22. Juli 2026

Walder Wyss is proud to have advised F.C. LUGANO SA, a football club currently competing in the Swiss Super League, on all key legal aspects related to the new AIL Arena in Lugano. Officially inaugurated in May 2026, the stadium’s opening was celebrated with a public weekend of self-guided tours and a vibrant Fan Village, marking a new era for F.C. Lugano’s home. Following the inaugural event, the stadium hosted its first official match: Switzerland’s women’s national team played a 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifier. F.C. Lugano’s own competitive debut at the AIL Arena will be next Thursday, 23 July 2026, in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League Q2 against KF Dukagjini.

The AIL Arena marks a major milestone in the club’s history and its transition to a state-of-the-art facility that meets the highest sporting, operational and commercial standards. Developed with substantial investments and upgrades initiated by F.C. Lugano’s ownership, the new infrastructure positions the club for sustainable long-term growth, both on and off the pitch.

Walder Wyss provided comprehensive legal support throughout the project, including advice on the stadium lease agreement; procurement, installation, and maintenance of specialized equipment (notably the hybrid pitch and multimedia systems); the catering agreement for public and hospitality areas; and sponsorship arrangements, including the stadium naming rights agreement.

We congratulate F.C. Lugano on this strategically important achievement for both the club and the city of Lugano. The new AIL Arena is set to become a central venue for football and sporting events in the region and beyond.

The Walder Wyss team was led by Davide Jermini (Partner, Real Estate), Robert von Rosen (Partner, Corporate) and Valerio Caccia (Managing Associate, Real Estate), and further included Julia Lehner (Managing Associate, Real Estate), Fabian Looser (Counsel, Employment), Luca Belloni (Senior Associate, Public Law) as well as Frederik Weber (Associate, Employment).