FAQs

What is it?

Norway Cup is one of the world’s largest youth football tournaments.  It started in 1972 and has been held almost every year since, missing a year in the 70s and taking a two-year break owing to the Covid-19 Pandemic.  To give you an idea of the scale, in 2023 some 2183 teams from 34 countries took part, playing over 5000 matches on around 80 pitches around Oslo.

What is Oslo like?

Oslo, Norway's capital, sits between the fjord and beautiful hills, giving it a cool mix of nature and city vibes. You've got awesome museums like the Viking Ship Museum and the Munch Museum, showing off Norway's history and art scene. Plus, Oslo's all about being green and hip, with great public transport and a vibe that's both modern and chill.  There are reasons why members of our group keep coming back year after year!

What about the weather?

You’d be forgiven for thinking it will be cold - everyone thinks that!  Actually, the weather in Oslo in the summer can range from blazing sunshine and 30+ degree heat to massive thunder storms to huge balls of hail and everything in between.  Be prepared to slap on some sun cream and then dig out your wellies!

How much will it cost me?

The UK and Ireland referee group don’t pay any fees to attend Norway Cup.  You need to pay to get to Oslo and take some spending money.  Oslo’s not the cheapest city, but you will be able to tailor your trip to your budget.

How much experience do I need?

We’re more than happy to receive applications from new and not-so-new referees!  The tournament has games at all age groups up to u19.  You’ll be allocated a Norway Cup category based on your classification and experience at home and this will determine what games you are give in Oslo.

Those applying as an observer should have some experience of mentoring/coaching referees on promotion pathways.

How old do I need to be?

Applicants for 2025 must be 18 years old on or before 25 July 2024.  No exceptions will be made to this requirement.

What are the other requirements?

You should be an active referee or observer (whichever you apply as) and will need the permission of your local FA to attend.  We can help you with that.  All relevant child protection and safeguarding requirements must be up to date too.

What football is there?

Boys and girls from under 5s up to under 19s play 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 a side matches during the week.  Our group will generally look after the u11 to u19s who play 7, 9 or 11 a side.  U19, u17 and a lot of u16 11 a side matches are played with teams of three officials whilst the rest start off with referees operating on their own.  As the week progresses, ARs are added to more games.  Every referee, no matter their level, should be prepared to referee and run the line and to work on some small sided games (the u16 boys’ 7 a side category can get proper spicy!).

What’s the set-up?

Football starts on the Sunday, with the first three days dedicated to group matches.  The knock-out stages begin on the Wednesday, culminating with finals on the Friday and Saturday.  Every team progresses to the knock-outs: the top half into the main “A” competition and the bottom half into a consolation “B” split.  During the group stages, referees and observers should expect around 4 or 5 games each day.  The Wednesday can get pretty busy but game time tails off on the Thursday and Friday.  Small sided finals are on the Friday and 11-a-side finals (and third place play offs) on the Saturday.

Where are the games played?

Over half of the 80 or so pitches are located at Ekebergsletta, a huge public park in south-east Oslo.  Ekeberg has a true festival feeling with a carnival, big stage and lots of things to see and do throughout the week.  Our accommodation is located close by.  The other pitches are located at the grounds of a number of sports clubs around Oslo, most of them less than 20 minutes away from the accommodation.  Comfortable transport is provided to these fields.  Games are played on both natural and artificial surfaces of varying quality.

I like medals.

That’s not really a question!  But, every referee has the chance to work on a final.  You’ll be given an initial category based on your classification and experience at home.  You’ll be given the opportunity to be coached by observers from around the world throughout the week and your category can change depending on the observers’ feedback.  Games at the business end of the tournament are appointed on the basis of this feedback.  In particular, the observers appointed to quarter finals give direct feedback to the head of the appointments team who decides on finals appointments.

What is the accommodation like?

We share accommodation in either school classrooms within the “referee school” or in a school or large sports hall within walking distance. The classrooms usually accommodate up to 15 and if we’re put up in a hall, it will likely be the whole group sharing. You will be provided with a basic air mattress, but you need to bring your own bedding (sleeping bag, pillow etc.).  Some of the group bring inflatable beds to make it a bit more comfortable.  Showers are communal (think team changing room style) although separate facilities are, of course, provided for male and female referees.  The accommodation is free.

What about the food?

Three meals a day are included - breakfast at the referee school and lunch and dinner in a large hall beside the main pitches that serves the teams too.  Breakfast is a cold selection of bread, jam, ham, cheese, boiled eggs, meat pastes and the like (it’s better than it sounds, honest!).  At lunch there is the same cold selection and one hot option, such as pasta or soup.  At dinner there are two hot options, usually one meat and one fish.   Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance warning.  There are shops nearby for buying extra bits and food vans and stalls at the pitches where food and drinks are available to buy.

Do we get paid?

Yes.  Referees and observers receive a fee for every game.  Fees for referees depend on the age group and whether you are referee or assistant.  Observers are paid a flat fee for every game.  Fees are paid by bank transfer following the tournament.  Depending on how your week goes, you can expect to make between around £100 and £200 in fees.

Is anything else included?

Yes! You will get a wristband which gives you free transport on local buses, trams and the metro as well as free entry to most museums in Oslo.  You’ll get a Norway Cup Referee t-shirt and some tokens to redeem for soft drinks during the week.  There are sometimes some other freebies at check in.  Towards the end of the week there is a pizza party where the whole referee group comes together to look back on the week.

What should I bring?

Have a look at our what to bring page!

Is there a social scene?

Yes!  Whilst we pride ourselves on our professionalism on the pitch, as a group we are well aware that this is a holiday for our referees.  As long as you do the job on the pitch, how you want to spend your down time is up to you.  Every night there’ll be some people heading into town, some staying at the accommodation to play cards and have a chat and others still just doing their own thing.  Making friends from around the world is one of the reasons we have people who keep coming back.  We also have our own informal, light hearted awards ceremony at the end of the week that allows us to look back and celebrate the tournament.  You will want to avoid coming away with the (not so) coveted yellow t-shirt for Tw@t of the Week!

How much down time will I have?

The first Saturday is always a free day (save for a meeting in the evening) and most people will have a fairly quiet Friday and free second Saturday.  During the meat of the tournament, you’ll probably have some time at some point for doing tourist bits, but it very much depends on how your appointments land.

Is there an opportunity to go to a game?

Usually, yes!  Oslo and the surrounding area has a number of top and second flight teams.  The fixture list for the 2025 season will be known early in the year.