VARGARNA RETURNS TO EIGHT-TEAM BAUHAUS ELITSERIEN IN SWEDEN

The Bauhaus Elitserien will have a new club for 2024 as Norrkoping side Vargarna returns to Sweden’s top flight.

The club dropped into the Allsvenskan League, Sweden’s second tier, voluntarily in 2015.

But with the Elitserien losing clubs like Vetlanda and Masarna in recent years, Wolves’ return comes as a huge boost – taking the competition back up to eight teams.

A seven-team league caused a number of problems in 2023, as one club was always forced to sit out a round due to the odd numbers of teams. Now every side can be in action every week.

Vargarna chairman Michael Olsson says the time is right for his club to take the step back up. He said: "After we chose to voluntarily go down to the Allsvenskan in 2015, it has been a long wait to get back up to the highest league again. 

“We are now stepping up again to participate and challenge again. Our goal is to establish ourselves in the highest league and we are really looking forward to this challenge, where we hope to be able to join the fight for a play-off spot in the first season.”

Elite Speedway Sweden chairman Michael Holmstrand is pleased to welcome the Wolves back. He said: "From ESS's side, we are happy that the Wolves dare to take the step. Many clubs have announced a reduced budget for next year and this probably means that the step between the series will be a little shorter and more manageable. 

“Vargarna is a classic club and Norrköping will be the league's largest city in which we operate, which is positive from a public and media perspective. We look forward to welcoming the Wolves into the ESS and Bauhaus league in 2024.”