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SWITZERLAND
2018-19
www.liberoguide.com
SWITZERLAND 2018-19
www.liberoguide.com
intr o
St Jakob Park
In addition, for 2018-19, the Swiss
champions do not gain an automatic
slot in the group stage of the Champions
Stadio Cornaredo
League. Local neutrals welcomed
Berne’s title triumph in 2017-18,
bringing competition and variety.
Dominated by FC Basel from 2010 footballing royalty, ‘GC’ now attract Sion, capital of the Valais, home canton
onwards, the Swiss Super League was gates of well under the league average of disgraced ex-FIFA boss Sepp Blatter, For foreign neutrals, away from the big
won by previous three-time runners-up of 11,000. is one of two current top-tier clubs from two in Basel and Berne, Swiss football
Young Boys in 2017-18, a first title for French-speaking Switzerland. With is a quaint throwback. No, it’s not
the Berne side since way back in 1986. St Gallen have long overtaken Lugano representing Italianate Ticino, cheap, but then nothing in Switzerland
Grasshoppers as top dogs in the ten-team Swiss Super League is Like in Scotland, the modest size of the is. The beer will be decent, the cervelat
Basel is the hotbed of Swiss football, Switzerland’s far north-east, up by the a microcosm of Switzerland’s (mainly) league means that teams meet each sausage too.
its St Jakob Park, known by all as German border. Like several others, three-language divide. other more than once home and away.
the ‘Joggeli’, providing the fieriest FCSG play in a new-build stadium. This four-game fixture set-up has been Station to stadium
atmosphere for the Swiss national team Supporters from six teams chant in the looked at by the Swiss Football League, Switzerland is well served by budget
as well as FCB. The other populist side Some, such as Lucerne, Lugano, same quirky form of Alemannic German worried by the Basel monopoly and low airlines, with hubs in Basel, Geneva
is FC Zürich, who share the Letzigrund Neuchâtel and Thun, have gorgeous that created the universal mantra to gates. Unlike in Scotland, the season and Zürich. Connecting all major
stadium with record champions Alpine backdrops, within reach of a lake back the national team, ‘Hopp Schwiiz!!’. isn’t split after Christmas. In 2017, Basel towns, Swiss Rail (sbb.ch/en/home.
Grasshoppers. Once considered served by sightseeing boats. We’re not in Hamburg anymore, Toto. won the title with six games to spare. html) offers Supersaver tickets online.
liberoguide.com 1
SWITZERLAND 2018-19
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Letzigrund, Zürich Lugano
intr o
BASEL
ZÜRICH
ST GALLEN
Neuchâtel
BERNE LUCERNE
THUN
The bottom two from each regional
division of the 1.Liga Classic demote
LUGANO to the amateur 2.Liga Interregional,
SION
currently consisting of six regional
groups. Each winner goes up to the
fourth flight at the end of the season.
Below this level, the Swiss league
The last-placed team from the top FC Zürich cannot gain promotion to pyramid fans out into a myriad regional
division drops into the second-tier the Challenge League – otherwise, the groups, from the sixth-flight 2.Liga to
Those paying full fare can at least take Tables & trophies Challenge League. Also consisting of winners go up. the ninth-tier 5.Liga.
advantage of the City-Ticket scheme The Swiss Super League consists of ten teams who play each other home
that incorporates urban transport at ten teams who play each other home and away twice, the Challenge League The bottom two clubs of the The Swiss Cup, the Schweizer Pokal,
your destination and/or setting-off point. and away twice. As of 2017-18, the currently includes FC Vaduz from Promotion League demote to the begins with qualifying rounds within
winners no longer gain automatic Liechtenstein, who can qualify for the fourth-tier 1.Liga. Their replacements each level of the nine-rung pyramid
Areas not covered by rail are served admission into the group stage of the Europa League by winning the national are decided by play-off, as the – between the hundreds of clubs within
by PostBus (www.postauto.ch/en), Champions League but must enter at cup organised by the tiny principality. 1.Liga (aka 1.Liga Classic or Erste the 2.Liga, the 3.Liga, and so on – before
regional buses run by the Swiss Post the play-off round stage. Liga, Première Ligue, Prima Lega) 64 teams take part in August’s Round
Office. Some are also the main transport The winners of the Challenge League comprises three regional groups, 1. This involves all Super League clubs
provider in smaller towns, such as Thun. Super League runners-up join the swaps places with the lowest side roughly French-speaking West, from two seasons before, the previous
Larger cities have a tram network. second qualifying round. The third- from the Super League, with no play- Central (German) and East (German, season’s top four from the Promotion
placed side goes into the Europa off system in place. Similarly, the Italian and Liechtenstein). The top League, plus the 40 to have won through
Swiss motorways require drivers to by League third qualifying round, the lowest-placed team in the second two from each of these divisions go by qualifying.
an annual tax disc (vignette) of SF40, fourth-placed, the second qualifying tier demotes to the third rung, the forward to the eight-team play-off
valid from December 1 of the previous round. Unless the winners of the Swiss Promotion League, whose 16 teams round, accompanied by the two best In 2017-18, ninth-tier Montfaucon
year to January 31 of the following one. Cup have already qualified for the face each other on the traditional third-placed finishers. Play-offs are (population 629) made Round 1, only to
They are sold at petrol stations, post Champions League, then they go into home-and-away basis. The reserve home-and-away, the semi-finals lose 21-0 to Neuchâtel. As for Rounds
offices and customs posts. the group stage of the Europa League. sides of top clubs such as Basel and producing four winners, the finals two. 2 and 3, the draw is seeded, lower-level
liberoguide.com 2
SWITZERLAND 2018-19
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Lugano
intr o
Au Celtique
Facilities are generally excellent, with Contents
beer and wine sold at stadium bars. 4 Basel
Stadio Cornaredo With Lausanne’s new ground in 2019, 5 FC Basel
and the overhaul of stadiums for Euro 6 Berne
2008, you’ll see the game in comfort, 7 Young Boys
clubs granted home advantage, ties summer the following June. All stops than the Super League’s, everything perhaps with an Alpine backdrop. 8 Lucerne
decided over one game, with extra-time for the winter break before Christmas, re-starting in early February and 9 FC Luzern
and penalties if required. the spring season starting up in early running until mid to late May. Welcome to liberoguide.com! 10 Lugano
February and running until mid to The digital travel guide for football fans, 11 FC Lugano
Giantkilling is rare. The quarter-finals late May. Match days are Saturdays Entry level liberoguide.com is the most up-to-date 12 Neuchâtel
are also one-game affairs, invariably and Sundays, the usual kick-off Apart from big games involving FC Basel resource, city-by-city, club-by-club, to 13 Neuchâtel Xamax
involving top-flight clubs. Semi-finals times being 4pm or 7pm. Occasional and Young Boys Berne, availability is the game across Europe. Using only 14 St Gallen
are over one leg, home advantage midweek games, on Wednesdays and rarely a problem and pay-on-the-day original photos and first-hand research, 15 FC St Gallen
drawn for. The final in May is staged at a Thursdays, are scheduled for 8pm. the norm. Cash payments are in Swiss taken and undertaken over five seasons, 16 Sion
showcase stadium, the Stade de Suisse francs. Nearly all clubs offer advance liberoguide.com has been put together 17 FC Sion
in Berne or the Stade de Genève. The Challenge League sychronises sales, online and in person. to enhance every football weekend and 18 Thun
its July kick-off with the top tier. The Euro night experience. From airport to 20 FC Thun
Season’s dealings weekly schedule runs from Friday to A place behind the goals is usually arena, downtown sports bar to hotel, 20 Zürich
The Swiss Super League starts early, Monday evenings at 7pm and 8pm. around SF25, prices rising to around liberoguide.com helps you get the best 21 Letzigrund
usually in late July, even as early as Some Sunday games start at 4pm. The SF50-SF60 on the sidelines. Home fans out of your visit to football’s furthest 22 Grasshoppers
the third week if it’s a tournament winter break comes a week earlier generally have a standing area. corners and showcase stadiums. 23 FC Zürich
liberoguide.com 3
SWITZERLAND 2018-19 Basel
www.liberoguide.com/basel
Basel SBB station tramline for St Jakob, the Radisson
Blu, has a pool and gym.
