The enthusiasm for large, international sports events is strong among Danes. This is shown by the evaluation of Copenhagen Sprint, which the analysis institute Wilke has prepared. As many as 76 percent of the spectators at the Copenhagen Sprint 2025 cycling race indicate that they will be proud to be Danes when international sports events are held in this country.
Copenhagen Sprint was held for the first time in June 2025 and gathered over 250,000 spectators along the route. The route went from the starting city of Roskilde through the municipalities of Frederikssund, Egedal, Hillerød, Fredensborg, Allerød, Furesø, Ballerup, Rødovre, Frederiksberg and with the finish in Copenhagen – while 815,000 Danes watched DR during the race weekend.
According to Wilkes’ report, 88 percent of the spectators at the cycling race were excited about international sports events coming to Denmark.
“The first Copenhagen Sprint was a cycling party with lots of good atmosphere in the heart of Copenhagen. I am pleased that the evaluation shows positive figures and indications that we can build on next year. And of course, I am particularly pleased that as many as 87 percent of the respondents indicate that they hope for more events like Copenhagen Sprint in the future. It confirms to me that it is absolutely right when we as a city invest in a mega event like Copenhagen Sprint,” says Lord Mayor Lars Weiss.
Copenhagen will continue to host major events
The Copenhagen Sprint had a finish in Copenhagen, where the riders drove several laps until the final finish took place at the National Gallery of Denmark. Over the weekend, cheering zones, a large people’s bike race and a festival in Østre Anlæg created the setting for a public celebration and a tribute to cycling culture in the capital. As many as 87 percent of the spectators indicated in the survey that they hope that there will be more events like Copenhagen Sprintin the future.
“It is impressive that Copenhagen Sprint was attended by so many spectators and TV viewers. It emphasizes that cycling is an incarnate part of Danish culture. Hopefully, the upcoming editions of the race can get even more tailwind. The government is working to bring even more events to Denmark,” says Minister of Culture Jakob Engel-Schmidt.
Proud Danes
76 percent of the spectators at Copenhagen Sprint indicated that they are proud to be Danes when they follow international sports events held in Denmark.
Key points from the report
- 257,000 spectators and 815,000 TV viewers followed Copenhagen Sprint 2025
- 76% feel proud as Danes at international sports events
- 87% want more events like Copenhagen Sprint
- DKK 31.3 million in total tourism consumption
- The report can be seen here (link not public yet)
Chairman of the Danish Cycling Union, Morten Anderson, says: “The Copenhagen Sprint showed how strong cycling is in Denmark. The excitement along the route and the national pride that the race has created underline that cycling is not just a sport – it is part of our shared identity. This makes us in the Danish Cycling Union proud and motivated to continue the work of developing and uniting Danish cycling across the entire country.”