FCZ hopes for Letzigrund conversion: too many fans! Leader with a luxury problem

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The FCZ gets the masses moving. On average there are 15,787 fans in Letzigrund. Since the revival in 2017 and especially since the phase of empty Corona stadiums, Zurich has had more spectators every year. The current average is already more than 2,000 more registrations than in the championship season. The reasons? The 2022 title generated more subscription sales than ever before, but there is also the Südkurve as a very popular attraction for young people.

In Basel, Bern and St. Gall they may laugh at such figures. But first of all, FCB, YB and FCSG also experienced different times. And secondly, even if the rankings are struggling, the FCZ still shares the catchment area with the record champions.

The problem is the area next to the away fans

But because 14,525 fans are now competing against a total nobody opponent like Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy – an affair that would only have started six months ago – the leader is slowly but surely having a luxury problem. Zurich actually has too many fans.

The problem revolves around sector B, the area next to the guest sector. Until now, the situation was such that this area was not allowed to be opened as a buffer zone during high-risk matches. The FCZ may sell tickets for this area for non-risk games. If that’s what he wants, because that’s complicated. Opening as an additional housing sector requires all kinds of temporary adjustments to the stadium, such as catering, access and toilet facilities. Because the FCZ is the tenant of the stadium, the work requires a number of days of lead time and additional costs.

Due to increased fan interest, the FCZ has now reached a threshold, even in very local matches. Is it worth offering the additional sector in advance or not? It is difficult to anticipate this days before the match.

The city of Zurich understands the FCZ’s concerns

The FCZ would therefore prefer to have Sector B permanently converted. What does the city of Zurich, as stadium owner, say about the leader’s luxury problem? She is willing to discuss the details of a possible renovation with the club. “The city of Zurich understands the concerns of the FCZ and is fundamentally positive about them,” Hermann Schuhmacher, head of the sports facilities department at the city of Zurich, told Blick. But he also makes comments in his statement: “Since the Letzigrund Stadium is a multifunctional stadium, it is important that a solution is found that does not disadvantage other organizers.”

Be that as it may, about 12,000 tickets have already disappeared for Saturday’s home game against Servette.

Source : Blick