Basel
Also central but cheaper, the Stadthof
near Barfüsserplatz occupies a land-
mark building dating back to 1295.
By picturesque Rheingasse, the historic
Hotel Merian am Rhein has balconied
rooms overlooking the river.
Hotels surround the SBB station. These
include upscale chains such as the
Dorint as well as traditional railway
hotels such as the Euler, the Schweiz-
runs to the main Basel SBB (Swiss rail) erhof and the Victoria. The conversion
station. Tickets are available from the of the venerable Helvetia to the self
desk in Arrivals or the machine at the check-in b-smart motel Basel, how-
stop outside the terminal. ever, is a sign of the times.
Based near St Jakob, Taxi-Zentrale (+41 Beer
61 222 2222) charges SF45 from airport Barfüsserplatz is lined with restau-
to city. rants and cafés – the timeless Rio
(No.12) the best bar, the beerhall of
German trains use Basel Bad station, on Zum Braunen Mutz the best pub.
Basel
Turkey. Four months later, Basel faced The St Jakob stadium was built for the the other side of the Rhine.
their historic cousins FC Barcelona in 1954 World Cup, seeing 44 goals in For TV sport, Swiss pub chain Mr Pick-
the Champions League.The two clubs six games. These included the hosts City transport consists of trams and wick is central and displays seriously
Basel may adjoin France and Germany were formed by the same man, Jo- dumping Italy out of the competition, buses. A day pass is SF9.90, a single recherché retro football artefacts.
but this Rhine river port is the hotbed hannes (‘Hans’) Kamper, a young Swiss 4-1. The game established the Joggeli’s ticket SF3.80 but local hotels offer a Nearby Jerry’s is where the Swiss go
of Swiss football. St Jakob Park, home entrepreneur. On November 12, 1893, credentials as a real football ground, Mobility Ticket giving checking-in to watch big matches. It’s also a decent
of eight-time consecutive champions he saw an ad in the ‘National-Zeitung’ with crowd scenes never before seen in guests free use of public transport. late-night cocktail spot. The prominent
FC Basel and stage for the 2016 Europa asking to form a football club, FC Basel. sleepy Switzerland. Irish bar, big on sport, is Paddy Reilly’s
League Final, has the country’s fieriest Five years later, business took Kamper Bed near the station.
atmosphere. to Barcelona. There he became Joan Bearings The Basel Tourist Office (www.basel.
Gamper and founded FC Barcelona. Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport com/en) has a hotel-booking service. On Rheingasse, Fischerstube is a
The ‘Joggeli’ was rebuilt for Euro 2008, Back home, Basel didn’t become a is actually in France, 6km (4 miles) homely old bar that serves its own Ueli
staging the opening match and dramatic regular on the European circuit until north-west of Basel. Bus No.50 (every There are no hotels near the stadium. lager – regulars take turns to play the
semi-final, Germany’s 3-2 win over the 1970s. 8-10min, 17min journey time, SF4.70) Close to Aeschenplatz on the No.14 piano.
liberoguide.com 4
SWITZERLAND 2018-19 FC Basel
www.liberoguide.com/fc-basel
Tickets
FC Basel
There’s a ticket office (Mon-Fri 9.30am-
6.30pm, Sat 9am-6pm) at the back of
the club shop behind Stand A. Online
sales are German-language only.
The best seats in Stand A are SF65-
SF75, while a decent spot in Stand C
opposite is SF48-SF59. Tickets behind
the goals, and in the away sector are
SF25.
Shop & Museum
wisdom of holding the 2016 Europa Behind Stand A, the FC Basel Shop
League Final at such a relatively small (Mon-Fri 9.30am-6.30pm, Sat 9am-
arena was questioned. 6pm, match days) stocks souvenirs
from doormats to FCB-branded
Today’s Joggeli comprises four stands, condoms.
lettered A-D, A being the main stand
St Jakob Park
with the best seats, and bars and At the back of the main store is a ticket
restaurants behind it. Stands B and office, beside which is a discreet FCB
home end D are behind the goals. Away Museum. Among the artefacts is a
FC Basel
This is not the elegant St Jakob built for fans are allocated sectors B1 and B2 photo of the teams before Basel took
the 1954 World Cup, but a late 1990s between Stand A and B. on the great Uruguay side, Olympic
rebuild, inaugurated in 2001, for Euro champions in 1924.
Formed in 1893 by Hans Kamper, the 2008. Transport
later Joan Gamper who also founded The St Jakob has its own train station Bars
FC Barcelona, FC Basel (fcb.ch/en- Set beside a railway line and the St behind Stand C, with a regular direct The only venue near the ground is the
US/Home) are the top dogs of Swiss Alban stream, it allowed little room for connection (8min) with Basel SBB Wirtshaus St Jakob (St.Jakobs-Straße
football. Title winners eight times expansion when Basel was awarded station on match days only. 377), a traditional restaurant that has
running, FC Basel have dominated hosting rights for Euro 2008. The Basel Fan Shop/Museum
been serving guests since 1526.
the Swiss game since the turn of the solution was to rebuild. Regular transport is provided by
millennium. tram No.14 (direction Pratteln) that At the stadium, behind Stand A, the
Carried out by Basel-based architects While capacity for Euro 2008 was runs every 7min from downtown Rotblau Bar-Bistro is decorated with
FCB’s 38,500-capacity St Jakob Park, or Herzog & De Meuron, of Tate Modern 42,500, seats were later removed Barfüsserplatz eight stops away. It also old sports cuttings outside, and tasteful
‘Joggeli’, is two miles south-east of the and Allianz Arena fame, this cost of to provide more spectator comfort, passes through Aeschenplatz, linked football iconography. Menfolk can lay
city centre, part of a shopping complex reconstruction was SF 220 million, reducing the maximum accommodation by tram No.15 to the station. Allow 10- into big burgers and Schlossgold beers
and opposite a group of sports halls and creating a three-floor retail complex to 38,500. Considering the huge 12min from town. The tram drops you while kids get their own menu and a
pitches. of some 30 shops. numbers heading from Liverpool, the right by Main Stand A. table football table.
liberoguide.com 5
SWITZERLAND 2018-19 Berne
www.liberoguide.com/berne
Berne
Berne
Outside the Stade de Suisse in Berne
stands a reconstructed version of the
famous Longines clock that timed
matches here when this was the
Wankdorfstadion.
