October 15: Parken Sport and Entertainment is exploring the full or partial sale of FC Copenhagen as part of a strategic review of its football business.
The review also covers the club’s women’s team, the group’s involvement in Sweden’s FC Rosengård and hospitality operations at Parken Services. Parken will also consider selling all or part of Parken Ejendomme, the real estate business that owns the stadium and its office towers, although selling a property is not a condition for selling the football club.
FC Copenhagen accounted for around two-fifths of the group’s revenue last year, making any sale a significant change for a company that has other businesses such as resorts and commercial properties. Parken shares rose as much as 14.6% on Tuesday to their highest level in more than a year, on track for their best day in two years.
The board said the time was right to look at whether the new ownership could help “strengthen the continued development of FC København as Scandinavia’s leading football club, including through continued investment in sporting performance, fan experience and football infrastructure”.
The options will be discussed with “a range of carefully selected potential investors”. Tifosy Capital & Advisory has been appointed as exclusive financial advisor.
The company stressed that there is no certainty that the sale will be completed and that the club’s operations will continue as normal. He will not comment on speculation about potential buyers.
FC Copenhagen are Denmark’s most successful club in the modern era and a regular in European competition, making them one of the most attractive assets in Scandinavian football. He would join a growing list of European clubs attracting the interest of international investors and multi-club groups seeking a place in markets with consistent access to the Champions League and a pathway to developing players.
A stadium and club package could widen the field even further. Owning the venue and surrounding real estate is increasingly part of the theme for buyers looking to increase their matchday and non-matchday income.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at (email protected)
