Vålerenga Fotball is facing a critical financial crisis that threatens the club's daily operations. An internal note dated 30 June, obtained by VG, describes a severe liquidity challenge where the club cannot pay all its bills when they are due.
The note from late June concludes that Vålerenga Fotball's financial situation is critical. Under current assumptions, available liquidity will not be sufficient to cover the club's ongoing obligations as they fall due. This includes commitments to both employees and suppliers. The situation requires immediate measures, according to the document. Proposed measures include strengthening cash inflow, accelerating payments, reducing and postponing payments where possible, and limiting new financial commitments. The club is also considering further financing. Liquidity is assessed as the club's most critical financial challenge, and the forecast shows the situation is expected to persist and worsen through the second half of 2026.
Chairperson Mia Wedegren and finance chief Stephan Gundersen, who is also acting daily leader, stress that summer months are always tough for football clubs. Many revenues are only paid out in the autumn. Yet the concern is clear. Mia Wedegren questioned how a note written just five days after a loan from the supporters' club Klanen could still warn of problems. "The Klanen annual meeting was on 25 June." said Wedegren. Gundersen confirmed the liquidity problems were real on 30 June, despite Klanen providing a loan of three million kroner on 25 June. The money from Klanen was used entirely to pay for the new artificial turf at Valle.
It is especially the finances of the Toppserien club Vålerenga Damer A that are dragging down the results. This year's budget projected a deficit of two million kroner, but by 30 June the expected deficit had increased to 6.2 million kroner. The difference is thus well over four million kroner. Stephan Gundersen points to several causes. The team is likely not to finish second in the Toppserien this year, they did not reach the cup final, and they also failed to qualify for the Champions League playoffs. "We had a liquidity challenge already when the budget was adopted. When these revenues then disappear, the situation becomes further worsened," said Gundersen. For Vålerenga Fotball as a whole, the numbers have been dark for a long time. Over the last four years, the club has collectively gone 15.7 million kroner into deficit.
In addition to the loan from Klanen, which according to plan is to be repaid before New Year, Vålerenga Fotball also has a bank overdraft of 2.9 million kroner. This is also planned to be repaid this year. Gundersen says salaries to employees are always prioritized, but the club must postpone other payments and negotiate with creditors. The club's sporting situation is also in focus. To improve finances, the club is hoping for public subsidies, prize money from the Champions League, and placement money from the Toppserien that arrive in the autumn.
