Umeå. More sport.
Sport is a natural and important part of the city’s rhythm and of everyday life for its residents all year round. Umeå’s strong sports club community creates participation, engagement and equality, and forms the foundation of one of Sweden’s leading sports cities – where a strong grassroots movement creates elite success.
Sport is a natural and important part of the city’s rhythm and of everyday life for its residents all year round. Umeå’s strong sports club community creates participation, engagement and equality, and forms the foundation of one of Sweden’s leading sports cities – where a strong grassroots movement creates elite success.
3 X Sports stars from Umeå
David Åhman – a Swedish professional beach volleyball player from Umeå who, together with Jonatan Hellvig, won gold in beach volleyball at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The duo also claimed gold at the 2025 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide. They have won several international titles and established themselves as one of the world’s leading beach volleyball team. David won his first World Beach Pro Tour event in May 2022 and became European Champion at senior level the same year.
Jonna Sundling - an outstanding cross-country skier from Tvärålund outside Umeå and one of the world’s leading sprint specialists. She had her breakthrough at the 2021 World Championships, winning gold in the sprint. Since then, she has won multiple World Championship titles and Olympic gold in the sprint at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. She has continued her success with several gold medals at the 2023 and 2025 World Championships and multiple medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.
Mikael Lustig - the defender from Umeå FC also played for Rosenborg and Celtic, as well as for Sweden's national football team - where he won 94 matches in the national team shirt. Mikael Lustig won the Tippeligæn in Norway with Rosenborg in 2009 and 2010, and took eight straight Scottish Premiership titles with Celtic.
Best event city in northern Sweden
Umeå has been named "Best Sports City" in Sweden 3 years in a row and consolidates its position as northern Sweden's leading event city with the wide range of events all year round. In 2023, visitors and local residents can take part in everything from the major events of the World Rally Championship and the SM summer week to smaller local running competitions, football and floorball tournaments.
Work for successful sporting life
The basis for a successful and public health-promoting sporting life is that as many people as possible should excercise for as long as possible. The municipality of Umeå is therefore tasked with making sports accessible, both geographically and in terms of interest, as well as creating conditions and supporting committed leaders, parents and others active in promoting sports.
Fun facts about the sports city of Umeå
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Umeå has won the award for "Sweden's best sports city" three times in the last five years.
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Training times are split equally (50-50) between female athletes and male athletes.
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63 out of 71 specialist sports associations are active.
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There are approximately 300 active sports clubs.
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Each week, 18,150 activities are carried out for children and young people between the ages of 7 and 20.
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There are 24 artificial grass pitches, 55 ice rinks, 16 km of electrically lit ski tracks, 66 barbecue areas, 14 swimming beaches and 18 full-sized indoor halls.
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Umeå municipality distributes SEK 60 million in association support each year.
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In Umeå we have long-established and successful associations such as IF Björklöven, IBK Dalen, IFK Umeå, IKSU, Thoréngruppen, Umeå BSKT, Teg SK, UHSK, Umedalen IF, Umeå FC, Umeå IK and others.
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From Umeå we currently have successful athletes such as: Jonna Sundling (Cross-country skiing), David Åhman (Beach volleyball), Daniel Rahimi (Ice hockey), Linn Sömskar (Cross-country skiing), Moa Lundgren (Cross-country skiing), Elina Rönnlund (Cross-country skiing), Lucas Wallmark (Ice hockey ), Carl Grundström (Ice Hockey), Romina Olyaee (Badminton) Emelie Wibron (Indoor Bandy), Sandra Näslund (Skicross), Tove Lundberg (Boxing), Marcus Grate (Cross-Country Skiing), etc.