Leichtsinn
The scoreline on it reads ‘Ungarn 2
Deutschland 3’. The World Cup Final
of 1954, a shock German win over a Finally the hostel-like Hotel Glocke at
previously unbeatable Hungary one Rathausgasse 75 has a mix of singles,
wet July afternoon, changed football doubles and multi-bed rooms with shared
history. bathrooms, plus private doubles.
Set in the middle of Switzerland, Beer
easily accessible from the main Bars dot the Old Town. Many gather
airports of Basel and Zürich, this on the terrace of the Leichtsinn at
charming, cobbled capital hosted Kornhausplatz 10 to watch match
three matches for Euro 2008, the action – inside is an intimate, two-
Wankdorf knocked down to make way floor contemporary space.
for the eco-friendly Stade de Suisse.
Round the corner, Rathausgasse is
A regular venue for the Swiss Cup lined with cellar bars, most only open
Final, Berne is also home of Young after dark.
Boys (www.bscyb.ch). Twelve times
league champions, Young Boys were The nearest airports are Basel 117km (73 transport is free for match-ticket holders Ibis Budget Bern Expo stands alongside. At the edge of the Old Town, GOAL
a constant presence in the top three miles) and Zürich 140km (87 miles) away. for three hours before kick-off and two at Junkerngasse 1 is a football bar
of the Swiss Super League from 2008 hours after. Also in the vicinity at Militärstraße 38, the with a YB bent, where Swiss, Italian,
onwards until the long-awaited title A direct train service runs from Zürich Hotel Jardin is a traditional, mid-range German, English and Spanish top-
win of 2017-18. Airport (1hr 25min) and Basel SBB (1hr) Bed lodging with its own restaurant. league matches are screened in
to Berne station, a shortish stroll to the The Berne Tourist Office (bern.com/en/ a cellar that once hosted a Louis
Bearings city centre. The Stade de Suisse is over detail/tourist-information) has a hotel- In the Old Town. Equally old-school Armstrong aftershow in 1955.
Berne airport, 9km (5.5 miles) south- the river north-east of town. booking service. hotels include the historic Hotel Bern Other soccer-friendly spots include
east of town, is no longer used by The nearest hotel to the Stade de Suisse at Zeughausgasse 9, the Goldener Mr Pickwick on Wallgasse near
Berne-based SkyWork Airlines, Buses and trams form Berne’s transport is the four-star, business-friendly Hotel Schlüssel at Rathausgasse 72 and the station and, on Spitalgasse, the
which went bust in 2018. Currently it network. A single ticket is SF2.60, SF13 Novotel Bern Expo, by the terminus of the the more affordable Metropole at Nelson, both Berne branches of
only serves summer charters. for six journeys or a day pass. Public No.9 tram. The more budget-conscious Zeughausgasse 26. nationwide chains.
liberoguide.com 6
SWITZERLAND 2018-19 Young Boys
www.liberoguide.com/young-boys
Eleven 9am-5pm) in the Wankdorf Center,
Young boys
Papiermühlestraße 85, also distributes.
Online sales are dealt with by Eventim
and TicketCorner.
On match days, kiosks on three
corners of the stadium open 90min
before kick-off. Kassenhaus 1 on
Papiermühlestraße and Kassenhaus 3
on Sempachstraße then close 15min
before the match starts, Kassenhaus 2
stays open.
Home fans gather behind the goal in the
Ostkurve, even-numbered sectors D2- Prices start at SF25 to stand in the
D14 standing. Away fans are allocated home end, Tribüne D sectors, and SF35
B12-B15 in a corner of the opposite to sit – places limited. In Tribüne B
end. The best seats and boxes are behind the opposite goal, it’s SF35, and
accessed through Quartierplatz, the SF25 for away fans in the Gästesektor,
pedestrianised square containing the B13 and B15.
Restaurant Eleven.
Along the sidelines in Tribüne A or C,
Transport prices run from SF45 to SF70 for prime
Wankdorfstadion/ Stade de Suisse
Bern Wankdorf S-Bahn stop is by the seats.
stadium, 5min from Bern main station
on lines S1, S2, S3, S31 and S44. Shop
Young Boys
Built in 1925, the then 22,000-capacity Wankdorf was closed in 2001, Swiss At the YB-Fanshop (Mon-Fri noon-
Wankdorf, named after this area of watchmakers Longines renovated the Alternatively, tram No.9 leaves every 6.30pm, Sat 9am-noon, 1pm-5pm,
north-east Berne, was remodelled and famous clock from 1954 to stand outside 5-10min from outside the station (eight match days) in the Wankdorf Center,
The flagship club of the Swiss capital, expanded to a 64,000-capacity stadium the new Stade de Suisse, a high-tech stops, 10min), via the main square of Gäub-Schwarz paraphernalia includes
Young Boys (www.bscyb.ch) were worthy of staging a World Cup final. On rebuild. Built for Euro 2008, the Stade Zytglogge (6 stops, 7min). T-shirts bearing the foundation date of
crowned champions in 2017-18, after July 4 1954, all-conquering Hungary opened in 2005, solar panels covering an 1898, plus replica shirts.
three consecutive finishes as runners-up. fell to West Germany, a turning point in artificial pitch and 32,000 seats. Tickets
football history. Ticketing (Mon-Fri 8am-noon, 1pm- Bars
The Gäub-Schwarz were founded in Attracting Switzerland’s second biggest 5pm) at Papiermühlestraße 71 (third By the stadium on Quartierplatz, Eleven
1898 by students from Berne University, Three years later, YB won their first crowds after Basel, YB have put in floor) sells advance tickets, including (Mon-Fri 8.30am-11pm, Sat 5pm-11pm,
inspired by Basel’s Old Boys in yellow of four consecutive championships. credible title challenges, gained a draw by email (ticket@bscyb.ch) from14 Sun match days only) offers quality
and black. Early success led to the This side also made the semi-final of with Liverpool and wins over Napoli and days before the game. The YB- Italian food, live match screenings and
construction of the Wankdorfstadion. the European Cup in 1959. When the Udinese in the Europa League. Fanshop (Mon-Fri noon-6.30pm, Sat YB souvenirs.
liberoguide.com 7
SWITZERLAND 2018-19 Lucerne
www.liberoguide.com/lucerne
In town, the Luzernerhof on Alpenstraße
lucerne
is a reliable mid-range choice close
to the lake. Nearby Rebstock on St
Leodegarstraße has a sister operation
the Hotel Hofgarten on Stadthofstraße.
