Voldsløkka

Voldsløkka is a sports park in the Bjølsen neighbourhood of Oslo, on the border between the Sagene and Nordre Aker districts. Officially called Voldsløkka idrettspark, it is run by the sports club Sagene IF. It serves local people all year round and turns into an open-air ice rink in winter.

What is Voldsløkka?

It is a large green area in the middle of a residential part of the city. Its centrepiece is a field hockey stadium with room for about 800 spectators. The scale is local: a club and neighbourhood venue rather than a big arena, where you watch a match from close range. There is also an artificial-turf field hockey pitch used by the club and by amateur players.

How does it change with the seasons?

In the warmer months the venue is used for field hockey. In winter one of the surfaces becomes a bandy rink. Bandy is a sport similar to ice hockey but played with a ball, and it is very popular across the Nordic countries. Ice-making usually starts in November. Sagene IF is responsible for the rink, and its bandy team plays home games here. The venue also hosted matches of the 2020 Women's Bandy World Championship.

A little history

Before its rebuild in the second half of the 2010s, Voldsløkka was a football ground. It had a place in Oslo's football history as a local home pitch, and after the changes it became a modern centre for field hockey and bandy. Older history of the site is described by the Norwegian site lokalhistoriewiki: a barn once stood here, and emergency housing barracks were built in 1911–1912.

Who is it for?

• Sports fans: field hockey in summer, bandy in winter, and the occasional international event.
• Residents of Bjølsen and Sagene: green space and a public ice rink nearby.
• Visitors looking for a less obvious Oslo: a spot off the usual tourist route that shows how Norwegians stay active through the year.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Voldsløkka? In the Bjølsen neighbourhood of Oslo, next to the Sagene and Nordre Aker districts.

Who runs the facility? The sports club Sagene IF.

How many people can the stands hold? The field hockey stadium seats about 800 spectators.

Can you skate here in winter? Yes, one of the surfaces becomes an ice rink in winter, with ice-making from November. Check current opening hours with the operator.

Is it still a football stadium? No. After the rebuild, the venue is focused on field hockey and bandy.

Practical tips

Check the Sagene IF or City of Oslo websites for match dates and rink opening hours. Bjølsen is well connected to the city centre, and the Akerselva river, with its popular walking path, runs close by. A visit combines well with a stroll through this part of Oslo.