Idrottsplanen

Idrottsplanen is a Swedish term referring to outdoor spaces designed for sports and physical education. The word combines idrott (sport) with planen (the field/ground). In everyday usage, it denotes a sports field or pitch within a larger park, schoolyard, or municipal sports facility.

Typically owned or administered by municipalities or educational authorities, idrottsplanen serves local clubs, schools, and the general public. It is used for football, athletics, rugby, track and field, or as a general exercise area, often accommodating multiple sports on a single site. Surfaces vary between natural grass and artificial turf; some sites include a running track, tennis courts, or a small multi-purpose court. Lighting, goal posts, fencing, changing rooms, and storage facilities are common, depending on site size and funding.

Access is usually regulated through reservation systems, booking hours, or field allocations to clubs, schools, and community groups. Maintenance, including mowing, irrigation, line marking, and surface care, is typically carried out by the municipality or a school district, funded by local budgets and, at times, user fees. Seasonal considerations and weather affect availability, with some fields closed during freezing conditions or after heavy rain to protect the surface.

Idrottsplanen plays a central role in public health and community life by providing safe, managed spaces for children’s PE classes, amateur sports, and organized competitions. See also: idrottsanläggning, fotbollsplan.