What DGI Byen does

DGI Byen (legal entity Foreningen DGI Byen) is a Copenhagen-based nonprofit association founded in 1995 and opened to the public in 1997, structured as a multi-tenant sports, wellness, conference, and cultural venue complex in central Copenhagen. It operates a portfolio of sub-brands including Vandkulturhuset (aquatic center with five pools and the Saunahuset), CPH Conference (meeting and event venues), Øksnehallen (heritage exhibition hall established in 1901 with over 3,000 m² of exhibition space), CPH Hotel (on-site accommodation with 192-space parking garage), four sports halls (including two with spectator seating) and a shooting center, three restaurants (Restaurant Østerbro, Vestauranten, Spisehuset), a 16-lane bowling center, padel courts, yoga and reformer studio (Ro og Balancehuset), and a fitness facility (Træningshuset).

The facility serves more than one million visitors annually, hosts over 1,600 events, and supports 65+ Copenhagen Municipality institutions and associations as their home venue. Its technology layer consists of an online booking platform (Halbooking for activity scheduling), an e-commerce webshop for trade fair exhibitors to order stand equipment, AV, catering, and technical services, and standard reservation systems for the hotel, restaurant, and conference facilities.

DGI Byen generates revenue across seven streams: recurring sports and leisure memberships, conference and meeting rentals, trade fair and exhibition booth and service fees (transaction-based), hotel stays, food and beverage, event-based admissions (festivals, camps, exhibitions), and Øksnehallen exhibitor service fees. Pricing is in Danish Kroner across unit pricing (e.g., 1,295 kr camps, 95 kr festival admission), subscription memberships, usage-based parking (51 kr/hr), and B2B transaction fees (e.g., 4,285–29,308 kr AV monitors; 52 kr/m² cleaning). Customers span consumer segments (families, active adults, seniors), corporate clients (TechBBQ, Horesta, Historiske Dage, Dakofo), 65+ municipal associations, NGOs (Det Nationale Sorgcenter, Børneulykkesfonden, Reden, Mændenes Hjem), and event organizers. The venue is governed by founding partners DGI, De Danske Skytteforeninger, and the City of Copenhagen and operates as a social enterprise reinvesting surplus into community health initiatives.

Name

DGI Byen

Legal name

Foreningen DGI Byen

Website

https://dgibyen.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

DGI Byen is a Copenhagen-based nonprofit association operating a multi-tenant sports, wellness, conference, and cultural venue complex—serving families, corporate clients, 65+ municipal associations, and event organizers—and reinvesting surplus into community health programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports and Event Venue

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111), Accommodation (721), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Conference Retreat Hotels (THAGALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Historic/Heritage Conference Hotels (THAGALAL), Private Wellness & Retreat Experiences (Personalized Spa, Yoga, Healing) (THAJALAI)

Keywords

• Sports facility management
• Conference venue services
• Exhibition and event hosting
• Swimming pool services
• Fitness and wellness centers

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Sports and Leisure Activities: Revenue from swimming pools, fitness facilities, padel courts, badminton, basketball, bowling, table tennis, indoor football, volleyball, and various group fitness classes. Also includes camps for children during school holidays.
2. Conference and Meeting Facilities: Revenue from renting meeting rooms, conference spaces, and event venues including CPH Conference, Øksnehallen, and restaurant facilities for corporate events.
3. Trade Fairs and Exhibitions: Øksnehallen hosts major trade fairs and exhibitions, generating revenue from booth rentals, exhibitor services (furniture, AV equipment, catering), and visitor admissions.
4. Hotel Accommodation: CPH Hotel offers overnight accommodation with parking packages, generating revenue from hotel stays and related services.
5. Food and Beverage: Restaurants including Vestauranten, Spisehuset, and Restaurant Østerbro provide catering for events and open dining. Also includes café services.
6. Memberships: Membership programs provide access to fitness facilities, sports halls, and group training with recurring subscription revenue.
7. Øksnehallen Webshop: Online webshop for exhibitors to purchase stand equipment, furniture, AV equipment, catering, cleaning services, and technical assistance for trade fairs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DGI Byen operates a multi-functional sports, wellness, conference, and cultural venue complex in central Copenhagen. It sells access to aquatic facilities (Vandkulturhuset with five pools and Saunahuset), sports halls, fitness centers, bowling, padel courts, group training, children's camps, and yoga/wellness classes to consumers, while renting conference spaces (CPH Conference), the historic Øksnehallen exhibition hall, hotel rooms (CPH Hotel), restaurants, and team-building event packages to corporate clients and event organizers.