Overlooking the lake and the Chapel
Bridge, the Hôtel des Alpes is classier
Hotel Spatz
(and pricier) than its three-star
status might indicate. Alongside, the
Pickwick is attached to the chain pub of
the same name, with simpler, cheaper
rooms, all with waterfront views and
most with balconies.
Beer
Perhaps because of its location in the
middle of Switzerland, this city with
Chapel Bridge
one Swiss title to its name has plenty of
football bars. Eichhof is the local beer.
Boat restaurants offer it with a view –
A valid match ticket allows free use though at a price.
of the bus or S-Bahn to and from the
Lake Lucerne
stadium for up to three hours before and Pick of the pubs is Legends Luzern. Run
after the game. by the indefatigable Billy, it is a tucked
away near the lake on Löwenstraße.
Lucerne
minutes, to the site of the old Stadion Bearings Ernst Hess taxis (+41 41 310 10 10) are Nearby Anfield Pub (Seehofstraße 7) is
Allmend that served the club from 1934. The nearest airport is Zürich 67km (41.5 based near the swissporeana. a somewhat predictably themed sports
miles) away. One train an hour runs bar, busy for big matches.
The lakeside resort of Lucerne is as Overlooked for the 1954 World Cup and directly from Zürich Airport to Lucerne Bed
pretty a setting as you’ll find for a Euro 2008, railway hub Lucerne is set 1hr away, tickets SF28. The Lucerne Tourist Office (www.luzern. The Lucerne branch of Swiss chain Mr
football match – even in Switzerland. in the heart of Switzerland, convenient com/en/index.cfm) has a hotel-booking Pickwick sticks to the standard formula
Home of flagship club FC Luzern, the from Zurich, Berne and Basel. Buses comprise the public transport. A service. of its counterparts but also offers an
swissporarena is not lakeside but close single ticket is SF3.20, a day pass SF6.40. unsurpassable view of the lake from its
to snow-capped mountains, and by a A top-flight proposition since 2006, The Swissporaeana is in the same zone The only hotel near the stadium is the terrace. It has rooms upstairs.
classic Swiss chalet restaurant. FC Luzern have lost three cup finals 101 as Lucerne station. There’s an Spatz, with its own restaurant. Prices
in recent years but, in Swiss terms, S-Bahn regional train network that also are about 20% higher in high season, On the other bank on Wagenbachgasse,
A city bus takes you there from manage to attract healthy crowds, quite serves the stadium. A single ticket is which runs between April and October the Irish-run Shamrock Irish Pub has a
Lucerne’s busy station in less than ten used to European football. SF3, day pass SF6. inclusive. raised terrace in the Old Town.
liberoguide.com 8
SWITZERLAND 2018-19 FC Luzern
www.liberoguide.com/fc-luzern
Horwerstraße. Visiting fans should use
FC Luzern
kiosk No.5, cash only.
Online sales operate through the
Eventim (eventimsports.de/ols/
fcluzern) via the club website.
For domestic fixtures, standing tickets
(B Tribüne) are SF28. Seats alongside
are SF33, SF41 behind the opposite goal
(D Tribüne), and SF58 in the sideline
C Tribüne. Seats in the A Tribüne are
SF62-100. Visiting fans are charged a
Transport flat SF28 for a seat in sector C6.
The transport stop by the stadium is
for the No.20 bus (every 7min). It takes For all-seated European games,
7min from Lucerne train station, where admission is cheaper at SF43-70 in A,
the stop is clearly marked near the SF23 in B, SF29 in D, and SF41-48 in C.
archway. Away fans are charged SF20.
Alternatively, towards town by the Shop
roundabout, Allmend/Messe S-Bahn You’ll find toy FCL lions amid the blue
is one stop south on the S4 (direction T-shirts and kits at the FCL-Fanshop
Stans or Wolfenschlessen) and S5 (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm) behind D Tribüne.
(direction Giswil) lines from Lucerne
swissporarena
station. Trains leave every 15min, Bars
usually from platform 14. By the stadium, the Wirtschaft
zum Schützenhaus is a traditional
FC Luzern
long envied the success of Basel or Completed in 2011, it comprises a A match ticket allows use of the bus or restaurant in Swiss chalet style.
Grasshopper Zürich. distinctive gold-tinted exterior, with S-Bahn to and from the stadium for up
interior seating in blue, FCL lettering to three hours either side of the game. Allmend (Moosmattstraße 51) is
Europa League competitors in 2017-18, FCL had the courage to invest in the clearly outlined. For domestic fixtures, attached to the bowling alley where FCL
FC Luzern (www.fcl.ch) have rarely set future, the €65 million swissporarena, 3,000 standing places fill sectors B2-3 Tickets players changed in the park-pitch days.
the Swiss League alight but can count replacing the venerable Allmend in the home end, B Tribüne (blue). Advance tickets are sold at the FCL-
on a loyal and lively fan base. on the club’s 110th anniversary. Fanshop (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm) behind On Horwerstraße, the Militärgarten
Architects Daniel Marques and Iwan Away fans are allocated C6, at the other D Tribüne and at the LZ-Corner of the was opened before FCL were founded.
FCL have only three major trophies Bühler created a contemporary, end of Tribüne C (red), facing the main ‘Neue Luzerner Zeitung’ (Pilatusstraße Scarves decorate a wooden interior,
to their name, one title and two cups, 17,000-capacity venue also suitable for stand, Tribüne A (yellow). Tribüne D 12) in town. On match days, kiosks 1 where Eichhof and Hubertus dark ale
and their fans in blue-and-white have Switzerland internationals. (green) is behind the other goal. and 2 operate behind A Tribüne on main are served. It has a terrace, too.
liberoguide.com 9SWITZERLAND 2018-19 Lugano
www.liberoguide.com/lugano
Trinity
lugano
Olimpia
(valid 30min) is SF1.90, a day pass set around a pre-war delicatessen,
(carta giornaliera) SF7.20. You’ll need a Mediterranean restaurant and bar.
bus for the stadium. Some hotels offer
free public transport if you book a room Also in the centre, the Pestalozzi
through their website. hides recently rooms behind a historic
façade. Nearby, the family-run Zurigo
Taxi Luganese (+41 91 967 24 24) is a Garni has been in operation since 1951.
reliable local firm.
By the station, the Continental
Seven
Bed Parkhotel echoes the steam era.
