Welcome to Växjö – A City of Sports, Culture, and Innovation

Växjö, located in the heart of Småland in southern Sweden, is a city that combines tradition with forward-thinking innovation. Known as “Europe’s Greenest City”, Växjö has become internationally recognized for its sustainability work and its unique ability to integrate nature, culture, and sports.

A City Known For

Sustainability – Växjö was the first city in the world to set the ambitious goal of becoming fossil fuel free, and today it is a global role model in green development.
Education and Knowledge – With Linnaeus University as a hub for students and researchers from around the world, Växjö is a place of ideas and innovation.
Sports and Culture – From athletics and football to ice hockey and floorball, Växjö is home to passionate communities, successful clubs, and strong traditions.

Arenastaden – A Unique Sports Environment

Within walking distance, Växjö offers one of the most complete sports complexes in Northern Europe. In Arenastaden, world-class facilities are gathered side by side:

Telekonsult Arena – athletics
Spiris Arena – football
Vida Arena – ice hockey
Tipshallen – indoor football and athletics throwing events
Fortnox Arena – floorball
HPC (High Performance Center) – gym and test center

In addition to these arenas, Växjö also offers:

Two additional ice rinks for training, figure skating and youth hockey.
A dedicated team gymnastics hall.
Several full-size football pitches for training and matches.
Värendsvallen – the historic outdoor stadium for athletics and football.
A modern multi-arena with climbing wall, squash, and badminton courts.

This concentration of arenas, combined with the spirit of cooperation between the city’s sports clubs, creates an inspiring environment where athletes and coaches thrive together.

A City of Champions

Växjö has produced some of Sweden’s most successful athletes and coaches:

Carolina Klüft – world-famous heptathlete, raised and trained in Växjö.
Angelica Bengtsson – trailblazing pole vaulter, who trained in Växjö throughout most of her career.
Truls Möregårdh – table tennis star, olympic and world championship silver medalist, raised in nearby Hovmantorp.
Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg – tennis legends, both world No. 1 and multiple Grand Slam champions.
Thomas Ravelli – iconic Swedish national team goalkeeper.
Tommy Svensson – former head coach of the Swedish men’s national football team, who led Sweden to a historic World Cup bronze in 1994.
Jonas Källman and Philip Stenmalm – handball internationals.
Anton Dahlberg – Olympic silver medalist in sailing.
Camilla Johansson – Olympic triple jumper.
John Lundvik – Eurovision Song Contest artist and former sprinter for IFK Växjö.

At the same time, Växjö is home to today’s rising stars in athletics, especially in combined events. Current multi-event athletes include Lovisa Karlsson and Erika Wärff at senior level, and the next generation led by Jacob Thelander, Leo Göransson, Liam Belo Da Silva, and Doris Theander.

Community Engagement through Sports

Sports in Växjö is more than elite competition. Local clubs take great responsibility for inclusion and community development:

IFK Växjö runs Miniorlandslaget, a track & field program for children from socioeconomically challenged areas.
Östers IF runs Friday Night Football, attracting 350-400 young people every week during the winter season.

Through cooperation between clubs, businesses, and the municipality, sports in Växjö creates opportunities and meeting places for everyone – making the city truly unique.

Discover Växjö

Växjö is more than sports – it is also a cultural and historical destination:

Växjö Cathedral – a landmark with origins dating back to the Middle Ages.
Teleborg Castle – a fairytale castle by the lake, popular for visits and events.
Kronoberg Castle Ruin – a medieval ruin beautifully situated by Lake Helgasjön.
The House of Emigrants – telling the story of Swedish migration to America.
The Glass Museum & the Kingdom of Crystal (Glasriket) – showcasing world-famous Småland glass art and design.
Culinary Experiences – Växjö is known for high-quality food and drink, from innovative restaurants to traditional Småland flavors.

Surrounded by lakes, forests, and nature reserves, Växjö offers countless opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and canoeing.

Extend Your Stay

We encourage our international guests to experience more of Växjö during their visit. Why not arrive a day earlier or stay longer after the conference to discover the city’s nature, culture, history, and culinary scene?

👉 Learn more and plan your stay here: Visit Växjö – Summit Series Guide