Greensboro Welcomes Team Norway
“UNCG is proud to support an international team of this caliber as it prepares to compete on the world stage,” stated UNCG Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. This sentiment captures the excitement surrounding Greensboro’s recent designation as the Team Base Camp city for the Norwegian National Football Team ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
As the host city, Greensboro will provide the Norwegian team with essential training facilities at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). The Greensboro Sports Foundation, in collaboration with the City of Greensboro, UNCG, and the Greensboro Convention & Visitors Bureau, played a pivotal role in securing this opportunity.
Greensboro’s selection reflects the strength of its partnerships and UNCG’s outstanding facilities, which have previously hosted international teams. Notably, UNCG served as a training facility for Brazil’s SE Palmeiras during the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, showcasing its capability to support elite teams.
Hosting Team Norway is expected to contribute an estimated $4.2 million to Greensboro’s local economy, highlighting the economic benefits of such international events. Greensboro Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter remarked, “This selection reflects the strength of our partnerships, UNCG’s outstanding facilities, and our city’s commitment to international athletics.”
In addition to the excitement surrounding Team Norway, the University of North Carolina is also making headlines as it prepares for the 2026 ACC Tournament. The Tar Heels received a double bye into the quarterfinal round as the No. 4 seed, aiming to secure their first tournament title since 2016.
With a record of 24-7 entering the postseason, UNC has a storied history in the ACC Tournament, having won 18 championships and holding an impressive overall record of 110-53 in the event. The tournament is set to commence on March 10, 2026, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.
As Greensboro elevates its profile as a global “tournament town,” Richard Beard, President of the Greensboro Sports Foundation, noted, “It elevates Greensboro’s reputation as a global ‘tournament town’ and showcases our community’s world-class facilities and hospitality on the international stage.” The combination of hosting Team Norway and the upcoming ACC Tournament positions Greensboro as a significant player in the realm of sports.
As both events unfold, Greensboro looks forward to the opportunities and recognition that come with hosting international and collegiate athletic competitions. Details remain unconfirmed regarding further developments, but the city is poised to make a lasting impression on the global sports landscape.
