Parken to Become a Beacon of Green Transition – F.C. Copenhagen and Andel in New Partnership

🇩🇰 Du finder den danske version af denne artikel her.

The commercial success continues at Parken Copenhagen. Today, we can announce that F.C. Copenhagen is expanding its group of Main Partners with the energy company Andel, which becomes the fifth in the lineup (editor’s note: the others are Unibet, Adidas, Carlsberg, and 3) and enters into a groundbreaking partnership.

The agreement, the first of its kind in Scandinavia, aims to make Parken a beacon of green transition.

The collaboration will initially run for five years and includes extensive energy renovations as well as the implementation of new sustainable solutions at Denmark’s national stadium. Additionally, Andel will feature prominently on the front of the women’s team’s jerseys—an important step for both women’s football and the company’s commitment to equal opportunities for children and young people.

We visited Parken to learn more about the agreement from F.C. Copenhagen’s Commercial Director, Mikkel Grove Lindsted. Further down in this article, you’ll find reactions from Andel and an overview of the key elements of the deal.

F.C. Copenhagen’s Commercial Director, Mikkel Grove Lindsted

Mikkel, you are moving from having four to now five “Main Partners.” What were the considerations behind this decision, and what does it signify?

“If we were a traditional football club with standard partnerships, this would mean that the value for each individual partner would decrease significantly. But that’s not the case here.

When we extended our agreements with Unibet, adidas, and Carlsberg last January, the deals became both larger and more comprehensive. At the same time, we were in discussions about the possibility of a fifth partner and how this could create additional value for all parties. The green transition affects us all, so it was only natural to bring in a partner who could help rethink extensive energy renovations and new green solutions in Parken.

Many of our partners already have a green agenda—for example, through their work with regenerative raw materials, just to name one example.”

As I understand it, there are two agreements: one partnership within the F.C. Copenhagen/Parken framework and another for your women’s team. Can you elaborate on the latter?

“That’s correct. In fact, the agreement for the women’s team has been in place for some time. It’s a long-term collaboration with many complex details that had to be finalized. This is one of the most intricate agreements I’ve ever worked on. Initially, it’s a five-year deal, which shows the strong mutual belief in each other and the project as a whole.

Specifically, Andel will be featured on the front of the women’s jerseys, but there will also be a range of initiatives aimed at improving opportunities for women and girls in football.

In short, this partnership will play a crucial role in creating a real breakthrough for women’s football in Denmark. Andel saw this as a perfect opportunity that aligned with their own values. One of them is that children and young people deserve to grow up in a world with equal opportunities. Together, we aim to be a driving force for that.”

So, if we stay on the topic of women’s football for a moment—what is the current status from your commercial perspective?

“The momentum is still very strong. We have a number of initiatives ready to further enhance the experience of watching the women’s team play, and we look forward to rolling them out in collaboration with our partners. F.C. Copenhagen’s women’s team has its own distinct platform, separate from the men’s team, and it is crucial for the club to welcome new partners specifically for the women’s team.

We don’t have anything to compare ourselves to, so now is the time to prove that this isn’t just a ‘honeymoon phase,’ but that we can maintain stable growth. A great example is jersey sales. The current women’s jersey has outsold those of any other Superliga club, and it will be exciting to follow up on that this summer.

Additionally, we have a major international media partnership on the way—just to give you a little teaser. I look forward to sharing more about that soon.”

If we move on to your energy partnership – what does it entail?

“The green transition is a major focus for our city, and in our strategy ‘We Are Copenhagen,’ it is clear that we want to be an even bigger part of the city and take our share of the responsibility.

But you don’t just make Parken green overnight. Real expertise is needed, and that’s where partnerships come in.

So honestly, I couldn’t dream of a better partnership than with Denmark’s leading energy company. It’s exactly like with our other partners – Carlsberg takes us into the city, adidas takes us into Europe. Andel makes us greener, and so on.”

Can you mention some concrete initiatives?

“There are a lot of things happening. But the most obvious one is that Parken will now be powered by Andel’s solar park in Vedde. (Editor’s note: Insert details here.) At the same time, Parken will serve as a showcase and development hub for Andel’s solutions.

Additionally, we are building one of Copenhagen’s largest publicly accessible charging parks, making it easier for both Parken visitors and local residents to charge their electric vehicles. These are just two examples of initiatives that will already be realized in the first phase of the partnership. But the ambition is to develop a range of solutions that will turn Denmark’s national stadium into a beacon for the green transition. That is absolutely the goal.”

You often use the word “responsibility” – what responsibility do you feel you have toward the city?

“I feel we have a responsibility to be the most ambitious and to contribute wherever we can. It’s part of our DNA. We must take responsibility on a local level, but also help influence people’s habits and lives in a positive way.

That’s why we’ve also launched the ‘ForKBH’ initiative, which clearly outlines the efforts F.C. Copenhagen is making for the city, for society, and for the people of Copenhagen. In these areas, action is what truly matters.”

Andel’s CEO, Jesper Hjulmand:

“Our goal is to make Denmark’s national stadium a beacon for the green transition, where innovative energy solutions lead the way in showing how sports and climate action can go hand in hand. With football being a central part of Danish culture, we have a unique opportunity to inspire both businesses and fans to actively engage in the green transition. Through our energy partnership, we demonstrate that the fight against climate change is not only a necessity but also an opportunity to create a greener future for all.”

Regarding Andel’s engagement with F.C. Copenhagen’s women’s team, Rikke Trikker, Communications Director at Andel, says:

“All children and young people deserve to grow up in a world with equal opportunities – even on the football pitch. But change doesn’t happen on its own,” she says, continuing:

“Change requires brave role models who dare to lead, break boundaries, and inspire others to follow. This applies both in sports and in the green transition. In a short time, F.C. Copenhagen’s Lionesses have created new idols and shown thousands of girls and women that they belong in football’s community. With this partnership, we are taking a decisive step to strengthen women’s football, open the doors to even more, and build strong communities – both on and off the pitch.”

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