Are you unsure about when you should be at the arena? Do you want an autograph from your favorite player but don’t know how to get one? Or are you just curious about what it’s like to be a spectator at a major tournament like the VICTOR DENMARK OPEN? We have compiled the most pressing questions and answers in this guide so that you are well-prepared.
When should you be there?
Matches start at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. On Friday, we start at 12 p.m., on Saturday at 9 a.m., and on Sunday at 12 p.m. Doors open half an hour before the start on the first three days, one hour before on Friday and Saturday, and at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.
There are badminton matches scheduled throughout the day, with the last matches ending in the evening. You can come whenever it suits you, so if you have work during the day, you can still catch plenty of matches.
How many matches does the ticket cover?
Your ticket grants access to all matches throughout the day. From Tuesday to Thursday, three courts are in use simultaneously. On Friday, during the quarterfinals, two courts are in use, while Saturday’s semifinals and Sunday’s finals are played on one court. This means that with your ticket, you can watch many different matches and enjoy a lot of badminton action.
What can you do besides watching badminton?
There are plenty of activities in the spectator area to keep you entertained in addition to following the matches. Last year, spectators could, for example, participate in a competition organized by former world champion Thomas Laybourn, play a duel against Hans Kristian Vittinghus, test their precision with a racket, shop for lots of badminton gear, and much more. Similar activities will be arranged this year, so check out the spectator area and listen for announcements from the hall speaker.
Additionally, you can meet several different robots in the arena. Try your hand at tic-tac-toe against a robot or use another robot as your personal info guide.
Where can you get food?
In the hall’s street food area, you can find a delicious selection of food with a focus on sustainability initiatives. Therefore, the menu includes fewer dishes with beef and more meat-free alternatives. The ingredients are as local as possible and are delivered to the arena in electric vehicles.
Can you get autographs and pictures with the players?
Yes! Autograph sessions will be arranged in the spectator area where you can get both pictures and autographs from the stars. These sessions will be announced by the hall speaker, so stay alert if you want to secure an autograph or a picture.
If your favorite player is not participating in one of the official autograph sessions, there is still hope. Many players stop to give autographs and take pictures on their way out of the hall after their matches. So, if you stand ready by the barrier where the players pass, you might be lucky enough to catch them. However, remember that flash photography is not allowed in the hall as it can distract the players on the court.
What is good badminton atmosphere according to the players?
We give the floor to Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup, who provide some good advice on how to create the best badminton atmosphere in the hall.
Anders Skaarup: – The approach should be to cheer too much rather than too little. It doesn’t have to be quiet during all rallies either. One of the things we particularly enjoyed about Royal Arena and the Olympics was the great enthusiasm and joy for the game. As much as possible, let loose a bit. It doesn’t just have to be shouting a name and then clapping. There should be as much noise as possible. I think that would also be cool for the other spectators.
Kim Astrup: – We definitely get a bit more adrenaline from having thousands of spectators sitting there in Odense with us. It certainly gives us a lot of positive energy to feel that the audience is with us in the match and wants us to win.