GIF report: Greenland lacks comprehensive plan for sports facilities

Greenland lacks a common and long-term strategy for sports facilities.

This is shown by a new nationwide report, commissioned by the Greenland Sports Association (GIF) and prepared by the Sports Analysis Institute (Idan) and the University of Southern Denmark.

The report was published on Monday, May 5, 2026, and for the first time in many years provides a comprehensive overview of access, use and maintenance of sports facilities across the country's five municipalities.

It also shows that there is a lack of coherence between investments, needs and the actual use of sports facilities. At the same time it contains three central points, which, according to the researchers, point to fundamental challenges for the future development of sports facilities in Greenland.

No common strategy

In 2023, around 80 million kroner was spent annually on sports, but none of the municipalities currently have a comprehensive strategy for sports facilities.

According to the report, this means that priorities are often set individually and without a common direction, and that it is unclear whether the funds are used most efficiently. At the same time, there is a lack of long-term planning for both new facilities and maintenance of existing facilities.

Lack of data weakens planning

The report also points out that lack of data weakens the ability to plan and prioritize.

Among other things, there is a lack of knowledge about the number and condition of sports facilities, their use and capacity. According to the report, this makes it difficult to assess the needs and effects of investments in sports.

Nature plays a major role

Another interesting finding in the report is that nature plays a major role in physical activity in Greenland.

According to the survey, every third adult is physically active in nature, for example through hiking. At the same time, children and young people use informal exercise spaces to a large extent, especially in the settlements.

Nevertheless, nature only plays a limited role in the planning of sports facilities today. The report therefore recommends that future facilities be more closely linked to outdoor life, trails and outdoor activity areas.

Knowledge before choices

According to GIF, the report will in future be used as a common basis for dialogue on the development of sports facilities and exercise opportunities throughout Greenland.

GIF emphasises that the report is not a political proposal, but a common knowledge base for municipalities, sports organisations and other actors.

- With this report, we get a comprehensive and fact-based picture of sports and sports facilities in Greenland, which we have been lacking. Considerable funds are being invested in the area, and therefore it is crucial that decisions are made on a solid basis of knowledge. The report shows both strengths and challenges and gives us a common starting point for dialogue and prioritization – across cities, settlements and stakeholders, says Claus Nielsen, chairman of the Greenland Sports Association.

The full report is freely available and GIF will continue to disseminate key facts and findings from the report via www.gif.gl.