Lugano Turismo (luganoturismo.ch)
has online booking. Beer
Lugano
Still based at the same quaint Milan’s Malpensa and Linate airports On the main square, piazza Riforma,
municipal stadium, i Bianco-Neri are 90km (56 miles) and 100km (62 For age-old hospitality by the the classic Olimpia dates back to 1845,
enjoyed a run in the Europa League in miles) from Lugano. Lugano Servizi waterfront, the classic Hotel its lived-in bar where older Lugano
By the pretty lake of the same name, in 2017-18. and Malpensa Express buses run International has an outdoor pool supporters meet. On the waterfront,
the Italian-speaking region of Ticino by 10-12 times a day between Malpensa in summer while the Walter Au Lac the Bar Vela has sport on TV and tables
Switzerland’s twisting border with its The Cornaredo is also home to Rapid terminals 1-2 and piazzale Besso Lugano features a roof terrace. outside overlooking the lake.
southern neighbour, Lugano is more Lugano, in the regional Ticino divisions. in Lugano (1hr 20min journey time,
suited to pleasure boats, Eurovision The stadium is almost as close to €25/€40 return). There is no direct Set back from the waterfront, the San Further round the lake, chic Seven
Song Contests and financial services the Italian border as it is to Lugano’s public transport from Linate to Lugano. Carlo is a more affordable two-star is a sport-forward lounge bar, with
than football. landmark casino. and, by the foot of the funicular, the a waterfront terrace. Upscale chatty
From Milano Centrale, a EuroCity train Acquarello Swiss Quality Hotel is Bistro Lugano near the Hotel Zurigo
FC Lugano found success in the 1940s. Bearings takes 1hr 10min, internet price €23. another handy and affordable find. Garni buzzes during aperitivi hour.
The Stadio Cornaredo was built for Lugano Airport 4km (2.5 miles) west Lugano station stands high over the Nearby, the Hotel Lugano Dante is
the 1954 World Cup, 24,000 Italians of town receives regular services from city, connected by funicular. City buses a notch-above four-star. Round the Irish pub Trinity is at via Canonica 19,
cheered a 4-1 win over Belgium. Zürich and Geneva. serve town and station. A single ticket corner, Gabbani is an urban lodging by a waterway that leads from the lake.
liberoguide.com 10SWITZERLAND 2018-19 FC Lugano
www.liberoguide.com/fc-lugano
FC Lugano
F C LUGANO
The biggest club in Ticino, Ital-
ian-speaking Switzerland, FC Lugano
(fclugano.com) are enjoying a modest
revival. Swiss Cup finalists in 2016,
the Bianconeri came within a point of
qualification from the group stage of the
Europa League in 2017.
In 2003, Lugano had been forcibly
relegated, then declared bankrupt. A
new outfit, AC Lugano, was created,
formed of under-21 players. In 2004,
it merged with nearby FC Malcantone
Agno, and became FC Lugano, again,
in 2008.
The Bianconeri last won the Swiss title
in 1949. Lugano then prepared for 1954 Stadio Cornaredo
World Cup hosting by building a new
ground. As elegant today as when it
opened in 1951, the Stadio Cornaredo The Stadio Cornaredo also hosts lower- the stadium or via national agency Shop Behind the Curva Sud, the Buvette
is a classic Swiss stadium backdropped league Rapid Lugano – supporters have ticketcorner which also distributes The main outlet is the Lugano Store, Rapid is a small, basic bar with a
by dramatic hillsides and under their own bar behind the Curva Sud. online. On match days, tickets are sold a match-day kiosk behind the Tribuna terrace overlooking the adjoining
seemingly permanent bright blue skies. at the kiosks behind each goal. Monte Brè. FCL shirts with the cool V training pitch. There’s also a Buvette
Transport across the chest come in black, white Monte Brè on match days, serving local
Crowds have dropped dramatically From Lugano station, lines No.4 and The cheapest seats (SF25) are in the and red versions and there are also the Luganighetta spiral sausages.
since the 1950s but the graceful main No.6 take 10min to reach the stadium. Spalti, the areas either side of the standard frilly pennants, scarves and
stand, the Tribuna Centrale, remains, From Lugano Centro, on via Pestalozzi central seats in the main stand, as far keyrings. The main venues are the Osteria
on via Trevano that runs from town. near the Hotel Zurigo Garni, the No.7 as the home and away sectors behind Bianconero and adjoining Bar Lugano
also takes 10min. The No.3 from via each goal. Bars behind the main stand. The restaurant
Opposite, the Tribuna Monte Brè holds Pestalozzi runs along the waterfront, a Behind the Curva Nord, the Pizzeria operates during the week until early
almost half the current 6,330 capacity. pretty ride to the ground 15min away. A seat in the Tribuna Monte Brè is SF40, Resega (via Sanvico 1) has been in the evening.
Each end is open to the elements, home under-14s SF15, under-6s free. The Albieri family for decades. A lovely little
ultras gathered in the Curva Nord, up to Tickets main stand is divided into the Tribuna tavern run by an equally affable old For match days, reserve via
800 away supporters accommodated in Tickets are sold from the club office Laterale (settore 1 & 4, SF65) and landlord, it offers wood-fired pizzas and ristorazione@fclugano.ch. The bar
the Curva Sud. (Mon-Fri 9am-noon, 2pm-5pm) at Centrale (settore 2 & 3, SF80). Feldschlösschen beer. serves Calanda beer from Chur.
liberoguide.com 11SWITZERLAND 2018-19 Neuchâtel
www.liberoguide.com
In the same vicinity, the Hôtel du
N e u c h ât e l
Marché is more restaurant/terrace
café than hotel, with ten basic rooms
upstairs.
Further up by the castle and funicular
station, neat, 22-room Hotel de
L’Ecluse suits the modern urban
traveller.
Beer
Bed Pubs and bars dot the historic centre,
Neuchâtel Tourisme many with terraces overlooking the
(neuchateltourisme.ch/en) has an picturesque surroundings.
accommodation database that links to
a booking site. Among them, the main Irish-style place
for live sport and live music is the Café
The nearest lodging to the stadium is du Cerf on rue Ancien-Hôtel-de-Ville,
the contemporary Hôtel des Arts one showing Premier League action. On
tram stop away at Université. In the nearby places des Halles, popular Le
same family, the Hôtel Alpes et Lac Charlot offers some 30 beers and a
serves the train station over the road, prominent terrace. Across the square,
a modernised railway hotel with lake the upscale Prestige Club specialises
views from the restaurant terrace. in wine.
Overlooking the lake, a short stroll On rue des Fausses-Brayes, the
Neuchâtel
Cantonal and FC Xamax in 1970, the Neuchâtel station is equidistant from the stadium, the pricier Best Great Glen Scottish Tavern shows
new club was overseen by, of all people, from the town centre and the Western Premier Hotel Beaulac major games and has a plentiful beer
Sepp Blatter, president in the early Stade de la Maladière towards makes best use of its waterside selection. Nearby Les Brasseurs
A pretty historic town by the lake of the years. the lake. A funicular also connects location. started out as artisanal brewers in
same name, Neuchâtel is the home of the station to the university below. Geneva in 1997, and set up in Neuchâtel
two-time Swiss champions Neuchâtel Home since 1924 has been Stade de Trolleybuses and funiculars are run Further along the waterfront and close ten years later. Across the road, Le
Xamax. Forced out of existence in 2012, la Maladière, overlooking the lake and by the regional Transport Publics to the town centre, Hotel Touring au Bistrot du Concert provides a classic
Xamax took six years to climb back up reasonably close to Neuchâtel station. Neuchâtelois. You can buy regular Lac is an old-school three-star. In the zinc-bar, terrace-café experience.
the Swiss league pyramid and regain tickets (2.30SF/30min journey) from historic centre itself, the Auberg’Inn
top-tier status in 2018. Bearings machines at stops. offers a mix of rooms in a building In the shadow of the château, the Café
From Geneva Airport 126km (78 miles) dating back 500 years. Alongside, the de la Collegiale on the steep, cobbled
Neuchâtel Xamax are a post-war away, a direct hourly train takes 1hr Taxi-Kam (+41 32 725 22 22) has a Aubier is run by the café downstairs street of the same name offers all kinds
construct. Created from a merger of FC 20min to reach Neuchâtel (24SF). 10SF minimum fee per ride. – guests should arrive by 7pm. of beers and a stunning panoramic view.
liberoguide.com 12SWITZERLAND 2018-19 Neuchâtel Xamax
www.liberoguide.com
Tickets
N e u c h ât e l X a m a x
Tickets are sold online for three or
four home games in advance. For
information, call +41 32 847 95 98
(Mon-Fri 8am-5pm).
