UEFA Women’s Euro 2025: Chasing goals across Switzerland

Whether you're coming from across the ocean or just hopping borders, this guide will help you slip into that rhythm. We’ll talk tickets, teams worth watching, places to stay, and what to do when you’re not in the stands.

Reaching alpine heights

The last UEFA Women’s Euro shattered expectations, drawing 365 million global TV viewers and packing nearly 575,000 spectators into stadiums across England. Wembley’s final saw 87,192 fans erupting in celebration. That was the largest crowd ever for a women’s game in Europe. This surge is part of a worldwide wave, whose ripple effects in Europe are easy to see: Domestic leagues are smashing attendance records (England’s top division nearly tripled its average crowd after the Lionesses’ triumph), and millions of girls and women have been inspired to take up the sport of soccer.

All this popularity sets the stage for UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 to matter more than ever. This year’s tournament is poised to build on last year’s momentum and scale new peaks (fittingly enough, in the Alps). Fans have already snapped up over 550,000 of the 673,000 available tickets, virtually guaranteeing another attendance record. And that’s in a host nation of just 8.9 million people, compared to 60 million in the last host, England.

UEFA and the hosts are treating it as both a tournament and as a catalyst for lasting change. Major programs — like UEFA’s own Time for Action — aims to reach 2.5 million registered women and girl players by 2027, and Switzerland is a case study in how to accelerate that. The tournament’s legacy plan includes new funding for coaching, grassroots programs, and nationwide visibility campaigns to push for equality and opportunity at all levels of the sport. So make no mistake, Euro 2025 isn't just games — it's culture. 

Tickets: Your passport to free transit and full stadiums

Tickets are sold through UEFA’s official channels, including its website (womenseuro.com) and ticketcorner.ch. The first round dropped in December 2024, another followed in February 2025, and while there might be more to come, expect limited availability for high-demand matches.

Marquee games like England vs. France (Zurich, July 5) sold out quickly. Tickets for the final in Basel are near impossible to get, unless you were there the moment sales opened. But smaller group-stage matches still offer opportunities. Look to cities like Sion or Thun for seats and a quieter, more local experience.

Crucially, every match ticket doubles as a free second-class public transit pass anywhere in Switzerland on match day. That means you can travel from Geneva to Lucerne and back at no extra cost. The trains are run by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), and there’s no need to book in advance. Just hop on, show your match ticket, and you’re covered.

For fans attending multiple matches, consider the Swiss Travel Pass, which provides unlimited travel on most public transportation (trains, buses, boats) across Switzerland. A 3-day adult pass costs CHF 232 (about US$260), with discounts for youth and families.

Teams that might break your heart (or make your trip)

Some teams arrive with legacy. Others bring momentum or raw joy. Here are five to circle on your calendar and one underdog to believe in:

• Spain plays like they’ve already solved the game. They move the ball with intent, control space, and rarely rush. Aitana Bonmatí, 2023 Ballon d’Or winner, commands the midfield with ease. Alexia Putellas, back from injury, adds presence and calm. They make football look like poetry, if poetry wore boots.

• England, defending champions, enters the toughest group. If they survive it, they’ll be battle tested. Their football is fast and unforgiving. Lauren Hemp brings a knife’s edge down the wing. Keira Walsh conducts from deep in the field. If Beth Mead returns in form, watch for brilliance in the box because she’s just four goals away from becoming the all-time top scorer in the competition.

• Germany knows how it feels to win. They’ve lifted this trophy eight times. Recently, they’ve stumbled and now face the tournament without Lena Oberdorf, their midfield anchor and emotional core. A knee injury ruled her out just weeks before kickoff. But the team still has teeth. Lea Schüller leads the line with intent, and Klara Bühl brings bite from the flanks. They won’t dazzle. They’ll grind, press, and drag matches their way.

• France flirts with greatness. They’ve never lifted a major trophy, but the talent is there. Kadidiatou Diani stretches defenses until they snap. Selma Bacha might be the revelation of the tournament — she’s fast and technical. But the shock is who's missing: Wendie Renard, the towering captain with over 150 caps, was left out. The coach wants different results and chose a different path. It's a bold call. Now we wait to see if it works.

• Sweden is less spectacle, more structure. Semi-finalists in the last three major women’s football tournaments, they’re not here to surprise — they’re here to finish the job. Their back line is ruthless, their transitions sharp. Stina Blackstenius has scored in every Euro she’s played. Kosovare Asllani remains one of the smartest playmakers in the game. Don’t expect flair. Expect results.

