Historic Boxing Event Planned at Gamla Bíó in Reykjavík

2026-03-09 - 12:06

A boxing event scheduled for April will bring competitive bouts back to one of Iceland’s historic sporting venues. As reported by Fight News, the promotion company Nordic Ring Promotions plans to stage the event at Gamla Bíó (Old Cinema) in Reykjavík on 10 April. What's the Story? Boxing event at Gamla Bíó in Reykjavík on 10 April 2026 Venue previously hosted boxing matches in the mid-20th century, including bouts involving Guðmundur Arason Featured fighters listed as Kolbeinn Kristinsson, Valgerður Guðsteinsdóttir, Emin Kadri Eminsson, Brage Lange, Hafþór Magnússon, Ísak Guðnason and Zalmai Jasur Gamla Bíó. Photo: TommyBee. Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain. Sport Returns to the Venue Though one might not think so looking at it from the outside, Gamla Bíó actually has a longstanding connection with the sport. During the mid-20th century, Gamla Bíó hosted boxing matches that drew large audiences and helped establish the sport’s early presence in Iceland. Fighters including the late Guðmundur Arason, who fought for the sports’ legalisation in Iceland for 45 years, competed there. For wider context, boxing events were effectively halted in Iceland following legislation introduced in 1956 that restricted professional prize fighting. Amateur boxing, however, continued through organised sports federations and clubs across the country. Today, amateur boxing remains part of the Icelandic sports movement and is overseen by the national boxing federation. The legal framework governing professional boxing has been the subject of ongoing discussion in Icelandic politics and sport. Organisers say the April event will feature several Icelandic fighters alongside international opponents. The scheduled participants include Kolbeinn Kristinsson, Valgerður Guðsteinsdóttir, Emin Kadri Eminsson, Brage Lange, Hafþór Magnússon, Ísak Guðnason and Zalmai Jasur. More coverage of Icelandic sport and cultural history can be found at Iceland Review.