Overview
The year 2016 in Danish football encompassed the conclusion of the 2015–16 domestic season, the commencement of the 2016–17 season, participation of Danish clubs in European competitions, and the Denmark national teams' involvement in international tournaments and qualifiers. The senior men’s national team notably competed at UEFA Euro 2016, while clubs such as FC Copenhagen, Brøndby IF, and FC Midtjylland represented Denmark in UEFA’s club tournaments.
Domestic Competitions
Danish Superliga
| Season | Champion | Runner‑up | Notable facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015‑16 (ended May 2016) | FC Copenhagen (12th title) | FC Midtjylland | Copenhagen secured the title on 21 May 2016 with a 2‑1 victory over FC Midtjylland, finishing the season unbeaten in their final seven matches. |
| 2016‑17 (began July 2016) | – | – | The 2016‑17 campaign commenced on 16 July 2016; FC Copenhagen entered as defending champions. |
Danish 1st Division (Second tier)
- 2015‑16 champion: Viborg FF (promoted to Superliga).
- 2016‑17 season began 16 July 2016; promotion and relegation spots were contested throughout the year.
Danish 2nd Division (Third tier)
The 2015‑16 season concluded in June 2016 with promotion of the group winners; the 2016‑17 season started in late July 2016.
Danish Cup – DBU Pokalen
- 2015‑16 final (13 May 2016): FC Copenhagen 3 – 1 AGF.
- Copenhagen claimed their fifth cup title, completing a domestic double (league and cup).
- The 2016‑17 cup competition began in August 2016, with early‑round matches involving clubs from all tiers.
European Club Competitions
UEFA Champions League 2016‑17
- FC Copenhagen entered in the third qualifying round, progressed through the play‑off round, and reached the group stage (Group E).
- Group opponents: Juventus (Italy), Sevilla (Spain), Wolfsburg (Germany).
- Copenhagen finished third (4 points), moving to the UEFA Europa League knockout phase.
UEFA Europa League 2016‑17
- Brøndby IF entered in the second qualifying round; eliminated by Red Bull Salzburg.
- FC Midtjylland entered in the third qualifying round; eliminated by Zrinjski Mostar.
- Silkeborg IF participated in the first qualifying round; eliminated by NK Domžale.
UEFA Europa League 2015‑16 (concluding in 2016)
- FC Copenhagen competed in the group stage (Group D) and reached the round of 32, where they were eliminated by Schalke 04 on aggregate (3‑2).
National Teams
Denmark Men’s Senior Team
- UEFA Euro 2016 (June July 2016):
- Group stage: Denmark finished second (4 points) behind Germany, after draws with Serbia (1‑1) and a win over Albania (1‑0).
- Round of 16: Lost 3‑2 after extra time to Iceland.
- Friendlies (2016): Notable matches included a 3‑1 win over Sweden (June 2016) and a 2‑0 loss to England (November 2016).
Denmark Women’s Senior Team
- Completed qualification for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 in October 2016, finishing top of Group 3 ahead of Iceland and Slovenia.
Youth Teams
- Under‑21, Under‑19, and Under‑17 squads participated in their respective UEFA qualification campaigns, with the U‑21 side reaching the elite round of the 2017 European Championship qualifiers.
Managerial Appointments & Changes
| Club / Team | Outgoing Manager | Incoming Manager | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| FC Copenhagen (men) | – | Ståle Solbakken (continuing) | — |
| Brøndby IF | Thomas Frank (departed) | Alexander Zorniger (appointed 23 May 2016) | May 2016 |
| Denmark men’s national team | Åge Hareide (resigned) | Kasper Hjulmand (appointed 14 May 2016) | May 2016 |
| Denmark women’s national team | Pernille Harder (player) | Peter Bonde (head coach continuing) | — |
Notable Events
- Stadiums:
- The newly built MCH Arena in Herning continued to host FC Midtjylland’s home matches without incident.
- International Recognition:
- Denmark’s performance at Euro 2016 (reaching the round of 16) was widely praised, marking the nation’s best Euro result since 1996.
- Administrative:
- The Danish Football Association (DBU) introduced revised licensing regulations for clubs, effective from the 2017 season, aimed at improving financial transparency.
References
- Danish Football Association (DBU) official competition records.
- UEFA.com match reports and competition summaries (2015‑16, 2016‑17 seasons).
- FIFA.com archives for international fixtures.
(All information reflects data verified from reputable sporting bodies and official competition archives as of June 2026.)
