Staying at a school

Being based at a school during Gothia Cup is a lively, active experience. It probably gives you the very best opportunities to make contacts with new football friends during Gothia Cup. There can be teams from many different countries and parts of the world staying at the same school. This is one of the privileges of participating in Gothia Cup, but it also makes demands of us all to show respect for one another.

Here, we’ll explain what it’s like to stay at a school during the tournament.

The school building

Each school can host between 10 and 40 teams. Most schools have a courtyard – sometimes with a small football pitch. Schools located outside the city center usually have more space.

Teams will be accommodated either in a classroom adapted for one team or in a larger hall (e.g., a sports hall) shared with other teams from the same club. The size of the room is based on the number of participants your team registered by April 10th.

All teams at the school share common areas like hallways, lounge areas, toilets, and showers.

Changing rooms and showers

Showers are shared by all teams and are usually located in a separate building together with the school gym. There are different changing rooms for boys and girls, but not special ones for adults.

Typically, each changing room has four or five showers. Some might have curtains or doors for more privacy, but this is not always the case.

Changing rooms and showers can be a source of concern for some participants. We understand that kids at this age might be curious, so we recommend that an adult is present in the changing room with the team. We urge teams to go to the showers in groups.

Toilets

Toilets are cleaned in the morning, evening, and throughout the day. Soap, toilet paper, and hand paper are provided. Please don’t throw hand paper in the toilets, as this can easily cause blockages.

School cafeteria

In Sweden, schoolchildren eat a warm lunch every day. Thanks to support from local municipalities, we can use schools and kitchens to offer you healthy, nutritious meals.

Meals are served as a buffet – you take the food yourself. Everyone should be able to eat enough, but please start with a small portion and go back for more if you’re still hungry. After eating, you clean your table and take your dishes to the dish area. Everyone helps to keep the school cafeteria clean and pleasant. Read more about eating at a school cafeteria here.

Special food

If you have a food allergy or need special meals, you must order this in advance through your Gothia Account. The deadline to order special meals is May 10th. Read more about special food here.

Nut-Free Zone

All schools in Sweden are nut-free zones. This means you may not bring any products that contain nuts, such as Nutella, Snickers, or similar, into the any of the school buildings including the cafeteria.

Your dormitory

You’ll sleep in a classroom that is prepared for accommodation. The desks and school materials will still be in the room, and it’s important that you don’t use or damage anything. The students and teachers trust you to take care of their space.

Desks should be placed against one wall – never in front of windows, which are emergency exits. There must also be a clear path from the mattresses to the door. The best setup is to place your bag above your head, against the wall. This is a fire safety requirement – there must always be a clear, unobstructed way out of the room.

Players and team leaders sleep in the same room. There are no separate rooms for leaders. You are responsible for keeping your room clean, taking out the trash, and avoiding any damage to the room during the week.

The size of your sleeping room is based on each person using a mattress that is no wider than 75 cm. This is important to make sure everyone fits. If someone brings a mattress that’s too wide, we may ask that two people share it. Teams who travel far by flight to participate at Gothia Cup can rent mattresses from us to an additional cost.

Some teams sleep in gym halls. This is usually for clubs with several teams. A gym can offer more space, but it also means it might be noisier with many people in the same room.

We are aware that there is not a lot of space in the rooms, and that it demands a little structure and discipline to make it work.

Waste sorting

In Sweden, recycling and waste sorting is required by law. During the week, we ask that you help sort your waste into food waste, deposit bottles/cans, cardboard, and plastic. School hosts will help make this as easy as possible.

Security deposit

Before arrival, your team must pay a deposit through your Gothia Account. The deposit will be refunded after the tournament if there are no issues at check-out. This includes returning keys, avoiding damage to the school or sleeping room, and not leaving air mattresses behind.

To avoid thefts and break-ins

Never leave your room unattended. The last person out must always lock the door – even if you're just stepping out into the hallway. Make sure doors and windows are closed and locked when you leave. Do not leave valuables in the room. If you see anyone who doesn’t belong at the school, ask them who they are and report it to the school hosts.

The school hosts

Every school has hosts who are there for your safety and support. Our volunteers do this because they want to meet you and be part of the world’s largest youth football tournament.

Team leaders are always responsible for their players. If everyone helps out and follows these guidelines, you’ll have a fun and memorable week!