Switzerland will host sixteen of Europe’s top national teams at the Women’s Euro 2025, creating a spectacular football celebration from July 2 to July 27. This tournament marks the third edition with 16 teams and will give fans access to around 725,000 seats across all venues throughout the competition.
The growing popularity of women’s football makes this event special, especially when you have ambitious fan zone plans alongside the matches. Exciting opening games will feature Switzerland against Norway, Spain taking on Portugal, Denmark facing Sweden, and a blockbuster clash between France and England. UEFA organisers aim to create an experience that goes beyond the stadium atmosphere. Swiss cities are getting ready to welcome fans with the largest and most innovative fan zones yet, while England starts their title defence.
UEFA confirms fan zones as part of host city commitments
Fan zones are now a must-have feature at UEFA tournaments, and the women’s Euros 2025 will take this tradition to new heights. UEFA has made it clear that all eight host cities in Switzerland must set up dedicated fan zones as part of their commitments. This practice has grown in importance since it first began.
What UEFA requires from host cities
Host cities at the UEFA Women’s Euros 2025 have several key responsibilities for their fan zones. Each city needs to create a dedicated city centre fan zone with complete amenities and activities. These spaces must safely handle big crowds and offer entertainment for everyone who comes to the women’s football Euros.
UEFA’s hosting agreements now make fan zones mandatory at major tournaments. These rules go beyond just entertainment. UEFA became the first football federation to include human rights clauses in its bidding process, starting with Euro 2024. The women’s Euros 2025 follows this example, and hosts must “proactively address human rights risks.”
Fan zones must be available to everyone. This shows in the joint human rights declaration that the Swiss federal government, host cities, Swiss Football Association, and UEFA signed in March 2025. The declaration spells out what each group needs to do and highlights how they’ll work together to make everyone feel welcome at the tournament.
On top of that, host cities must provide:
- Live match screenings with adequate viewing areas
- Entertainment programming, including concerts and cultural activities
- Family-friendly facilities and activities
- Sufficient security and crowd management measures
- Public transport connections
How fan zones became a central part of the 2025 plan
Fan zones first showed up at the 2004 European Championships in Portugal. They really took off during the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Their success has made them a key part of every major football tournament since then. The women’s Euros 2025 schedule builds on these past experiences, with fan zones now playing a vital role in the tournament experience.
Past success stories helped cement fan zones in the 2025 plan. During Euro 2024, the ten fan zones across host cities drew an amazing 5.8 million visitors. The hosted fan walks to stadiums were a huge hit too, with more than 600,000 fans taking part.
UEFA now sees fan zones as key venues that serve many purposes. They give ticketless supporters safe places to enjoy the games and create positive publicity for host cities. These spaces also let official sponsors connect with fans throughout the Women’s Euros 2025.
Basel shows how seriously cities take these commitments. The city will run two fan zones at Barfüsserplatz and Messeplatz, opening on July 1, 2025. City officials expect up to half a million visitors at these zones during the tournament. This shows how important these spaces have become to the overall event.
UEFA wants to create a family-friendly celebration of women’s football through these fan zones. Each site will offer plenty to do, from live screenings and concerts to workshops, demonstrations, face-painting, and kid-friendly football pitches. This all-encompassing approach helps the tournament reach beyond stadiums and into communities across Switzerland.
These fan zones play a key role in UEFA’s plan to make the Women’s Euros 2025 the most available and exciting version of the tournament yet.
Swiss cities unveil plans for record-breaking fan zones
Swiss host cities have revealed exciting plans for fan zones as the Women’s Euros 2025 enters its final preparation stage. These special areas will turn city centres into lively hubs of football celebration throughout July.
Zurich sets up Europaallee fan zone
Switzerland’s largest city will welcome football fans at the ZüriFanzone in Europaallee. This central gathering spot sits next to Zurich’s main train station and will show all 31 matches of the UEFA Women’s Euros 2025. Creative agency Aroma AG won the public tender and will bring this space to life.
Fans can visit the Europaallee zone daily from July 2-27 (except July 14-15), starting at 11:30 until 30 minutes after each day’s final whistle. The zone offers more than just match screenings – visitors can join sports activities, cultural events, and innovative workshops. “We are proud that our application was successful. The whole team is excited to contribute to the football highlight of the summer of 2025,” says Aroma AG’s CEO, Eugen Brunner.
Basel launches EM-themed tram and countdown clock
Basel has embraced the Women’s Euros spirit fully. The city’s trams have switched from their traditional green to the tournament’s purple and sky blue colours. Banners now decorate buildings with the message “Welcome to the Summit of Emotions”.
The city will run two fan zones – a main one at Barfüsserplatz with a large screen showing every match, and another at Messeplatz featuring smaller screens. Officials expect up to half a million visitors during the tournament. The zones will open on July 1 with a grand ceremony featuring special guests and performances by local artists Moonpools and Anna Rossinelli.
Messeplatz will feature a 10-meter-high giant slide on opening match day, plus water balls for children and various entertainment options. The fan march to the stadium will start from Münsterplatz three hours before kickoff, with supporters walking together to St. Jakobs-Park.