The ticket office opens 1hr before kick-
off and sell-outs are rare.
prettier than its unpromisingly functional The cheapest admission is SF25 in the
exterior suggests. Done out in signature home end, or anywhere in Tribune D
red and black, the stadium has a low and B, away fans able to pay on the day.
curving roof along each sideline, offering A decent seat along sideline Tribune C
views of the hillsides. All is offset by the Nord, or in the corners, is SF40-SF45.
bright green of the artificial turf.
Shop
Stands are designed A-D, all numbered The Boutique Xamax is in the
apart from section D4 in the home end, Maladière Centre mall surrounding
Tribune Est. Tribune (Ouest) B is mainly the stadium. First-team tops of red and
for visiting supporters, allocated B1-B3. black melting into each other differs
The main stand, Tribune A Sud, is VIP- from the classic stripes of 2017-18.
Stade de la Maladière
only. Second kit is canary yellow.
Transport Bars
Neuchâtel Xamax
And that youngster was Max ‘Xam’ Even though public transport for match- Between stadium and waterfront, the
Abegglen, one of three brothers who ticket holders is free from 2hrs before Café des Amis is more a restaurant,
would later earn more than 100 caps and after the game, in practice the best but you’re welcome to find a terrace
A familiar if unusual name from for Switzerland between them. way to reach the stadium from the town table, order a Swiss beer and gaze at
European competitions in the 1980s centre is to walk. the lake.
and 1990s, Neuchâtel Xamax (xamax. Formed as Xamax in 1912, the team
ch) must be the only case of a top-tier played its first match in 1916, which Bus No.121 serving Maladière runs Right on the water, Vio offers wok-
club being founded by a ten-year-old was when FC Cantonal, won their only every 15min Mon-Sat only, up to 8.20pm, based and grilled dishes – and that
boy. Swiss title. Cantonal then built the and takes 4min to run the four stops from fabulous view. If you’re not in the mood
Stade de la Maladière in 1924, rebuilt central place Pury. for Thai soup, you can order a glass of
That club, FC Xamax, later fused and reopened in 2007. crammed into the old ground for the draught Heineken at standard Swiss
with Neuchâtel-Sports, known for visit of Real Madrid in 1986. From the train station, take the prices.
six decades as FC Cantonal, to create Part of a sport, leisure and retail Fun’ambule funicular down to the lower
Neuchâtel Xamax in 1970. complex, the new ground holds 12,000, Home to 54 shops, including one stocking terminus at Université. The stadium is a In the ground, kiosks serve Boxer beer
just less than half the crowd that Xamax merchandise, the stadium is 5-7min walk or one bus stop away. from Yverdon.
liberoguide.com 13SWITZERLAND 2018-19 St Gallen
www.liberoguide.com/st-gallen
Café Hörnli close, New Star also has its own car
St Gallen
park. Staying near the stadium means
that you’ll be far from town.
Near St Gallen station, the Metropol
has been serving rail travellers for over
a century while the four-star Walhalla
St Gallen features a popular brasserie.
By Marktplatz, traditional Hotel Am
Ring gleams with historic chintz. Across
the street, the Weisses Kreuz offers
mid-range rooms and a modern bar.
Am Spisertor by the station of the same
name comprises 12 basic rooms with
limited reception hours at weekends.
Beer
A bar hub clusters around
Augustinergasse, Engelgasse and
St Gallen O-Five Pub
Metzgergasse near Marktplatz. On
Metzgergasse, Gallus offers those
watching a whole St Gallen game a free
St Gallen
Grün-Weißen then went almost an western outskirts of town, was renamed pass via the station near the city centre. drink should the Green-and-Whites win.
entire century trophy-less. kybunpark. Match-ticket holders and many local The traditional Hörnli on Marktplatz
hotel guests travel for free. A single is where the meeting took place to
The tranquil shores of Lake Constance The club’s long-term home was Bearings ticket is otherwise SF2.40, a day pass form FC St Gallen. Nearby, the Süd
that divide Switzerland from Germany Espenmoos, its record attendance The nearest international airport to Tageskarte SF6.40. Based near St Bar attracts young hipsters with varied
and Austria are where football took root of 16,200 set in 1985 with the visit of St Gallen is Zürich 87km (54 miles) Gallen station, Herold Taxi (+41 71 2222 beers and cocktails until the early
in Europe. On the Swiss side, St Gallen Internazionale in the UEFA Cup. Fifteen away. A half-hourly train runs direct 777) accepts credit cards. hours. Behind it, Seeger is another St
is home to the oldest club side still in years later, it witnessed St Gallen lift from the airport to St Gallen, journey Gallen landmark, a bar/restaurant with
existence on the Continent. their first league title in 96 years. time 50min-1hr, single SF14.50. If Bed a popular terrace.
you’re going straight to kybunpark St Gallen Bodensee Tourist
On 19 April 1879, an advert in the St St Gallen’s senior side moved out to stadium, the hourly ICN train allows Information (www.st.gallen-bodensee. Towards the station, the O-Five Pub on
Galler Tagblatt announced a meeting a new-build on the eve of Euro 2008, you to change at Gossau for Winkeln, ch/en) has a hotel database and Poststraße provides jugs of Guinness
at the Hörnli restaurant, with a view to Switzerland christening the AFG Arena and reach the stadium in 1hr from booking function. Near kybunpark to go with the European match action.
starting a football club. FC St Gallen with a 3-0 win over Liechtenstein. the airport. Otherwise, change at St stadium, the hotel one66 is a handy Behind Spisertor, Da Sláinte Inn goes
duly won the Swiss title in 1904. The Before 2016-17, the stadium, at the Gallen main station.All local buses three-star with weekend deals. Also more for live music than sport.
liberoguide.com 14SWITZERLAND 2018-19 FC St Gallen
www.liberoguide.com/fc-st-gallen
St Gallen store Shop
FC St Gallen
The main FC St Gallen store (Mon-Sat
9am-5pm, match days 2hrs before kick-
off 30min after final whistle) is in the
Shopping Arena by the Eingang West.
