There is nothing quite like a European away day. Barcelona and Lyon are heading to Oslo for the Champions League final on May 23, and the city is about to be completely taken over. But if you’re one of the lucky ones making the trip, the match at Ullevaal Stadion is only half the event.
Oslo is essentially transforming into a citywide celebration of women’s football culture for the weekend. Whether you want to talk tactics over a local beer or get a temporary football-themed tattoo, here is how to navigate the city like a local.
Where to Hang Out: The Fan Hubs
If you want that classic, bustling matchday build-up, head straight to the Spikersuppa Fan Festival right in the center of the city. It’s the main meeting point for traveling supporters, so expect a lively mix of fans from Spain, France and beyond. It’s packed with food stalls, social spaces and live entertainment on stage, making it the easiest place to base yourself for a few hours before heading out to the ground. If you’re riding solo, this is the ultimate spot to mingle. The tables are communal, everyone is friendly and it’ll probably take you 30 seconds in the Heineken bar line to find a friend group to adopt you for the day.
A short walk from there along the waterfront is the WePlayStrong House at Rådhusplassen, which feels less like a corporate fan zone and more like a creative block party. This is UEFA’s hub for the culture surrounding the women's game, focusing on community and fan identity. You can watch their 3v3 community tournament featuring icons of the game, join the player meet-and-greet, pick up a free copy of Queenzine or hit up their temporary tattoo studio to rep your club colors for the weekend. Both spots are completely free and open all weekend.
The Queer Scene & Nightlife
The crossover between women’s football fandom and the queer community is massive, and you couldn’t ask for a more progressive host city. Oslo is incredibly safe and open-minded. While the legendary club Elsker recently closed its doors, the local scene has quickly shifted.
If you are looking for a proper post-match dance (or hoping to find your weekend away WAG) head straight to Baba Bar. It has quickly become the absolute go-to spot for the city's queer women and non-binary community, featuring incredible energy, inclusive vibes and great music.
If you want something unique before the night gets too wild, check out SALT Art & Music right on the harbor. It’s an open-air cultural village complete with street food, outdoor bars and massive wood-fired saunas overlooking the fjord. It’s deeply queer-friendly, regularly hosts events and is a staple for local creatives. Meanwhile, if you prefer a classic, historic pub atmosphere to dissect the match results, London Pub has been the bedrock of Oslo’s LGBTQ+ scene since the 1970s.
Photo Credit; SALT
Photo Credit; SALT
Finding Your Oslo Basecamp
Oslo is compact and easy to navigate, but choosing the right neighborhood sets the tone for your weekend. If you want to be as close to the match as possible, look at the areas of Ullevål or nearby Nydalen. This is essentially stadium territory; it's a bit quieter and more residential than central Oslo, but staying at the Thon Hotel Ullevaal Stadion means you can literally roll out of bed and walk to the gates in two minutes. Nydalen, just one stop away on the metro, sits right on the river and has sleek, modern options like the Radisson Blu Hotel Nydalen.
If you prefer the coolest vibe in the city over stadium proximity, look at Grünerløkka. It’s the creative heart of Oslo, full of independent cafes, parks, and bars. If you're booking accommodation there, Bunks at Rode offers a great, social hostel setup with a rooftop view, while Scandic Vulkan gives you a sleek boutique hotel feel right next to the Mathallen food hall.
Finally, if you just want pure convenience, staying in Sentrum (the city center) puts you right next to the central train station and the Spikersuppa festival. No-frills, budget-friendly design hotels like Citybox Oslo or the straightforward Anker Hostel are your best bets to save some cash and the metro will still get you up to the stadium in less than ten minutes anyway.
Photo Credit; Tripadvisor Grünerløkka
Photo Credit; Tripadvisor Grünerløkka
Getting Around & Talking to Locals
Language barriers are likely to not be an issue here for English speakers here, almost everyone in Oslo is bilingual. That said, dropping a little local vocab is always appreciated. Throw out a*"Hei"(pronounced like hey) for hello, a"Takk"for thank you, and a"Skål!"*(cheers) when you're at the pub.
When it’s time to head to Ullevaal Stadion, the city's public transport is seamless. Download the Ruter app to buy transit tickets instantly and the metro (T-bane) will drop you right at the stadium gates in a few minutes. Just make sure to leave your cash at home; Norway is virtually cashless, so your contactless card or phone is all you need, whether you're buying a train ticket or a coffee by the harbor.
See you by the fjord!
Photo Credit; UEFA
Photo Credit; UEFA