AGF Management Expresses Discontent with Proposed Savings for New Stadium

The management of AGF is expressing dissatisfaction with the cost-saving proposals presented on Monday by a steering committee from the Aarhus municipality regarding the ongoing construction of the new stadium.

Earlier this year, politicians unveiled plans to save 21 million Danish kroner (approximately €2.8 million) from the substantial stadium project. However, they are still facing a shortfall of 35 million Danish kroner (around €4.7 million) needed to ensure financial stability, following revelations that the project, initially estimated to cost about 750 million Danish kroner (roughly €100 million), will now exceed that by an additional 250 million Danish kroner (approximately €33 million).

The steering committee has proposed several cost-cutting measures, including reducing the number of seats, diminishing the quality of seating, altering design features of the stadium structure, and changing the types of flooring used.

Furthermore, there is growing speculation that the construction may not be completed by the projected deadline at the beginning of 2027, alongside concerns regarding the provision of adequate parking spaces.

“We fully understand the challenges surrounding the project’s current status, which is why we have contributed significantly more to the financing of the city’s new stadium over the last two years than initially agreed upon.”

“However, we are incurring substantial operational losses due to these delays, for which we bear no responsibility. Our concern about the implications of this situation is growing. It is becoming untenable for us as both a football club and a business,” state AGF management in a letter addressed to Aarhus Stiftstidende.

The AGF management is worried that any reduction in seating capacity for football matches and concerts, failure to meet promised parking conditions, and deterioration in the quality of various VIP area facilities—such as seating, design elements, and technical installations—would adversely impact the club’s business model.

The AGF management has firmly stated that they will not accept any aspects of the savings plan and emphasised that any cost reductions and subsequent declines in quality must also be reflected in the yet-to-be-finalised lease agreement between the municipality and AGF.