Denmark’s football association is accelerating a nationwide effort to build stronger football communities for children and teenagers, with a new regional center in Vejen to be formalized on Thursday and similar agreements advancing in other parts of the country.
Hele Danmarks Klubhus: A New Era for Youth Football
The initiative, called Hele Danmarks Klubhus, aims to improve young people’s well-being through playful football environments and supportive communities. Work has picked up since funding was secured earlier this year. The program rests on three pillars: Regional Football Centres, Future Football Clubs, and DBU Campus.
Nine Regional Football Centres are planned in Aalborg, Holstebro, Silkeborg, Vejen, Odense, Nykøbing Falster, Høje Taastrup, Copenhagen, and Rønne. These hubs are designed to inspire and connect clubs, coaches, volunteers, leaders, children, and youth, rooted in local settings with a focus on well-being and personal development. The first formal agreement was signed earlier this year with Aalborg Municipality. Vejen follows next, and DBU describes the additional green light as a key milestone, saying the centers will serve as regional gathering points for clubs, schools, institutions, and other local actors.
Construction of the Vejen center is expected to begin in the autumn, with an opening planned for autumn 2027.
In parallel, the Future Football Clubs track is moving ahead at the local level. The goal is to co-create motivating, diverse environments on and off the pitch, so children and young people grow both as players and as people. Its principles will be embedded in the regional centers once they open. Development will emphasize user involvement and testing with clubs and regional unions; after the summer break, the first pilot projects will start in several locations to trial new training formats, community activities, and development tools. Selection of pilot clubs is underway.
The third pillar, DBU Campus, will be built in Høje Taastrup as a national hub that connects all parts of Danish football from grassroots to national teams, featuring modern facilities. The target for completion is 2029.
The program runs through 2030. Funding partners include the LEGO Foundation and Lars Larsen Group for the Future Football Clubs track, and the A.P. Møller Support Fund for the Regional Football Centres. AP Ejendomme is investing in DBU Campus, with Scandic Hotel as operator for the hotel component. Across all three pillars, the overarching aim is to strengthen well-being through strong football communities, building on the existing strengths of Danish civic life, with the stated ambition of making Denmark one of the best places in the world to be a child.