Merchandise includes woolly Alpine
hats with earflaps, baseball caps
bearing the foundation date of 1879,
Swiss watches, FCSG monopoly games,
branded cigars, shot glasses, beer
glasses and spirit flasks.
Kiosks dot the stadium on match days.
Bars
Near Winkeln station on Herisauer
Straße, typical Swiss bar/restaurant
Landhaus Winkeln opens on match
FC St Gallen
days, serving Bratwurst and chips, and
local St Galler Schützengarten beer.
kybunapark
The oldest football club still operating Further along on the other side, the
on mainland Europe, St Gallen (www. standard bar/restaurant Brücken
fcsg.ch) have had meagre reward for ones behind the west goal. Visiting minutes away. Winkeln is also served outlets such as the Post Office outside Waage at No.54 has tables outside in
some 120 years of competitive play. supporters are allocated Gästesektor by the No.1 bus every 20min from the the train station and the Tourist Office warmer weather.
Rarely out of the top flight since the 4 of the arbonia-Tribüne opposite. The main station, journey time 20min. on Bankgasse.
early 1970s, St Gallen won a rare Swiss main stand, the former Piatti-Tribüne Of the outlets at the Shopping Arena
title in 2000, moved into a new stadium now the RWD Schlatter, houses the VIP After arriving at Winkeln station, take Match-day Tageskassen also operate by the stadium, chain bar/restaurant
in 2008 then made the group stage of and business seats. the underpass then the street ahead of but expect to pay SF5 extra. Prices Marktplatz offers several types of St
the Europa League in 2013. you, Herisauer Straße. The stadium is start at SF20 to stand with the home Galler Schützengarten beer on draught,
Transport about 7-8min ahead. fans, and for a seat in the corner of schnitzels, spare ribs and burgers.
Opened as the AFG Arena, the Public transport is free for match- the opposite end. You’ll pay SF35 to sit
currently named kybunpark holds ticket holders. Tickets either side of the standing fans in the All payments at the stadium are with
nearly 20,000, average gates usually Unless Grasshoppers are in town, forster-Tribüne. Seats in the sideline a Stadionkarte from orange-dressed
around 12,000. The quickest way to the stadium is to availability is rarely a problem. EgoKiefer Stand run from SF30-SF50, vendors. Match-Die Stadion Bar is the
take the S1 (direction Wil) or S5 train from corner to halfway line, and in the main place for home fans, behind the
St Gallen fans fill the home forster- (direction Weinfelden) from St Gallen The main distribution agents are main stand it’s SF55-SF80, apart from forster-Tribüne, decorated with framed
Tribüne, sectors D2 and D3 standing main station to Winkeln, two stops/five Starticket, both online and at local the family area (A6). black-and-white shots of FCSG action.
liberoguide.com 15SWITZERLAND 2018-19 Sion
www.liberoguide.com/sion
Sion
Sion
as local patriotism. The population of
Sion is only just twice that of the Stade
de Tourbillon, just over a narrow stretch
Capital of the canton of Valais, just down of the Rhône, so many head in from
the A9 motorway from Sepp Blatter’s around the canton, taking advantage of
home village of Visp, French-speaking the A9 motorway alongside.
Sion is nestled halfway between the
Matterhorn and Lake Geneva. Bearings
The nearest airport to Sion is Geneva
Here FC Sion (fcsion.ch/fr), in the 13 160km (100 miles) away. A train runs
stars and red livery of their canton, from Genève-Aéroport to Sion (every
have survived thanks to controversial 30min, 2hr journey time, SF26 single). Au Poker
president Christian Constantin and a Trains from Bern, Basel and Zürich,
knack for winning the Swiss Cup – even including Zürich airport, require a
when in the second division. change in Visp. from SF160. Also on rue du Scex, the Beer over the bar counter and tables outside
Hôtel du Rhône Sion is quiet. The Hôtel- Surrounded by vineyards, Sion also in nice weather.
Sacking coaches every other week, Sion’s adjacent bus and train stations Restaurant Elite at avenue du Midi 6 has drinks local Walliser/Valaisanne beer.
stepping in to do the job himself, signing are a stroll from the town centre. offers in the run-up to Christmas. The main football spot in town, though,
unsignable players and fielding the Bars surround place du Midi, including is Au Poker at avenue de la Gare 25.
ineligible, Constantin has made many Public transport consists of buses, Also near the stadium but on the other Café de la Place, Le Brésilien, and, With a bar interior decked out in Sion
enemies but Sion have been top flight singles SF2.70 from the driver. side of the A9 motorway, the ibis Sion also with football action, old-school Au line-ups over the seasons, some
since 2006 and regular competitors in Est has 71 two-star rooms. Boulevard. In summer, their terraces autographed, Au Poker also provides a
Europe. Bed merge in the Valais sunshine. large screen for match coverage.
Sion Tourisme has an online booking An alternative, also close to the station,
With no immediate rivals – although system. The centre has three three- is La Pension du Vieux-Canal (chemin Close by on rue de Scex, opened by Party-minded Saint James at rue de la
it’s always good to beat Servette – cup star hotels. Old-school Castel, closest du Vieux-Canal, +41 27 322 7200, +41 79 sponsors of FC Sion, the Dugout is a Dents-Blanche 9 is more club than bar,
specialists Sion attract regional as much to the stadium, has standard doubles 947 0398), with a dozen simple rooms. standard sports bar with TVs ranged with DJ nights and late-opening hours.
liberoguide.com 16SWITZERLAND 2018-19 FC Sion
www.liberoguide.com/fc-sion
FC Sion
Transport For domestic fixtures, prices start at
The stadium is a 20-min walk from SF25 in the standing home end, secteur
Sion’s main train station – head straight B (Tribune Nord), rising to SF35 in
out to avenue de Tourbillon opposite, secteurs D1-D3 for home seats behind
bear right and keep following it until the the opposite goal, Sud. It’s SF55 for
river. Cross it at the junction with rue du excellent seats in secteurs C3-C5 in
Scex and the stadium is ahead of you Tribune Est.
down rue du Stade.
Stade de Tourbillon
Bars
By bus, take No.BS2 (every 20min) from The nearest venue is the Café Le Parc
the station stop by the Orient Express (route de Vissigen 72), a simple wooden
FC Sion
Another feature of Constantin’s is barely noticeable as you approach bar. Alight at either Promenade Rhône bar with Feldschlössen beer, local Valais
ownership, along with attacking a from town. However, the 14,000-capacity nearest the Café Le Parc or the next wine and a small front terrace.
TV reporter in 2017-18, has been the stadium is gradually losing its quaint one, Manège 1, near the equestrian
Run by controversial Christian frequent sacking of managers. feel: the wooden benches that used to centre slightly closer to the stadium. It’s At the equestrian centre next to the
Constantin, FC Sion (fc-sion-live.ch) line the East Stand were replaced by 10min by bus from the station, passing stadium, Le Paladin serves grilled
had the envious record of winning all 13 Sion moved to the Stade de Tourbillon plastic seats in 2011. central place du Midi on the way. meats, pancakes and cheese fondue, as
Swiss Cup finals they appeared in – until in 1968. Nestled between a winding well as beers – there’s a TV for football
defeat to FC Basel in 2017. stretch of the Rhône and the Alps, the With home fans in the standing Tribune Tickets action too.
