Oslo World Cup screening leaves fans frustrated

Two women who paid to watch Norway’s World Cup match against France on a big screen in Oslo left after 15 minutes, citing overcrowding, spilled beer, and obstructed views, Dagbladet reports.

Marielle Andersen, 23, and her friend had secured fast-track tickets for 400 kroner to the “Fotball i Parken” event in Lille Slottsparken. They arrived three hours early but found the area packed, with no available seating. Guards asked them to move as they searched for a spot.

“We saw nothing. There were trees in front of the screens, and it was impossible to follow the match,” Andersen said. She added that tall crowds blocked their view, and requests to stand closer were refused.

The pair also described being drenched in spilled beer amid the crowd. “I had to wring out my skirt afterward,” Andersen said.

She noted others at the event also complained about the screen placement and poor sightlines. Organizers told Dagbladet they had not received formal complaints but acknowledged Andersen’s disappointment.

After leaving, the women tried another viewing site at Nationaltheatret but found it closed. They ended up watching parts of the match on a phone before going home.

Andersen, who previously attended a 17 May event at the same location and was also dissatisfied, said she would not return to “Fotball i Parken.” For Norway’s next match against Brazil, she plans to watch at Ullevaal Stadium, citing better seating and sound.

Organizer Fredrik Hagelund told Avisa Oslo the event had three main screens and 15 smaller ones, with 3,000 tickets sold—2,700 seated and 300 standing. He said queues at opening were minimal and that sight and sound were adequate for those who stayed.