REGIONAL PROFILES
NORDICS POPULATION: 5.6m (DK); 5.5m (FI); 5.3m (NO); 9.9m (SE) INTERNET USERS: 5.4m (DK); 5m (FI); 5m (NO); 8.9m (SE) GDP/CAPITA: €41,610 (DK); €37,323 (FI); €61,877 (NO); €44,376 (SE) ACTIVE SMARTPHONES: 7.3m (DK); 7.4m (FI); 5.8m (NO); 12.6m (SE)
D
espite their comparatively small population density, the Nordic countries have long been a must-stop on international tours. 2016 was a strong year financially and attendance-wise for the four countries that make up this bloc. This growth in entertainment is being catered for by an increasing number of arenas, which in turn, creates more competition. The arenas surveyed hosted a total of 551 events in 2016, worth €109.3million.
Attendance
Nordic venues surveyed had slightly above average total attendance levels with 5,842, compared with a survey average of 5,826. Music events drew an average attendance of 8,613 people (survey average: 7,359), whilst the average attendance for sporting events was 5,344 (4,662). Comedy is very popular, drawing average audiences of 7,203 (survey average: 4,848). Whilst family shows draw an average audience of 4,669 (survey average: 5,157).
REGIONAL MAP n = Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway & Sweden
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The largest number of events taking place at arenas in the Nordics are related to sport, which makes up 62% of content and accounts for 57% of ticket sales. Second is music, making up 19% of all events held, but 28% of tickets sold. Family shows occupy 12% of programming and sell 10% of tickets. There was an average of 92 performances per venue surveyed, with an average of 57 sporting events, 17 music events, and 11 family events per venue. In Stockholm, AEG operates the largest entertainment district in the region, comprising the Ericsson Globe (cap. 16,000), Tele2 Arena (40,000), Hovet (9,000) and Annexet (3,500). 2016 was a record-breaking year for the company, with 2.1 million visitors attending 300 events across their four arenas. “Demand for events is very high,” reports Marie Lindqvist, CEO of AEG Sweden. “Ticket sales are very good, prices are strong, and there are a lot of shows coming here.” One of Norway’s top promoters, Peer Osmundsvaag of Atomic Soul, frequently books shows into arenas and says the arenas business is healthy: “Everything we do
New arenas are set to challenge the Gatorade Center in Finland