The bankruptcy of Anrika Vetlanda speedway has been at the top of the agenda ahead of the season premiere.
Vetlanda with six Swedish Championship gold medals in the 2000s went bankrupt and withdrew from the elite series in speedway - a message that came a month before the season premiere.
A hard blow to both the sport and the league.
At the same time, the corona pandemic with associated restrictions has been tough for the sport, with lost audience revenue.
The big challenge
- Above all, we look forward to a season that is not affected by the pandemic now after two years, says Mikael Holmstrand who is chairman of the Swedish league association ESS.
He believes the big economic challenge this year is about the influx of spectators after the pandemic.
- A new season awaits with some unknown parts, and the big challenge will be to get the people back in the stands.
If it fails at some clubs, then you have to slow down on the cost side.
On Tuesday, the matches start in the speedway's highest league.
For the Lions, this begins with a home match against Rospiggarna.
In the clip above, you hear Mikael Holmstrand tell if he thinks that more clubs risk meeting the same fate as Vetlanda has done.