Korpen Football Stockholm: How It Actually Works

You heard about Korpen. Someone said it is the way to play recreational football in Sweden. You went to korpen.se and got lost in Swedish menus.

This guide explains everything in plain English.

What Is Korpen?

Korpen is Sweden’s largest recreational sports organization. They run leagues for adults in football, basketball, volleyball, and other sports. Think of it as organized pickup games with a schedule and standings.

The key difference from traditional clubs: no promotion, no relegation. You play in your division all season. The goal is exercise and fun, not climbing a league pyramid.

Korpen Stockholm runs football leagues across the city. Thousands of players. Hundreds of teams. Matches every day of the week at pitches all over Stockholm.

Korpen vs. SvFF Clubs: The Difference

This confuses many newcomers. Here is the breakdown:

	Korpen	SvFF Clubs
Purpose	Recreation	Competition
Promotion/Relegation	No	Yes
Training	Optional, self-organized	Structured, coach-led
Commitment	1 match per week	2-3 sessions per week
Cost	150-300 SEK/person/season	2,000-6,000 SEK/year
Age groups	Adults only	Youth and adults

If you want casual weekly football with minimal commitment, Korpen is your answer. If you want structured training, youth development, and competitive league play, look at SvFF clubs like FC Nordljus.

Many players do both. They play for an SvFF club and join a Korpen team with friends from work.

League Structure

Korpen Stockholm offers several formats:

By Team Size

5-spelare: 5-a-side on small pitches
7-spelare: 7-a-side, most popular format
9-spelare: 9-a-side
11-spelare: Full 11-a-side matches

By Category

Herr: Men’s leagues (women can play too)
Dam: Women’s leagues
Mixed: Mixed gender teams
Oldboys: Players 40 and older

By Skill Level

Divisions range from 1 (highest) to 7 (lowest). Division 1 teams often include former semi-professional players and elite youth squads. Lower divisions are more recreational.

New clubs start in Division 7. You work your way up through results. Some clubs like FC Nordljus play seriously with ambitions to climb the league. Others stay in lower divisions for casual play. Both approaches are valid.

Season Calendar

Outdoor Season (May - October)

Registration opens: March/April
Season starts: Early May
Season ends: Late October
One match per week

Indoor Season (November - March)

Futsal format (5-a-side)
Smaller courts, faster pace
Good way to stay sharp during winter

Matches happen on weekday evenings (18:00-22:00) and weekends. You choose your preferred day when registering.

How to Register a Team

You need a team to play Korpen. Here is how to set one up:

Step 1: Gather Players

You need 8-15 people depending on format. 7-a-side needs at least 10 to cover absences. Recruit from work, friends, or your apartment building.

Step 2: Create an Account

Go to korpen.se/korpenstockholm. Click “Skapa konto” (create account). One person becomes the team administrator.

Step 3: Register the Team

Navigate to Fotboll > Seriespel. Choose your format (7-spelare, etc.) and category (Herr, Dam, Mixed). Select your preferred match day and division.

Step 4: Pay the Fee

Season fees range from 1,500 to 3,500 SEK per team. Split it among players. Payment confirms your spot.

Step 5: Add Players

The admin adds each player to the team roster. Players need their own Korpen accounts. No personnummer required. Passport or ID number works.

Registration deadlines are strict. Miss them and you wait until next season.

How to Join Without a Team

No team? Two options:

Option 1: Spelarbank (Player Bank)

Korpen runs a database of individuals looking for teams. Register yourself with your position, experience, and availability. Teams needing players browse the bank and contact you.

Find it at korpen.se under Fotboll > Spelarbank.

Option 2: Social Media

Post in Facebook groups like “Korpen Stockholm Fotboll” or “Expats in Stockholm.” Say you are looking for a team, your experience level, and preferred area. Teams recruit this way all the time.

Read our full guide on joining a team when you don’t know anyone.

Costs Breakdown

Korpen is cheap compared to gym memberships or SvFF clubs.

Team registration fee: 1,500-3,500 SEK per season (split among players)

For a team of 12 playing 7-a-side:

Season fee: ~2,500 SEK
Per player: ~210 SEK for the entire season

That is roughly 15-20 SEK per match. Hard to beat.

Additional costs:

Match shirt: 200-400 SEK (one-time, optional)
Boots: Bring your own
Shin guards: Required, bring your own

Some teams collect extra for end-of-season dinners or tournaments. Ask your team captain about expectations.

Match Day: What Happens

A typical Korpen match:

Before the match:

Arrive 15 minutes early
Find your pitch (check the schedule for location)
Warm up on your own
No referees in lower divisions (self-officiated)

The match:

2 x 25-30 minute halves (varies by format)
Teams provide their own ball
Yellow/red cards exist but are rare
Results reported online after the match

After the match:

Shake hands with opponents
Many teams grab a beer together
Results appear on korpen.se within a day

Lower divisions are relaxed. Higher divisions get more competitive. Choose accordingly.

Common Questions from Newcomers

“My Swedish is bad. Can I still play?” Yes. Many teams have international players. Football language is universal. You will pick up the Swedish terms fast.

“I haven’t played in years. Which division?” Join a Division 7 team to start. Most returning players find their rhythm within a few matches. If you want more competition, look for teams in higher divisions that need players.

“Can women play in Herr leagues?” Yes. Herr leagues allow all genders. Dam leagues are women-only.

“What if I miss matches?” Teams handle this internally. Most expect you to show up regularly. Communicate absences in advance.

“Is there promotion and relegation?” No. You stay in your division all season. Next season you can request a different division based on results.

Alternatives to Korpen

Korpen is not the only option for recreational football in Stockholm.

FC Urban: Drop-in matches you book individually. No team commitment. Pay per game. Good for irregular schedules.

Meetup groups: Pickup games organized through Meetup.com. Casual, no registration, just show up.

SvFF clubs: If you want more structure, training, and competitive play, consider joining a traditional club. FC Nordljus offers programs for different commitment levels.

Quick Start Summary

Decide: Start a team or join an existing one
If starting: Gather 10+ players, register on korpen.se, pay the fee
If joining: Use Spelarbank or post in Facebook groups
Choose your format (7-a-side is most popular)
Choose your division (start lower if unsure)
Show up every week and play

That is Korpen. Simple once you understand the system.

Want more structure?

FC Nordljus offers organized training, coaching, and competitive league play in the SvFF system. We welcome players of all levels.

FAQs

What is Korpen football?

Korpen is Sweden's recreational sports organization. They run football leagues for adults who want to play without the commitment of traditional clubs. No promotion or relegation. Just weekly matches for fun.

How much does Korpen football cost in Stockholm?

Season fees range from 1,500 to 3,500 SEK per team, split among players. A team of 12 pays roughly 150-300 SEK per person for the season.

Can I join Korpen without a team?

Yes. Use the Spelarbank (player bank) to register as an individual. Teams looking for players can find you there.

What is the difference between Korpen and SvFF?

Korpen is recreational with no league pyramid. SvFF clubs play in the official Swedish football system with promotion and relegation. Korpen is more casual, SvFF is more structured.

When does Korpen football season start?

Outdoor season runs May to October. Indoor futsal runs November to March. Registration opens a few weeks before each season.