Zurich's Stadium Scene Is Bigger Than You Think — Here's How to Get Involved

Zurich is hosting more large-scale sporting events than at any point in the past decade, and the infrastructure to support them — from the rebuilt Letzigrund stadium on Badenerstrasse to the Hallenstadion in Oerlikon — is actively looking for people. Whether you want to work matchdays, volunteer at international competitions or simply understand how to buy a ticket to something worth seeing, the window has rarely been more open.

The timing matters. UEFA has confirmed Zurich as one of several Swiss cities with a supporting role in continental club competitions through the 2026-27 season, and Swiss Football League fixtures at Letzigrund regularly draw between 12,000 and 25,000 spectators per match. Meanwhile, the 2026 FIFA World Cup running through June and July in North America has turbocharged general interest in stadium culture globally — and local venues are feeling that energy. Swiss Football Federation (SFV) figures released in May showed volunteer applications for match-day staffing roles at affiliated stadiums rose 34 percent year-on-year across the country.

Where to Start in Zurich

Letzigrund, the 26,000-capacity ground that serves as home to both FC Zürich and Grasshopper Club Zürich, is the most accessible starting point. The stadium runs a structured volunteer programme under its event operations office, which recruits for roles including crowd management, accessibility assistance and media logistics. Applications open each July for the following season — meaning right now is the correct moment to register. The process involves a one-day orientation held at the Letzigrund facility itself, followed by assignment to specific match categories. Entry-level volunteers receive a CHF 30 per-shift transport allowance and access to a post-match meal in the staff canteen.

The Hallenstadion in Oerlikon, a 15,000-seat indoor arena that handles everything from ice hockey playoff nights with ZSC Lions to Davis Cup tennis and major athletics meetings, operates through a separate staffing agency, Aktive Freizeit AG, which lists open positions on its website year-round. Roles there tend to skew toward event-day hospitality and technical support rather than crowd stewarding. Hourly rates start at CHF 22 and rise to CHF 28 for specialist technical positions. The Hallenstadion also runs public stadium tours on selected Saturdays — CHF 15 per adult, CHF 8 for under-16s — which several regular volunteers cite as how they first made contact with staff.

Beyond the two flagship venues, the GC Campus in Niederhasli, about 14 kilometres northwest of the city centre, has expanded its community-facing programmes since FC Zürich's academy partnership began in 2023. The campus hosts SFV referee training courses that are open to adults with no prior officiating experience. The next intake starts on September 8, 2026, with the registration deadline falling on August 1. Cost is CHF 180 for the full eight-session course, which qualifies participants to officiate at regional amateur level.

What the Data Says About Demand

Zurich's sports economy is not a minor concern. A 2025 report by the Zurich Tourism Board estimated that major stadium events across the city generated approximately CHF 180 million in direct visitor spending that year, accounting for hotel nights, transport and food. The Letzigrund alone hosted 22 ticketed events in calendar year 2025, up from 17 in 2022. Ticket prices for FC Zürich Superliga home fixtures start at CHF 18 for standing sections in the Südkurve, with mid-tier seated options running between CHF 42 and CHF 75.

For anyone who wants to attend before committing to any formal involvement, the sensible first step is registering on the FC Zürich or ZSC Lions online ticketing portals — both now require a free account before purchase, and both send early-access sale notifications via email. The SFV's volunteer portal at sfv.ch lists current openings updated monthly. The next major event at Letzigrund confirmed for public ticketing is a Swiss Cup qualifier on August 14, 2026. Start there, see what the inside of a matchday operation looks like and take it from that point.