On July 2, 2024, the countdown begins: It’s exactly one year until the opening match of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 at St. Jakob-Park Basel. On the occasion of the so-called ‘One Year To Go’ event, a countdown clock was unveiled, a tram was christened, and a soccer court was inaugurated.
The Women’s European Football Championship will take place next year from July 2 to 27 in eight Swiss cities. Basel will host both the opening and final matches, as well as three other games, making it a significant venue for the major event. Preparations for the tournament are in full swing.
With the “One Year To Go” program, the major sporting event is making its way into the cityscape in various forms:
- On the Wohlterrasse near the Middle Bridge and on Centralbahnplatz, two countdown clocks are counting down the days and hours until the kick-off of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 in Basel.
- Until next summer, a Women’s Euro tram will be traveling in public transport. It was ceremoniously christened on July 2 by Government Councillor Mustafa Atici, Tournament Director Doris Keller, National Councillor Florence Benzikofer, and Jasmin Hirschi, player of the women’s national team from Surprise Street Football.
- Additionally, a soccer court now stands on Messeplatz, which can be used and booked free of charge for training, open play, and tournaments. The playing field was inaugurated by Steve Beutler, Head of the Sports Office Basel-City, and first played on by the women’s national team from Surprise Street Football.
On one hand, the city of Basel has set itself the goal of organizing a big sports festival for the whole family in the summer month of July 2025. “Visitors should not only come to Basel for the matches, but also experience diverse leisure, movement, and cultural offerings”, explains Mustafa Atici regarding the planned program. On the other hand, the tournament should be used to sustainably promote girls’ and women’s football in the region in particular.
Soccer Court on Messeplatz
As part of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 in Basel, a new soccer court has been set up, available for free use by the public. The playing field, measuring 40 by 20 meters, is located on Messeplatz before it makes way for the autumn fair at the end of September 2024 and will be set up for about three months on the grounds of the Drei Linden school location.
The facility can be used in various ways for recurring offers and training sessions as well as one-time events and tournaments, as long as the offers are not profit-oriented. There are also fixed time slots for open, free play. The focus is on football; however, the court should also be a place for other polysport and movement activities. The necessary equipment must be brought by the users.
Reservations are made through the online booking system GotCourts, accessible at www.gotcourts.com or via the GotCourts app. A one-time registration on the website or in the app is required to use the “Soccer Court Basel” facility.