Product overview

DGI Byen is a multi-facility sports, wellness, and conference complex in Copenhagen offering a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offerings include Vandkulturhuset (aquatic center with pools and sauna), four sports halls, CPH Conference (meeting venues), Øksnehallen (exhibition hall), CPH Hotel (accommodation), and multiple restaurants. Supporting modules include bowling, padel courts, fitness facilities, Ro og Balancehuset (yoga/reformer), and various membership programs. The venue hosts over 1,600 events annually and more than 1 million visitors per year. Camps and bootcamps for children (SportsCamp, VandCamp, Padel Bootcamp) provide seasonal programming. The Øksnehallen Webshop enables exhibitors to order stand equipment and services online.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Øksnehallen: Historic exhibition hall venue within DGI Byen, used for trade shows, conferences, cultural events, and exhibitions
• CPH Conference
• CPH Hotel
• Vandkulturhuset

Products and services

• Vandkulturhuset (Water Culture House) Modern swimming facility with five pools offering swimming programs for children, adults, and families, as well as sauna experiences and private swimming lessons.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 million+ annual visitors across all facilities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Paul Petersens IdrætsinstitutcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Denmark's oldest existing sports institute, located at DGI Byen since its opening in 1997. Offers teacher training programs specializing in sports and outdoor life in the heart of Copenhagen.
• BalletkompagnietcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPopular ballet classes offered in the Mirror Hall at DGI Byen. Open to all ages and skill levels, taught by professional dancers.
• Fotografisk CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose cultural partnership operating one of Denmark's leading art galleries at Building 55, Staldgade 16. Focuses on contemporary photography and media art, particularly Nordic photography.
• DGI Greater CopenhagencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to promote physical activity and sports for all Copenhagen residents. Affiliated associations use DGI Byen's sports halls, rooms, and swimming pool for optimal training settings.
• Constructive InstituteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDGI Byen provided venue access for Valgfestival 2025, allowing Copenhagen residents to meet mayoral candidates and discuss the city's future.
• CPH HotelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOn-site hotel at DGI Byen providing accommodation for event attendees, conference participants, and sports visitors. Offers parking packages and integrated booking with venue access.
• APCOA PARKINGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManages parking facilities at DGI Byen with 192 parking spaces. Offers license plate recognition, mobile app payment (APCOA FLOW, EasyPark), and subscription parking options.
• E.ONminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides EV charging stations at level -2 of the parking garage. Subscribers can charge directly; non-subscribers can pay at the charger.
• Mændenes HjemminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial partner for Christmas market event, providing holiday craft booths. Supports DGI Byen's community outreach initiatives.
• RedenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial partner for Christmas market event, providing holiday craft booths. Supports vulnerable populations through collaboration.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Scandic Hotels: Nordic hotel chain with significant conference and meeting facilities across Denmark. Comparable on the hotel + conference venue hybrid offering, though operates at much larger scale across geographies.
• Comwell Hotels: Danish conference hotel chain operating multiple properties with integrated meeting, conference, and sports facilities. Comparable on the integrated hotel-conference-wellness value proposition.
• SATS Elixia: Nordic fitness chain offering memberships, group training, and wellness. Comparable on the subscription-based sports and fitness membership revenue model and competitive set.
• Tivoli Gardens: Iconic Copenhagen amusement park and entertainment venue with multiple restaurants and event spaces. Comparable as a major multi-attraction Copenhagen destination combining entertainment, dining, and venue hire under one brand.

Direct peers

• Forum Copenhagen: Major Copenhagen event venue hosting concerts, conferences, and exhibitions. Directly competes with Øksnehallen for trade fair and corporate event bookings in the same city.
• Bella Center Copenhagen: Copenhagen's largest convention and exhibition venue operated by Bellagroup. Directly comparable as a Copenhagen-based conference and trade fair competitor targeting the same corporate and exhibition customers.
• Kulturværftet: Multi-purpose Danish venue combining cultural events, conferences, restaurants, and recreational facilities. Closely comparable integrated venue and community-focused operating model.
• Idrættens Hus (Brøndby): Danish sports association headquarters with sports facilities, meeting rooms, and conference space. Closely comparable social-purpose sports and conference complex model in the Danish market.
• Lokomotivværkstedet: Copenhagen event venue in the Østerbro district hosting concerts, corporate events, and trade fairs. Direct competitor in the central Copenhagen event venue market.

Others

• DGI Landsstævne: Parent affiliate DGI's flagship multi-sport event brand. Connected through shared governance with DGI Byen and provides ecosystem-level sports programming and community engagement.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/dgibyen
• Facebookfacebook.com/DGIbyen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dgi-byen

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DGI Byen