• Wales arrives like a storybook finally turning its next page. After years of near misses, they’ve made it, and they’ve brought the heart of a whole nation with them. Jess Fishlock, now 37, made her debut before some of her teammates were out of primary school. She’s the most-capped Welsh player of all time, and she’ll leave everything on the pitch. Wales is not expected to go far, but they’ve never played by the expectations anyway.

Here’s the full group breakdown:

• Group A: Switzerland (hosts), Norway, Iceland, Finland

• Group B: Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy

• Group C: Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden

• Group D: France, England (holders), Wales, Netherlands

If you're only catching a few matches, pick them by story as much as skill. UEFA has released a handy one-page match schedule that shows dates, cities, and kickoff times at a glance. Bookmark it or print it. It's your cheat sheet for a very full July.

Where it happens: Eight cities, eight personalities

Switzerland may be small, but this summer it plays host on a grand scale. From lakeside Geneva to mountaintop Lucerne, eight cities share the spotlight, and no two feel the same. Some are tucked between vineyards, others hum with urban energy. But wherever you go, the game ties it all together.

Basel — St. Jakob-Park (capacity: 38,000 seats)

Switzerland’s biggest stadium sits just 10 minutes by tram from the center or 20 on foot if you walk slowly and stop for coffee. It’s home to FC Basel and hosted games during Euro 2008.

Off the pitch, Basel is all about being the meeting point for French, German, and Swiss culture. Float the Rhine like the locals do — grab a Wickelfisch (a waterproof bag shaped like a fish) and let the current carry you past the Münster Cathedral and the city’s layered skyline. Art lovers will want to linger at the Kunstmuseum or the Jean Tinguely Museum, where kinetic sculptures clank and whirl in poetic chaos.

Bern — Stadion Wankdorf (capacity: 32,000 seats)

The capital’s stadium is just a short tram ride or walk from the old town, where medieval arcades curve beneath alpine shutters.

The Aare River runs bright and cold through Bern, and the locals swim it with casual grace. Bring a dry bag and a brave heart. Or take it slow: Watch the Zytglogge clock tower perform on the hour, and wander the Zentrum Paul Klee, housed in a rippling glass wave by Renzo Piano. Fan zones fill Bundesplatz with screens and music when the whistle blows.

Geneva — Stade de Genève (capacity: 30,000 seats)

This lakeside stadium is 20 minutes by tram from the city center. Geneva feels calm and cosmopolitan, with wide streets, waterfront views, and a quiet kind of elegance.

The Jet d’Eau arcs into the sky like a fountain gone rogue. See it from a lakeside promenade or boat. Boat tickets cost CHF 3 (around US$3). Walk the cobbled old town, visit the Patek Philippe Museum, or head to CERN to learn about the science that shaped the modern world. Bain des Pâquis is an open-air lakeside bathhouse with saunas, swimming piers, and a no-frills café known for one of the best cheese fondues in town. It’s especially popular in winter, but the views stun year-round.

Zurich — Letzigrund Stadion (capacity: 26,000 seats)

Fifteen minutes by tram from the main station, this stadium is better known for track and field but is ready for football’s summer takeover.

Zurich is calm but sneakily wild. Rent a free bike from Züri Rollt and cruise to Strandbad Mythenquai for a lake swim with skyline views. Hike Uetliberg for golden-hour panoramas, then dive into art at Kunsthaus Zürich or visit the weird Freitag Tower — the “recycled” skyscraper. Come evening, Kreis 4 and 5 are areas that trade quiet for bass beats and where old warehouses now pulse with music in the night.

St. Gallen — Kybunpark (capacity: 19,700 seats)

An hour from Zurich by train, the stadium is situated near shopping centers on the edge of town, but the real charm lies uphill from there, in St. Gallen’s old town, where every street is steeped in history.

The Abbey Library in St. Gallen looks like it fell out of a fantasy novel, all creaky floors and ancient manuscripts. This UNESCO site is serene and unforgettable. Use the city as a springboard: Take a day trip to Appenzell for hand-made cheese or to Lake Constance, where Switzerland, Germany, and Austria shake hands at the waterline.

Lucerne — Swissporarena (capacity: 16,800 seats)

A sleek stadium ten minutes from the train station sits beneath Mount Pilatus, whose jagged silhouette rises above Lucerne making everything beneath it — the city, the crowd, even time — feel fleeting.

