Åland Open 2023

Åland Open 2023

In the summer of 2023, Åland took a bold step onto the global disc golf stage by hosting the Åland Open – a PDGA Europe Silver Series event that became one of the continent’s most talked-about tournaments. What started as an ambitious idea to showcase Åland as a premium disc golf destination quickly evolved into a resounding success, setting new benchmarks in player experience, audience reach, and destination branding.

A New Identity for Åland: From Archipelago to Disc Golf Nation

Åland Open 2023 wasn’t just another tournament; it was a strategic milestone. With the dream of one day hosting a World Championship on the islands, Åland positioned itself as an independent sports nation in the eyes of the disc golf community. For the first time, local players proudly competed under the Åland flag, and the government actively supported the initiative.

Organic Growth, Global Reach

Despite facing stiff competition from other European events, Åland Open attracted one of the strongest fields ever assembled in Europe – the 7th best start list historically. Thanks to a clever use of organic social media, every registered player received a personalized welcome that was amplified across their networks. No paid advertising. No flashy campaigns. Just genuine engagement.

And it worked.

Åland Open 2023

The livestream was watched by over 150,000 viewers, with more than 350,000 hours viewed on YouTube and Disc Golf Network. The tournament even outperformed the American Mid America Open and the iconic Järva Open in terms of views – a stunning achievement for a first-time Silver Series event.

World-Class Experience On and Off the Course

The player experience was a top priority. Everything from the high-quality player jerseys to custom discs and accessories was designed not only for functionality, but to act as long-lasting marketing tools. Even our main sponsor agreed to keep their logo off the jerseys to ensure players would wear them proudly long after the event.

The tournament village became a hub of community, excitement, and connection – praised by players and fans alike.

Planting the Seeds for the Future

With over 4,400 disc golfers visiting Åland in 2023 and contributing to more than 15,000 overnight stays, the economic and cultural impact of disc golf on the islands is now undeniable – nearly on par with traditional golf tourism, but at a fraction of the maintenance cost.

The success of Åland Open 2023 laid the foundation for Operation Outdoor, a long-term initiative to promote Åland as a hub for emerging sports like disc golf, bouldering, and kayaking.

What’s Next?

While Åland was offered the chance to host another elite-level pro event in 2024, the timing clashed with the Tall Ships Race. Rather than compromise, we chose to double down on the future – juniors.

In 2024, Åland will focus on launching one of Europe’s most exciting junior disc golf initiatives, with backing from PDGA Europe and a vision to cultivate the next generation of disc golf stars right here in the Baltic Sea.

Åland Open 2023 was just the beginning. The journey to the World Championship has only begun.