Lugano investor attracts more than 16 million in the club

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FC Lugano reaches the next milestone on its way to the future. The investor from Chicago diligently opens his wallet for it. Joe Mansueto made another 16.42 million francs at the Ticino club. This time all the money will go to the stadium project.

CEO Martin Blaser announced this on Wednesday morning in the Cinestar cinema right next to the aging Stadio Cornaredo. Flashback: In November 2021, the voters of the city of Lugano said yes to the new sports and events center PSE, of which the stadium is the heart. FC Lugano moves in as tenants.

To enable the club to design the stadium according to its own wishes, Blaser set up two working groups. They have drawn up 65 proposals, the cost of which is the said 16 million. “We took it to Chicago in early March and presented it to Mansueto.” The investor did not hesitate and agreed.

“It’s Something Extraordinary”

The investment is divided into two parts. CHF 12.7 million will be used for various infrastructure measures: from the playing field (a hybrid grass field is planned) to areas for the media and catering. The remaining 3.7 million will instead be used for the digital transformation of the club as a company.

“It’s something extraordinary, perhaps unrepeatable, that I’ve never seen in my experience in Swiss football,” Blaser enthused about Mansueto’s willingness to pay. The future arena must have 8,000 seats. Is it realistic to fill such a stadium? After all, the average number of viewers is currently only 3360 fans. “It is our job to do something to improve the situation. Our goal is to reach an average of 6000-7000 fans. But we are aware that it is not possible for our catchment area to aim for a higher number of viewers. »

“Win the cup every year”

Sportingly, however, Lugano does not aim offensive slogans in the direction of Bern or Basel. Blaser says that success from the big investments “must be almost an obligation”. At the same time, however, he puts it into perspective. “Reaching the level of YB and Basel is not realistic. The conditions are too different for that. We want to try to win the Swiss Cup every year and stay in the top four of the championship.”

The stadium is scheduled to open in 2026. Three years later, the entire project in the Cornaredo district, including two high-rise buildings, must be completed.

Source : Blick