Lucerne deploys mobile football fields
Lucerne plans to set up mobile football fields as part of its Women’s Euros 2025 fan zone experience. These portable pitches will let people play casual games and join organised activities throughout the tournament.
The city wants to mix football with cultural events to create a welcoming space for both dedicated fans and casual observers. This approach helps engage local community members while making international visitors feel at home during the Women’s Euros matches.
St. Gallen trains 200 volunteers for match days
A dedicated twelve-member project team in St. Gallen, led by project manager Céline Bradke, will ensure smooth operations during the tournament. They want packed stadiums for matches on July 4, 9, and 13, 2025, while boosting girls’ and women’s football in the region.
The city has partnered with UEFA to find about 200 volunteers specifically for St. Gallen. These helpers must be legally adult, available during tournament dates, speak multiple languages, and show high motivation. Volunteers will get training, networking chances, uniforms, and meals. The search for volunteers starts in fall 2024.
These creative fan zone initiatives show Switzerland’s dedication to making the Women’s Euros 2025 unforgettable.
How fan zones will enhance the Women’s Euros 2025 experience
The Women’s Euros 2025 will come alive beyond the stadium matches through vibrant fan zones. These spaces will give supporters many ways to be part of the tournament. Each host city has created dedicated areas to give visitors of all ages and abilities an unforgettable experience.
Live screenings and entertainment
Swiss fan zones will broadcast all 31 matches of the UEFA Women’s Euros 2025 on large screens. ZüriFanzone at Europaallee combines live screenings with sports activities and cultural events. Bern’s fan zone at Bundesplatz will run for 27 days and show every match on a big screen.
The entertainment goes way beyond match viewing. Bern’s fan zone will feature about two dozen concerts with prominent national artists and DJs. The venues have planned exciting activities between matches:
- Football skills challenges and games at various spots
- Switzerland’s largest Ferris wheel at Bern’s Bundesplatz with panoramic views
- TOCA Social’s exciting 30-minute football sessions before England matches
Cultural events and local food offerings
Swiss fan zones showcase local culture through their food and drink options. Food trucks will serve dishes that represent the participating nations. Europaallee’s fan zone lets visitors enjoy various foods and drinks while taking part in partner activities.
National artists will perform at different venues, adding to the cultural experience. Bern’s fan zone promises “a varied program with plenty of Swissness and Bern-ness for every taste” on its main stage. This mix creates an atmosphere that celebrates more than just football.
Accessibility and family-friendly features
UEFA wants to make the Women’s Euros 2025 available to everyone. Fan zones offer audio-descriptive commentary in local languages (German in most cities, French in Sion and Geneva). Blind and visually impaired fans can access this service through the official Women’s EURO app.
Family fun takes centre stage in fan zone planning. The organisers have kept prices reasonable – a family of four can watch a match for 100 CHF, including travel. Kids can enjoy:
- Face-painting stations and child-friendly football pitches
- Meeting Maddli, the mascot inspired by Madeleine Boll, Switzerland’s first licensed female footballer
- Baby Pitch areas for the little ones
- Water Balls (walkable water walking balls) for children aged four and up
These detailed offerings make fan zones a perfect spot for all supporters to join the Women’s Football Euros celebration.
What logistical challenges do cities face in delivering fan zones?
Host cities face major backstage challenges to deliver memorable fan zones for the Women’s Euros 2025. Money problems and weather issues are just some of the hurdles organisers need to clear to create a great experience.
Funding concerns and government support
The Swiss federal government threw fan zone plans into chaos in January 2024. They announced support of only 4 million Francs—this is a big deal as it means that it fell short of the 15 million promised during bidding. Critics immediately fired back, warning this could turn the event into a “junk tournament”.
Host cities didn’t take this news well. Thun’s municipal councillor, Katharina Ali-Oesch, said the city might pull out as a host venue because of these cuts. Lucerne’s mayor, Beat Züsli, stressed that they needed the full 15 million Francs to run an eco-friendly tournament.
The story had a happy ending. Both houses of the Swiss parliament changed their minds in May 2024. They approved giving out the original 15 million Francs. This decision came right on time for the final preparations of the UEFA Women’s Euros 2025 fan zones.
Security and crowd management
Each fan zone brings its own security headaches due to central locations and huge crowds. The eight host cities need solid security plans for these open spaces while keeping them welcoming. Basel expects up to half a million visitors at its two fan zones during the tournament.
Different cities have different rules about what fans can bring in. This needs clear messaging and enough security staff. More international visitors coming to the women’s Euro games make this even trickier.
Weather and infrastructure readiness
The biggest problem facing fan zones right now is the extreme heat expected during the tournament. Temperatures could hit above 35 degrees Celsius. Organisers have come up with several ways to help:
- Sunshades, sunscreen dispensers and “climate fans” with practical heat tips
- Refreshment stations with drinking water and spray showers
- Signs marking all fountains in fan areas as drinking water sources
- Cool spots like Basel’s “Play and Chill” area in the Stadtcasino
Host cities have other tasks too. Basel had to put in LED lights at St. Jakobs-Park, spending 1 million francs to avoid blackouts during the women’s Euros 2025. These preparations show how much work goes on behind the scenes to make fan zones happen.
