CirkusExpo is an industry event aimed specifically at Swedish, Danish and Finnish circus companies/artists, held at Riksteatern, Stockholm on February 12–13, 2026. February 13 is the day of the pitch presentations, where you as a circus company/artist have the opportunity to present your project. 
Previews will be presented on February 12 and 13. Participation is by application.

Apply

CirkusExpo 2026 will invite 16 circus companies/artists of those who have applied to give pitch presentations. Already touring and upcoming projects can be presented.

Please note that the application means being allowed to present a pitch or preview, not whole performances.

Companies must give a live pitch/preview presentation and are offered a place in the online catalogue for a pre-recorded presentation. Only companies based in Sweden, Denmark and Finland can apply via this application. Decision will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Please note, you have the opportunity to apply with both a preview and a pitch. If selected, you will be offered the chance to present one of these options.  
 


Pitch and Preview presentations 


Pitch

The time frame is six minutes for the pitch. It is possible to show a video (max 3 min) and/or Power point, but we do not offer any other technical equipment or rigging for live performances. Presentations should be held in English. 


Preview

A preview is the opportunity to show an extract of your work.  The exact length of the selected previews will be communicated after selection and is between 10–30 min. 


The previews are presented in a black box theater at Riksteatern. The black box is equipped with basic sound and lighting equipment. A certain level of rigging is possible. The performance area is: 9 metres wide x 6 metres deep x 8 metres high.  
 


Online Catalogue 


The selected companies are offered a spot on the CirkusExpo website for a 3-minute pre-produced video presenting of the project and is also given their own information page.  


The video is filmed and produced by the company. The company must deliver the video in mp4 format (HD resolution 1080p) to CirkusExpo by January 8th 2026 at the latest. 
 


Guide for the application 


Note that the requested filmed material in the application must be able to be downloaded via a link. 

For already touring productions: Full-length video of the performance.

For upcoming productions: Filmed work-in-progress material.

The application will only be processed if, by the deadline, you have also sent an email to cirkusexpo@riksteatern.se with one portrait and one landscape high-resolution image (300 dpi) in jpg or tif, representing the project. The image(s) will be used in the online catalogue on the Riksteatern website and may also be used for marketing purposes during the event. The company/artist is responsible for the rights to use the image(s) according to above.

Selection criteria 


Only companies/artists based in Sweden, Denmark and Finland may apply.

Productions that are already touring must be bookable by fall 2026 at the laytest. For projects that are not yet complete, they premiere must be planned by 2027 at the latest.

The selection takes into account different target groups, formats, aesthetic expressions and concepts as well as artistic quality.

Perspectives regarding the selection: artistic quality, format, targeted audience, multicultural perspective, diversity perspective and norm and gender perspective. 
 

The focus is to present a high-quality, dynamic and varied range of projects, which can be suitable for a variety of venues and contexts. 
 
 

Selection committee

For Swedish companies:
The selection is made by a reference group consisting of representatives from various organizations working with circus in Sweden and the artistic director for circus at Riksteatern.  


For Danish Companies: 

The selection is made by a reference group consisting of representatives from The Danish Arts Foundation and the artistic director for circus at Riksteatern.

For Finnish Companies: 

The selection is made by a reference group consisting of representatives from Circus & Dance Info Finland and the artistic director for circus at Riksteatern.  


Important dates

• Application opens: August 18, 2025
• Application closes: August 14, 2025
• Decision: October 1, 2025
• Video for the online catalogue must be submitted in by January 8, 2025

Support for participation  


Sweden-based circus artists who are members of Cirkuscentrum can apply for financial support to cover costs related to registration, travel, and accommodation for CirkusExpo. 


Within the collaboration with Circus and Dance Info Finland, Finnish circus artist will get travel and accommodation support. Info will be given to the selected companies/artists.

Danish companies can apply for travel grants via The Danish Arts Foundation

The application period has expired.

CirkusExpo – Nordic platform for circus arts is presented by: Riksteatern, The Swedish Arts Council, The Danish Arts Foundation, Circus and Dance Info Finland.
In collaboration with: Subtopia.
With support of: The Swedish Arts Grants Committee, Cirkuscentrum, L'Institut français de Suède.