Tourbillon was named after a medieval Nord, away ones occupy blocks D5 and Tickets are sold at branches of the Post
For all the criticism, this architect from castle on the surrounding hilltops. D6 in the standing Tribune Sud. VIPs are Office, Manor stores and at train station Buvettes ranged around the ground
nearby Martigny saved the club in 2003. housed in the Tribune Ouest, the best offices, as well as at the stadium from offer local Fendant white wine and
Sion rebounded, and have been regulars Its chalet-like home North Stand adds seats in A2 and A8 facing the ones over 90min before kick-off by the Tribune Est. red Gamay, as well as beers in 25cl
in the top flight since. to the charm – behind, the A9 motorway the halfway line in Tribune Est, C3-C5. Online sales are via ticketcorner.ch. measures.
liberoguide.com 17SWITZERLAND 2018-19 Thun
www.liberoguide.com/thun
Thun
Thun
South of Berne, beneath the Bernese
Alps, Thun has made its footballing
presence felt over the last decade or so.
Flagship club FC Thun have embarked
upon four European campaigns since
their surprise debut in the Champions
League in 2005.
Back then, Arsenal, Ajax and Sparta
Prague were hosted in Berne, Thun’s
venerable but modest Stadion Lachen
deemed unsuitable. The last major Thun, including the airport bus to Basel
international team to play there was SBB train station, costs SF27.70. The
West Germany, for training before half-hourly rail service to Thun takes
winning the World Cup of 1954. 1hr 20min. Thun station and main bus
concourse are alongside each other
In 2011, the club opened the Arena on the west bank of the Aare river. The
Thun, on the edge of town. It was later stadium on the outskirts of town is too
named after cable-car firm Stockhorn. far to walk but the city centre is close.
All local STI bus lines call at the station.
With average gates for domestic fixtures A single ticket, from machines or the
above 5,000, FC Thun are ticking over driver, is SF3. McArthurs
without making any credible challenge
for major silverware. The Alps and more Oesch Tagsi (+41 33 222 2222) is located
prestigious Berne still provide ample halfway between the stadium and the nearby is the modern Holiday Thun. The Krone on focal Rathausplatz was table football. Bright El Camino offers a
reason for the floating fan to spend his station. Behind it on the main road, the Gasthof a guildhouse, now a 29-room hotel fair range of beers on tap.
Saturday afternoon elsewhere. Rössli Dürrenast is basically an old- renovated in 2014. Across the square,
Bed school restaurant with six guest rooms the Hotel-Restaurant Rathaus dates For TV football, head to McArthurs, with
The Stadion Lachen still stands, its bar The Thun Tourist Office (thunersee. with or without private facilities. These back even earlier, its comfortable rooms matches on a 55-inch HD screen, live
displaying posters from that Champions ch/en/stadt-thun.html) has a hotel three hotels are 15-20min walk to the also the result of stylish renovation. bands and good grub. On Rathausplatz,
League campaign of 2005-06. database and booking function. stadium. prominent Ratsstübli also shows sport
Beer and hosts live music.
Bearings Across from the club’s old ground, Of the options in the city centre, the You’ll find bars and restaurants on
The nearest main airport to Thun is Stadion Lachen, the Alpha Thun Freienhof on Freienhofgasse enjoys either side of Obere Hauptgasse, Former football bar Schleusenbar at
Basel 130km (81 miles) away. Online Hotel provides pleasant, mid-range waterside views but charges four-star around Mühleplatz near the river. These Bälliz 67 has changed its focus to food
with Swiss Rail, a ticket all the way to accommodation, close to the lake. Also Swiss prices. include the Cadillac Café with pool and but cherishes its heritage as Tifo.
liberoguide.com 18SWITZERLAND 2018-19 FC Thun
www.liberoguide.com/fc-thun
FC Thun
FC Thun
Since promotion to the top flight in 2002,
FC Thun (www.fcthun.ch) have qualified
for Europe four times, played Arsenal
and Ajax in the Champions League and
gained a new stadium.
Currently, though, this little club Stadion Lachen
overshadowed by nearby Berne is
treading water, surviving in the Swiss
Super League but without the clout to
challenge the big boys.
Home is the Arena Thun, aka Stockhorn
Arena. It bears all the hallmarks of a
new-build: artificial turf, out-of-town
location, retail park alongside, motorway
nearby, little else in the vicinity. Opened
in 2011, renamed in 2014, the stadium
holds 10,000, of which 2,000 are standing
places in the Heimsektor, the home Stockhorn Arena
Under the main stand on match days,
end of the Südtribüne. Away fans are the FanZelt is a beer-dispensing
allocated sectors D9 and D10 in the marquee, with sausages at SF6.50.
Nordtribüne. 62, by the junction with Weststraße. SF40/SF20. Kategorie 2, better seats The beautifully knitted winter scarves Depending on the opposition, the beer
Branches of TicketCorner also distribute. around the corners, are SF44/SF22, also feature the yellow sunburst logo on might be alcohol-free Carlsberg.
Transport SF52/SF26 for YB Berne and Basel. The red-and-white bars.
Arena Thun has its own bus stop on the The club offers online booking through priciest seats are SF64/SF32, SF72/ The best FC Thun drinking spots are at
No.3 line. Buses leave every 10-15min Eventim (eventimsports.de/ols/fct). SF36 for YB Berne and Basel. Visiting Bars the old Stadion Lachen on Gwattstraße.
from Kante 2 outside Thun station, taking supporters pay SF25, SF20 reduced. The only bars near the stadium are The supporters’ bar is decorated with
7min to cover the six stops there. The Tageskassen kiosks outside the the two cafés at street level at the vintage pennants and autographed
ground open on match days only. Shop Panorama Centre opposite: the posters from the 2005 Champions
Tickets To stand with the home fans costs The FC Thun shop (Mon-Fri 8am-noon, Cappuccino Club, with its table football League campaign. It should be open
Availability is rarely a problem. Advance SF26, SF13 for 6-15s. The cheapest 1.30pm-5pm, match days) is by Eingang table outside, and Migros, attached to and serving beer most evenings. Across
sales in person are through Ochsner seats are Kategorie 3, in three corners A. Replica tops are either first-choice the supermarket of the same name. the street, the Restaurant Lachen
Sport in the Panorama Center next to of the stadium and behind the goal in red-and-white or away lime green. A Both have terraces, the Cappuccino Club is another age-old Thun haunt with
the stadium and Sport XX in the Zentrum the Nordtribüne, SF32/SF16 reduced. retro version has a string collar and a sells beer, Migros coffee, soft drinks and pennants to prove it. Beer and main
Oberland retail centre at Talackerstraße For the visits of YB Berne and Basel, it’s bright yellow starburst badge. snacks. dishes, are served on the terrace.
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