How fan zones reflect the growth of women’s football in Europe
Women’s football in Europe has grown remarkably, and the fan zones planned for Women’s Euro 2025 show this incredible progress. These spaces demonstrate the sport’s rising popularity and business success.
Comparisons with UEFA Women’s Euro 2022
The 2022 tournament in England broke all records with 574,875 fans attending 31 matches. Switzerland wants to push these numbers even higher. The organisers want to create “sold-out stadiums” and make this “the most attended, most viewed, and most exciting Women’s Euro in history.” Fan zones have evolved since 2022. Each Swiss host city now plans bigger entertainment programs with more space. Geneva’s fan zone at Quai Gustave Ador leads this expansion with a unique lakeside space where “sport, culture and celebration come together.”
Legacy goals and community engagement
UEFA Women’s Euro 2025’s impact reaches well beyond its month-long schedule through its complete “Here to Stay” legacy program. UEFA and the Swiss Football Association launched this initiative with bold targets. They want to double Switzerland’s female football players from 40,000 to 80,000. The plan also includes increasing women coaches and referees from 2,500 to 5,000.
Fan zones are vital to achieving these goals. Geneva’s legacy program wants to “expand grassroots football opportunities for girls in local clubs and schools” and “encourage inclusive access to sport for girls from diverse and under-represented backgrounds.” Basel plans to use this tournament to “sustainably strengthen girls’ and women’s football in the region.”
Statements from local officials and UEFA representatives
UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 marks a turning point in women’s football. A UEFA representative explained their vision: “We have said from the very beginning that Women’s EURO 2025 will be inclusive, family friendly and safe.”
Lucerne Cantonal Councillor Michaela Tschuor spoke about its wider impact: “It is a great honour for us to welcome top female footballers next year, it is important to us to promote women and young girls and to focus on the importance of this sport.”
Women’s Euro 2025 – Overview
Switzerland’s record-breaking fan zones are ready to deliver an unforgettable football celebration as Women’s Euro 2025 approaches. These dedicated spaces mean much more than viewing areas – they represent the remarkable rise of women’s football in Europe. Eight host cities have fully embraced this chance and created vibrant hubs that will welcome hundreds of thousands of fans throughout July.
Setting up these fan zones wasn’t easy. Parliament’s approval of 15 million Francs resolved the original funding concerns. Weather challenges led to innovative solutions like climate fans and refreshment stations. Host cities showed their steadfast dedication by pushing through these obstacles to enhance the tournament’s experience.
These fan zones will serve many vital purposes during the competition. They make women’s football more available to new followers. The zones create family-friendly spaces where people of all ages can join the celebration. They also highlight Switzerland’s culture while welcoming guests from around the world.
The “Here to Stay” legacy program will use this tournament to create lasting change. Switzerland’s goal to double female participation from 40,000 to 80,000 players shows how this competition exceeds the boundaries of the pitch. Fan zones play a significant role by introducing the sport to future players and supporters.
Switzerland’s bold preparations mirror a clear trend – women’s football has become a major sporting attraction that deserves world-class presentation. These fan zones’ unprecedented scale shows confidence that Women’s Euro 2025 will break previous attendance records and create lasting memories.
The final whistle may be weeks away, but one thing is clear – elite competition on the field and vibrant celebrations off it will make Women’s Euro 2025 a defining moment for the sport. Fan zones throughout Switzerland won’t just host a tournament – they will help write the next chapter in women’s football’s remarkable development story.
FAQs
Q1. When and where will the Women’s Euro 2025 take place? The Women’s Euro 2025 will be held in Switzerland from July 2 to July 27, 2025. Eight Swiss cities will host the tournament matches and fan zones.
Q2. What are fan zones, and why are they important for the tournament? Fan zones are dedicated areas in host cities where supporters can watch matches on big screens, enjoy entertainment, and participate in football-related activities. They are crucial for enhancing the tournament experience, engaging communities, and providing spaces for those without match tickets to celebrate.
Q3. How are Swiss cities preparing for the fan zones? Swiss cities are making extensive preparations, including setting up large screens for match broadcasts, organising cultural events and concerts, deploying mobile football fields, and training volunteers. For example, Zurich is creating the ZüriFanzone at Europaallee, while Basel is launching two fan zones and an EM-themed tram.
Q4. Will the fan zones be accessible and family-friendly? Yes, the organisers have prioritised accessibility and family-friendliness. Fan zones will feature audio-descriptive commentary for visually impaired fans, child-friendly activities like face-painting and football pitches, and appearances by the official mascot Maddli. They’re designed to be inclusive spaces for visitors of all ages and abilities.
Q5. How do the fan zones for Women’s Euro 2025 compare to previous tournaments? The fan zones for Women’s Euro 2025 are set to be the biggest and most innovative in the tournament’s history. They reflect the growing popularity of women’s football in Europe and aim to surpass the attendance and engagement levels of previous tournaments, including the record-breaking Women’s Euro 2022 in England.