Kalmar Prepares for Agility World Championship – Aiming to Become Even More Dog-Friendly
With just over a week left until the Agility World Championship 2025, preparations are in full swing throughout Kalmar. The goal is for the world championship to be more than just a five-day festival. Kalmar wants to seize this opportunity to become an even more dog-friendly destination.
A Growing Dog-Friendly Destination
Kalmar has a long tradition of beloved dog events, and step by step, these have contributed to making the destination more dog-friendly. Today, there are many options for those who want to stay with their dog in Kalmar, and dogs are welcomed at an increasing number of activities and places.
”The number of dog owners has increased in recent years, and for many, the dog is not just a pet – it’s a natural family member, which of course affects how they plan their vacation. More and more people want to travel with their dog, not just during events but year-round. Dog owners are a large and important target group that can bring new opportunities for the tourism industry,” says Marcus Larsson, Head of Events and Meetings at Destination Kalmar.
Research and Initiatives
Destination Kalmar is participating in a research project on dog tourism at Lund University. To translate research into action, they are also implementing the Dog-Friendly Kalmar County project in collaboration with Region Kalmar County. The Agility World Championship will serve as a catalyst for testing and launching dog-friendly initiatives.
Concrete Steps Towards Dog-Friendliness
Key steps include:
- Adding new pages to kalmar.com with practical tips for visitors with dogs
- Creating decals for cafes, restaurants, and shops to indicate dog-friendliness
- Producing a brochure to inspire dog owners during and after the event
Shopping centers The Box and Baronen Köpcenter now welcome dogs in common areas, with individual stores deciding their own policies. Kvarteret Giraffen will also experiment with dog-friendliness during the championship week.
Agility World Championship 2025 Details
- Dates: September 17-21, 2025
- Venue: Hatstore Arena in Kalmar
- Participants: 528 teams from 41 countries
- Opening Ceremony: September 16 at 6:00 PM (free entry)
- Expected daily audience: Approximately 2,000 spectators
”Soon, hundreds of dog owners from different parts of the world will come to Kalmar, and together we will ensure they have an excellent experience that they will remember and share with others. It’s wonderful to see all the initiatives that have emerged, and especially exciting to know they will continue long after the event,” says Ida Qvarnström, Project Manager for Agility World Championship 2025.
For more information, visit agilitywc2025.com
