Pratteln becomes a turning point

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Wrestling has really taken off in the last 20 years. The interest in all things Switzerland, the biggest sporting event of the year, is huge.

Not least because of this, many people were really shocked when, after another record festival with 400,000 visitors in Pratteln, a loss of about four million francs was suddenly reported at the end.

Because suppliers gave up and private investors stepped in, the organizers were spared political drudgery. You can do without any further contribution from the canton and therefore the taxpayer. “This is a great relief for the organizing committee. It is not pleasant when people in your own region point the finger,” says Rolf Gasser, director of the Schwingerverband.

Association canceled

The wrestling union itself made a substantial contribution to cover the shortfall. Ticket proceeds of CHF 323,000 were waived by the OK, as can be seen in the annual report. That is about a third of the association’s annual budget.

Ever bigger, ever more gigantic: the unpleasant awakening after Pratteln makes the association and the future organizers of the ESAF think again. Pratteln becomes a turning point. “We shouldn’t complain, we have also benefited from this boom and this development. But now everyone involved needs to be a bit more humble instead of overconfident,” says Gasser.

“These are the effects on our planning”

Zug was able to balance his budget of 38 million, but in Pratteln it was not possible with his budget of 42 million. The first budget is currently being drawn up in Mollis, the organizer of the ESAF 2025. And it is more likely to be from Zug than from Pratteln. OC chairman Jakob Kamm says: “Our budget will be between 35 and 40 million. The result in Pratteln has had a certain impact on our planning. And we also feel a certain pressure to break even. If we could not do that either, fundamental questions would have to be asked about the federal dimension. Even if you cannot judge the aura of this great event in francs and centimes alone.”

Higher ticket prices

What is clear: ticket prices for the festival in Glarnerland are going up. In Pratteln, a two-day category 1 pass cost 265 francs. A price that is nowhere near covering the costs of building the world’s largest temporary arena. That is why the entrance fees are also cross-subsidized by all attributes and the entire festival. An increase in ticket prices is in the room. ‘We’ll discuss that with Mollis’ Okay. But you can assume a moderate increase,” says Gasser. A view on matters that Jakob Kamm also shares.

Despite the huge interest and huge popularity, the federal language needs to be downsized a bit. Pratteln’s loss of millions casts his shadow.

Source : Blick