europe.
Rising Travel Costs for Supporters
Bodo’s loyal fans are reaching way down into their wallets to support their club. One giddy supporter even shared that they had dropped as much as 30,000 Norwegian crowns (~$2,900) on a recent trip. That comes to an average of $2,879 to watch Bodo/Glimt host Lazio. As they head into an away game at north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, supporters are fearfully preparing for even more expensive prices.
As local supporter Frank Amundsen pointed out, the price is a heavy one for many potential fans to pay.
“We’re talking about a few hundred thousand (in travel expenses) over the past few years,” – Frank Amundsen
Logistics are doable, he said, transport and accommodation are manageable with planning. Other expenses, with the exception of requiring a tux or gown, add up quickly.
“Transport and accommodation do not have to be too expensive if you are flexible and plan ahead, but that usually only covers about half the budget once you factor in food and drinks,” – Frank Amundsen
Impact on Local Travel Infrastructure
This rapid increase in travel has been a huge challenge for local governments to keep up. Avinor, the government enterprise that operates Bodo Airport, has seen a consistent increase in passenger traffic in recent years. Troels Sandreid, aviation spokesperson for Avinor, understood the link between Bodo/Glimt’s sporting success and the subsequent rise in airport traffic.
“Bodo/Glimt’s journey in Europe has undoubtedly helped increase interest in Bodo, including traffic to and from the airport,” – Troels Sandreid
He conceded that it’s challenging to pinpoint the specific drivers of growth in passenger traffic. When pressed on what’s fueling the rise, he says the football club’s success has made a much bigger impact.
“It’s natural to imagine that Bodo/Glimt’s success is a contributing factor,” – Troels Sandreid
As Bodo is indeed remote, there can be some travel hurdles. With the exception of Munich, you’ll be hard-pressed to find direct flights from outside the Nordic countries. Even with the venues not being close, traveling to Oslo—more than 800 kilometers away—means fans would still have to purchase and book domestic flights from Bodo Airport.
The Financial Toll of Loyal Support
Bodo/Glimt has made its mark on European football. The increasing financial burden on its supporters is prompting fears that the club isn’t sustainable in perpetuity. Lost travel expenses in the past few years alone are projected to amount to several hundred thousand Norwegian crowns spread over the disappointed fans. This financial burden highlights the important balance that fans want to support their team while balancing their own financial bottom line.
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