The host city Bern started the countdown to the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 on Sunday, June 30, 2024, with a ceremony as part of the "Tour de Berne" on theBundesplatz. The host city Bern was able to secure Lia Wälti as an ambassador for Bern. She and her team will visit Bern at least once in July 2025. A total of three group matches and one quarter-final will be played in Bern. But the event is not just limited to the Wankdorf Stadium: With the summer football festival "Berner Ballzauber", Bern will enchant the population and foreign guests.
Football inspires, connects people and creates magical moments. In a year's time, the football euphoria should be felt everywhere in the city of Bern. The host city Bern presented the first key points at the «One Year to Go» event on Sunday on the Bundesplatz. During the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 from July 2 to 27, 2025, Bern will host a total of four games, including the group match of the Swiss women's national team on July 6, 2025.
Lia Wälti as ambassador for Bern
The host city of Bern is delighted to be able to count on the support of Lia Wälti as ambassador for the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 in Bern. The Langnau native started her football career at FC Langnau and later played for BSC Young Boys and the German Bundesliga club 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam, among others, before moving to Arsenal Women FC in 2018. Lia Wälti leads the Swiss national team as captain. "For me, the EURO in my own country is something I would never have dreamed of. I see it as an incredible privilege and am infinitely grateful to be able to play in such a tournament in Switzerland and especially in Bern in front of our own fans and to represent Switzerland," says Wälti.
The countdown is running
As part of today's "Tour de Berne", the cycling event for women with a popular sport that ends on the Bundesplatz, those responsible have officially started the " One Year to Go" countdown. In front of various invited guests, municipal councilor Reto Nause , President of the Steering Committee of the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Host City Bern, tournament director Doris Keller and Swiss national coach Pia Sundhage informed the audience about the importance of Europe's largest women's sporting event, the ongoing preparatory work and the activities planned by the host city Bern. They then started the countdown at the push of a button.
Municipal councillor Reto Nause , President of the Steering Committee: “We are looking forward to an unforgettable football festival here in the heart of Europe, in the heart of Switzerland, in the heart of Bern!”
So that everyone is informed about the upcoming major event by next summer and can ensure magical moments in Bern, participation in various other Bern events is planned after today's appearance at the "Tour de Berne": for example, the "Rendez-vous Bundesplatz", the Museum Night or the BEA.
Experience the magic of football up close with the «Berner Ballzauber»
During the tournament, the city of Bern will be all about football and will offer locals and guests an unforgettable and varied musical and cultural program for four weeks, and the entire host city of Bern will be enchanted by these wonderful moments. The slogan "Berner Ballzauber" serves as an umbrella for the activities in the host city of Bern. This stands for the magical moments and the extraordinary experiences that make football so fascinating. "Ballzauber" also stands for the joy and fun that come with the game. It is an invitation to everyone to become part of this unforgettable experience and experience the magic of football first hand.
All games will be broadcast in public viewings, there will be live concerts and DJs, a high-quality food and beverage experience, numerous activities and exciting cultural offerings related to the tournament and women's football. The supporting program is not just designed for football fans, but also for families, children and young people. In the swimming pools, you can test your own skills on the table football tables provided by the host city of Bern, a tram will cruise through the city in the host city look and park benches with the logo will invite you to linger. The city of Bern is also committed to ensuring that everyone can take part in this festival. That is why barrier-free access and offers for people with disabilities are a fixed part of the program.
Promoting women and girls in football, sport and society
The UEFA Women's EURO 2025 is intended to leave a mark in Bern that will extend far beyond the tournament. The momentum will be used to give women and girls a lasting boost in football, sport and society. Various legacy measures are currently still being worked on. The host city Bern will present the legacy programme in detail in due course.