From Basel to Geneva: Get to know the stadiums at Women's Euro 2025
From Basel to Geneva: Get to know the stadiums at Women's Euro 2025
SINGAPORE – Switzerland is set to take centre stage this summer. Fresh off hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel , the alpine nation will once again open its doors to welcome the continent's finest footballers for Women's Euro 2025.
This will be the first time Switzerland is staging a major footballing tournament on its own since it hosted the World Cup in 1954. It has also co-hosted the men's Euro 2008 with Austria.
Ahead of kick-off on July 2, The Straits Times takes a look at the eight stadiums where the 31 matches will be played to determine the champions of Europe.
St Jakob-Park, Basel
St. Jakob-Park will host the final of Women's Euro 2025 on July 27.
PHOTO: REUTERS
With a capacity of 34,250, St Jakob-Park is Switzerland's largest football stadium and will be the stage for five fixtures, including the final. Home to Swiss Champions FC Basel, the stadium, established in 2001, has been the stomping ground for stars, with the likes of Ivan Rakitic and Mohamed Salah once plying their trade there.
F un fact: The city of Basel is situated in northern Switzerland and intersects the border between France and Germany.
Stadion Wankdorf, Bern
Stadion Wankdorf is the home ground of BSC Young Boys.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The home ground of Young Boys is second to St Jakob-Park in terms of its 29,800 capacity. Originally branded as Stade de Suisse when the stadium was rebuilt in 2005, a fan-driven petition saw it renamed in 2020 to pay respect to its roots . Located in Bern's Wankdorf district, it will be the venue for four matches, the opener being an Iberian derby between Portugal and tournament favourites Spain.
Fun fact: The 1954 World Cup final was played at the arena when West Germany came from 2-0 down to beat a Hungary team led by Ferenc Puskas 3-2 in what became known as the 'Miracle of Bern'.
Stade de Geneve, Geneva
Hosts Switzerland will play their final group-stage game at the Stade de Geneve.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Alongside the European headquarters of the United Nations , Geneva is home to the 26,750- seater Stade de Geneve, where Servette FC play their home games . Located at the Western edge of the city near Lake Geneva , the stadium offers stunning views of the Alps. H osts Switzerland's final group stage game against Finland is among the five matches to be held there.
Fun fact: 90 per cent of the drinking water in the city is extracted from Lake Geneva, with the remainder coming from groundwater.
Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
The Stadion Letzigrund has a running track that surrounds the pitch.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The Stadion Letzigrund is the home ground for Swiss Super League sides FC Zurich and Grasshopper Club Zurich , mirroring other European strongholds like the San Siro in Milan. The stadium has a capacity of 22,700 and will play host to two of defending champions England's three group-stage games . It is multi-purpose , with a running track surrounding the pitch that serves as the venue for athletics' Diamond League event.
Fun fact: The Stadion Letzigrund also holds concerts. Ed Sheeran will be performing there from Aug 2-3 as part of the European leg of his tour.
Arena St Gallen
An aerial view of Kybunpark in St Gallen.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Arena St Gallen, also known as Kybunpark, is perched 652m above sea level, making it Switzerland's highest professional football stadium. The arena has a capacity of 16,300 and it is the home ground of FC St Gallen, Switzerland's oldest football club and the second oldest in continental Europe. The arena will host three group-stage games , welcoming the likes of Germany, France and England.
Fun fact: Arena St Gallen is located in a retail park, wedged between Ikea and Decathlon stores. There is even a shopping centre underneath the stadium.
Allmend Stadion, Lucerne
The Stadion Allmend is part of a larger multi-use complex that includes two residential towers.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The Allmend Stadion, also called Swissporarena, is a 14,350- seater stadium and is the home of FC Luzern . The stadium in the central Switzerland city is part of a larger multi-use complex that features a sports centre and two residential towers offering stunning views, including Mount Pilatus in the Swiss Alps . Its three games include the opening Group D clash between Wales and the Netherlands.
Fun fact: The locals speak Lucerne German, an Alemannic Swiss-German dialect specific to the city.
Arena Thun, Thun
The tournament will kick off in Arena Thun on July 2.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The Arena Thun, also known as Stockhorn Arena has a capacity of just 8,100. It is also the only ground to have an artificial grass surface . The alpine town itself is one of the most beautiful in Switzerland, l ocated in the Bernese Oberland region and overlooked by the Stockhorn mountain . The tournament will kick off here with Iceland and Finland facing off against each other.
Fun fact: The stadium is home to FC Thun, who famously reached the Champions League group stage in the 2005-06 season, putting the club on the European football map.
Stade de Tourbillon, Sion
The Stade de Tourbillon remains one of the few grounds that has not been rebuilt this century.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Home to 13-time Swiss Cup winners FC Sion, Stade de Tourbillon, the smallest of the stadiums, is steeped in history despite being situated in a city with a population of around 37,000 people . Originally opened in 1968, the 7,750- seater remains one of the few grounds that has not been rebuilt this century, last receiving renovations in 1989 when roofs were installed across all four stands. Group B's opening game between Belgium and Italy is among the three games to be played there.
Fu n fact: The stadium gets its name from the Chateau de Tourbillon, a medieval castle overlooking the city high up on the surrounding hills .
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