KFUM Oslo has secured 100 million kroner for the planned KFUM Familiearena on Ekeberg. The funding from philanthropist Trond Mohn and Oslo municipality enables the club to begin the first construction phase this autumn.
With the funds in place, the club can finally start work on the northern part of the facility, which includes stands and new pitches. This is a boost for a club that, by its own admission, lacks the areas needed to deliver on its social mission. The project has been in planning for nearly 20 years but has faced delays due to economic conditions and rising construction costs.
The KFUM Familiearena is primarily a project for grassroots football. It is intended to be a meeting place for children, youth, families, and volunteers, creating activity and community in the district. The arena will have an approved spectator capacity of 3,000, with an aim to increase to between 4,000 and 5,000. The new main pitch and training pitch will also give children in Ekeberg and Nordstrand the opportunity to experience top-level and grassroots football under floodlights at Ekebergsletta. Trond Mohn, who has contributed to building sports facilities in several places across the country, became acquainted with the club through recent conversations. “This is about far more than football. It is about creating good meeting places where children and young people can experience activity, belonging, and community,” Mohn said.
A groundbreaking later this autumn is now a reality. The municipality has also proposed an additional 25 million kroner in subsidy for the broad section in both 2027 and 2028, and a subsidised lease contract for the land is already in place. Work to raise additional capital continues, and the club hopes more partners will join a consortium to develop the arena at the desired pace. For KFUM Oslo, currently sitting 10th in the Eliteserien with 25 points, this comes as an important off-field boost. The team has won its last two matches, including a 3-1 away victory against Sarpsborg 08 last weekend, and looks ahead to its next home fixture against Vålerenga on October 12th. The new arena will provide the club with a future home that strengthens both elite sport and the local community.
This story first appeared at KFUM
