THE FUTURE OF THE GOTLAND GRAND NATIONALS!
Nordic Sport & Event (organizer) is getting closer and closer to obtaining a building permit for a permanent enduro track in Hejdeby on Gotland.
On October 17, 2025, the organizer of the world’s largest enduro race, the Gotland Grand National, took a major step toward securing the race’s future.
Since August 28, 2023, when the organizer was notified by the Swedish Armed Forces that, after 40 years, it was no longer permitted or able to continue operations at the historic Tofta firing range, the organizer has been working to ensure the competition’s survival. By the end of 2024, the company had won legal victories in five courts and prevailed after several families appealed both the off-road driving permit and the Environmental Code.
In 2024 and 2025, the organizer has received permission from the county administrative board for exemptions from the Off-Road Driving Act, granted on a year-by-year basis.
“On February 18, 2025, we submitted our application to Region Gotland requesting that the track in Hejdeby become a permanent enduro track,” says Conny Bohlin, CEO of Nordic Sport & Events, in a press release. “Since then, in parallel with this year’s competition, we have been working diligently to ensure that GGN obtains the necessary permits to secure the competition’s future,” Conny Bohlin added.
On October 17, 2025, the Department of Community Development sent Nordic Sport & Event its proposed decision regarding the Environmental Code. The proposal is addressed to the Environment and Building Committee.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
The Environment and Building Committee has decided that the application for a new enduro track is not expected to have a significant environmental impact.
“The fact that Region Gotland is now proposing that we be able to use the track in Hejdeby means an immense amount in our work for Gotland, sports, and the future, and for others who are interested, it gives us new strength and energy to continue on the path we’ve chosen,” says Conny Bohlin.
The board is scheduled to make a decision in November.
As early as this Friday, October 24, 2025, the board is scheduled to make a decision on the building permit.
– As for the building permit, it’s already on the agenda for this Friday, October 24, 2025, when the competition enters its second day (the first day of the engine competition).
"The case is divided into two parts: one concerning the building permit itself and the other concerning the Environmental Code," says Conny Bohlin, who is very pleased with the decision and adds that he had expected it to be approved.
“We have done everything required of us in terms of investigations, sampling, and the thorough environmental impact assessment that was completed as early as 2024, and we have engaged experts who specialize exclusively in these issues. We now expect the board to approve both matters so that we can move forward without disruption and develop the competition and the company by hosting more events in the future,” concludes Conny Bohlin.