Lucerne is made for postcards. Walk the Chapel Bridge, then visit the Lion Monument — a wounded lion carved into rock that’s been stopping tourists since 1821. Take the world’s steepest cogwheel train up Mount Pilatus, where the view explains why here, painters stop in their tracks and get out the brushes. July brings the Luzern Live music festival to the lakeside, but calm is always an option: Try a sunset boat ride as the city glows behind you.

Sion — Stade de Tourbillon (capacity: 14,500 seats)

Fifteen minutes from the station, this sun-washed stadium is surrounded by vineyards and mountains.

Sion is a place to sip crisp local whites and linger in the cool shadows of its castles and cathedral. Hike to the twin castles — Valère and Tourbillon — for sweeping views and a sense of medieval permanence. The Valère Basilica houses one of the world’s oldest playable organs. Below, vineyards line the valley. For a local tasting experience, try Cave du Rhodan or Provins. It’s also where raclette tastes best with a glass of chilled Fendant and no need to watch the time.

Thun — Stockhorn Arena (capacity: 10,000 seats)

Thun is the smallest host city, and one of the most scenic. The stadium is a short bus ride or walk from the station.

Thun looks like an illustration. A white castle overlooks turquoise water and gingerbread rooftops. Drift past it on a pedal boat or lake ferry, and you’ll feel how time itself unspools more slowly in Thun. Obere Hauptgasse is the main pedestrian street, full of independent shops and alpine views. If you’re brave, try river surfing on the Aare.

Fan zones

Each host city has a fan zone, which is free to enter and full of giant screens, local snacks, music, and friendly strangers. No ticket needed. Just show up, pick a team, and cheer like you’re at home.

Get on track

Swiss trains. They’re punctual. They’re clean. Some serve beer with a view of the Alps.

Key routes:

• Zurich → Bern: ~1 hour

• Bern → Lucerne: 1 hour 15 minutes

• Geneva → Sion: 2 hours

• Zurich → St. Gallen: 1 hour

Use the SBB Mobile app for real-time schedules. Tickets cost CHF 25–40 (US$28-45) between major cities. On match days, your ticket covers travel.

Late trains run after night matches, so there’s no need to rush your post-game drink.

Sleep somewhere comfortable

Book your accommodation as early as you can. July is high season.

Mid-range picks: Look at Ibis Styles, Holiday Inn Express, or B&B Hotels near main stations or tram lines. Most include breakfast.

Hostels: Try the Swiss Youth Hostel chain. Hostels in Zurich and Lucerne have family rooms too.

Apartments: Booking.com and Airbnb offer some options, but they will likely be fully booked around match dates. Look for listings in suburbs with direct train or tram lines into the city.

Location tips: If you're attending matches in multiple cities, stay in Bern or Zurich and commute. With matchday transit included, doing so can save time and money. Trains run late, and Switzerland is safe even after dark.

Two things you’ll want to bring home

Every tournament leaves behind memories, and  some  special  items  turn into keepsakes. For UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, those are Maddli and KONEKTIS.

Maddli, the official mascot, is a wide-eyed Saint Bernard puppy with a heart full of football. She’s named after Madeleine Boll, the first licensed female footballer in Switzerland, and carries the same sense of history and purpose. Expect to see her bouncing around fan zones and on merch everywhere — from plush toys to collectible pins. If you’re traveling with kids, Maddli is coming home with you. If you’re not, she still might.

KONEKTIS is the official match ball. It’s not just eye-catching. It’s loaded with tech and sends real-time data to match officials to help with faster, more accurate decisions. The visual design reflects the Swiss Alps and landmarks from each host city. You can pick one up at Adidas stores or online, though kicking it around a mountain village is optional.

Connectivity in the Alps

Switzerland is not part of the EU, which means your usual roaming deals might not work here. Check your rates before you land, or you might end up with a phone bill that costs more than your match ticket.

There’s also an easier option: Download an eSIM app before you go. Saily is a great pick — it gives you mobile data in Switzerland without the stress of switching SIM cards or hunting for Wi-Fi. Best of all, Saily’s offering 5% off all Swiss mobile data plans over 10 GB with the code GOAL5. 

The final kick

This isn’t just a sports trip. It’s a visit to a quiet country that knows how to host, where punctual trains, panoramic mountain passes, and packed stadiums come together in one unforgettable summer. 

You’ll come for football but leave with something more: memories of late-night chanting in the fan zone, a sunlit stroll through Lucerne, a fondue shared with strangers. Whether you're chasing goals or alpine air, Switzerland will meet you halfway.

Bring your hiking boots. Bring your curiosity. Get your Saily deal. Let summer happen.