DENMARK Law and Practice Contributed by: Frederik Bruhn, Tim Krarup Nielsen, Robert Jønsson and Rasmus Theis Madsen, DAHL Law Firm
Organisations Driving Development The Danish Women’s Division Association (KDF) plays a pivotal role in advancing women’s foot - ball in Denmark. Representing elite clubs, the KDF collaborates with the DBU to improve mar - keting, league structures, and the overall profile of women’s football.
ments. While no standardised contract exists, esports organisations increasingly implement long-term contracts with revenue-sharing models. • Expansion of Esports Events: Denmark hosts large-scale esports events, such as Blast Premier in Copenhagen and the Gamebox Festival in Herning, reinforcing the country’s position as an esports hub. These events attract international audiences and corporate sponsorships. 10. NFTs, AI and the Metaverse 10.1 Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) Overview of the NFT Market The NFT market in Denmark, as in many other jurisdictions, initially experienced a rapid rise, particularly in 2021 and early 2022, as clubs, athletes, and brands sought to capitalise on digital assets. However, the market has since declined significantly, with many NFT collections losing their value. Use of NFTs in Sports Danish football clubs and brands have used NFTs in various ways, including licensing agree - ments with third-party platforms to create and sell NFTs featuring player images, match high - lights, or digital collectibles. Some clubs have explored NFTs as a tool for fan engagement, offering exclusive content and VIP experiences. However, NFT adoption has been most preva - lent within esports, as the digital nature of the industry aligns naturally with blockchain-based assets. Tax treatment of NFTs in Denmark In terms of risk regarding use of NFTs, the Danish tax treatment should be taken into considera -
9. Esports 9.1 Esports Overview Development and Growth
The Danish esports market has experienced significant growth, establishing itself as one of the most developed esports markets globally. In 2023, Denmark had the highest number of elite esports players per capita, and esports is now recognised as a mainstream competitive activity. The industry saw a surge in participation dur - ing the COVID-19 pandemic, and the number of esports clubs continues to grow. Membership in Danish esports clubs grew from 2,343 in 2017 to 8,860 in 2020. However, despite this overall growth, the industry has faced a slight downturn in 2024 and 2025, experiencing economic dif - ficulties. So far, the National Olympic Committee and DIF have not recognised esports as an official sport. This means that no financial support can be provided by DIF and no governance under DIF applies. Recent Trends and Notable Deals • Investment: Danish esports organisations have attracted significant investment, particu - larly in team infrastructure and talent develop - ment. • Professionalisation of Contracts: There has been a shift towards structured player con - tracts, resembling traditional sports agree -
92
CHAMBERS.COM
Powered by FlippingBook