In collaboration with the Norwegian Football Association and our General Sponsor Kiwi, Norway Cup introduced match hosts at all youth matches in 2023. In 2024, we will go a step further and introduce it at all matches, for both handball and football, regardless of age group!

The match host program was introduced to contribute to a safe and positive environment for all players, referees and spectators both on and off the field. A match host is present on the field during matches to maintain fair play and a good atmosphere around the match. 

During the Norway Cup, each team is responsible for providing one match host for each match. In addition to providing players and spectators with a sense of security by having a match host present, an important part of the program is to ensure that the referee has a good experience throughout the match. For us, the yellow match host vest symbolizes respect and justice – completely in line with the values ​​of the Norway Cup. 

Record number of judges registered

Last year's match host program was a great success, and this year we have a record number of applications in our referee department with a total of 418 referees so far! Norway Cup Referee Manager, Tomas Trogstad, believes the match host program is an important factor in recruiting referees for the tournament:

“Many of our well over 400 referees are young and new to the refereeing role. I am absolutely convinced that Norway Cup's focus on having match hosts for all the tournament's matches contributes to the good registration, and that these new referees use Norway Cup as an arena to gain new experience and further development for precisely that reason,” says Tomas. 

The match host program is not the only way Norway Cup promotes good sportsmanship. We also select the fair play team of the year! Throughout the week, the referees score all teams on…

USA CUP match host program

It's not just the Norway Cup that will have a match host program this year. After observing the positive effects of using match hosts at Ekebergsletta in 2023, our close partner USA CUP is now introducing its own program in 2024. Kelli Goodrich, Sports and Recreation Coordinator at the National Sports Center in Minneapolis, says the following about why they have chosen to adopt the program:

“We love the idea of ​​getting the audience involved to help make the game an even better environment by promoting sportsmanship and respect among the fans,” says Kelli.

She also says that judges are positive about the program and believe it is a step in the right direction. Kelli is clear that this type of program is important, especially for young judges:
 

“The match host program is a great way to get everyone involved in the game and create a positive environment for referees, players and fans. In the USA, we have a lot of young referees, and we want them to feel supported by USA CUP as they develop and improve. Referees are an essential part of any sporting event, and we couldn’t have put on our event without them!”

1,170 teams, 18,000 players and 15 countries are participating in the USA CUP, which means that the potential for the match hosting concept to reach even further is great. At Norway Cup, we are proud that our match hosting program inspires other tournaments to take similar steps to ensure fair play and a good safe environment for everyone present.