A modern cathedral of Swiss football, Stadion Wankdorf—sometimes still referred to by its former name “Stade de Suisse”—sits proudly in Bern and serves as the home ground for BSC Young Boys, one of Switzerland’s most successful and vibrant clubs. With UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 games also being hosted here, including high-profile fixtures like Spain vs. Portugal and a quarter-final showdown, the stadium is more alive than ever. Whether you’re in town for the women’s tournament or a high-stakes Super League clash, Wankdorf is worth the journey.
1. The Basics
- Name: Stadion Wankdorf
- Location: Papiermühlestrasse 71, CH-3022 Bern, Switzerland
- Capacity: 32,000
- Opened: 2005
- Home team(s): BSC Young Boys, occasional Swiss national team fixtures
Unique Features
A single red seat amidst the sea of black and yellow marks where the first chair was installed—unavailable to the public and always reserved for a special guest. It’s a subtle but poignant nod to club heritage.
The stadium made waves during Euro 2008, hosting a dominant Netherlands side who dismantled Italy, France, and Romania in the group stage.
Since then, it’s welcomed matches featuring Spain, Argentina, England, and Switzerland in both qualifiers and friendlies.
1.5. Who’s Playing Here (UEFA Women’s EURO 2025)?
| Date | Match | Round |
| 3 July | Spain vs. Portugal | Group B |
| 6 July | Switzerland vs. Iceland | Group A |
| 11 July | Italy vs. Spain | Group B |
| 18 July | Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A | Quarter-final |
2. First Impressions: The Stadion Experience
Atmosphere: Though not the largest, Wankdorf packs a serious punch. It’s compact, well-designed, and blessed with strong acoustics, especially on matchdays featuring the fiery Ultras 1898 section in the east stand.
Crowd Vibe: Expect passionate locals, flares, flags, and loud chants—especially during Young Boys fixtures. That said, the environment stays largely safe and welcoming, especially outside the ultra section.
Home Fortress or Scenic Day Out?
Wankdorf leans toward fortress. Young Boys have enjoyed a dominant domestic run in recent years, with league and cup titles piling up. The artificial hybrid pitch may raise eyebrows, but it doesn’t seem to dampen their success at home.
Traditions: Expect choreographed tifos, booming chants, and the occasional burst of pyro from the ultras. For bigger matches, visual displays are almost guaranteed.
3. How to Get There
🚉 By Train (from Bern Main Station):
- Take S1, S2, S3, S4, S31, or S44 to Bern Wankdorf (10 mins)
- 5-minute walk to the stadium
🚍 By Bus:
- Line 20 → stop at Wyler → 3-minute walk
- Line 9A → stop at Guisanplatz Expo → 5-minute walk
🚶 On Foot:
- ~40 minutes from the city centre, clearly signposted
- From Bundesplatz Fan Zone: follow Waisenhausplatz → Kornhausplatz → Breitenrainplatz
- From station: Bollwerk → Nordring → Rodtmattstrasse
🚘 By Car: Not recommended during Women’s EURO due to road closures
🎫 Free Matchday Travel: With a EURO 2025 ticket, you get free return travel across Switzerland on matchday—just flash your mobile ticket on public transport.
4. Tickets: How to Get In
- UEFA Women’s EURO 2025: UEFA.com
- Young Boys matches: Official Ticket Site
5. Where to Sit: Views and Vibes
- Best Views: Sideline seats in the upper tier’s central sections
- Loudest Area: East stand (Ultras 1898)
- For Peace and Comfort: Upper west stand is quieter and family-friendly
6. Where to Eat Before the Game
🍕 Ristorante Grotto Ticino Cafiero
Breitenrainplatz 26, 3014 Bern
Fresh, simple Italian food with an exceptional pomodoro sauce.
🥙 King’s Kebap
Breitenrainstrasse 44, 3013 Bern
Popular for its Falafel Dürüm and spicy sauce. Budget-friendly and delicious. Proper ‘football awayday soul food’, expect pizza, fries and kebab meat.
🍟 McDonald’s (Wankdorf Shopping Mall)
Fast, predictable, and good if you’re short on time or cash.
Pro Tip: Switzerland can get pricey. Stick to fan zones, kebab shops, and pizzerias for budget-friendly eats.
7. Best Places to Drink
🍻 For Pre-Match Pints (in central Bern):
- Tipsy Bear Pub & Garden: Great vibes, perfect on a sunny day
Address: Scheibenstrasse 39 - Gustavs Biergarten: Relaxed, open-air and good crowd
Address: Neubrückstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
🍺 For Craft Beer Fans:
- On Tap Craftgallery: Rathausgasse 53
12 taps, four fridges, great food - Biercafé Au Trappiste: Rathausgasse 68
Huge bottle list, warm atmosphere
8. Inside the Stadium: Food, Drink & Facilities
🌭 Food:
- Sausages (including vegan), burgers, fries, nuggets, pizza, pretzels, popcorn, sweets, and ice cream
🥤 Soft Drinks: Pepsi, 7UP, Lipton Ice Tea, water
🍺 Alcohol: Heineken (regular and 0.0%), Calanda Radler Citron, Panaché
💳 Payment: Card or contactless only—Visa preferred
Queues: Manageable. Plenty of kiosks and modern infrastructure.
9.5. LGBTQ+ Friendly Spots
🏳️🌈 Comeback Bar GmbH
Rathausgasse 42
A cozy, queer-friendly gem in Bern’s old town.
🎶 Café Kairo
Dammweg 43
Inclusive, alternative, great food and regular shows.
9. On the Pitch: Are Young Boys Any Good?
2024/25 Finish: 3rd in the Swiss Super League
Style of Play: High tempo, aggressive, often attacking
One to Watch: Joël Monteiro
New Boss: Giorgio Contini (2025/26 season) – Experienced in the Challenge League with proven silverware success.
10. Beyond Football: Explore Bern
🏛️ Top Sites:
- Zytglogge (iconic clock tower)
- Bern Cathedral
- The Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage treasure
- Bärengraben & BärenPark – the city’s bear enclosure, tied to Bern’s identity
🌆 Neighbourhoods:
- Breitenrain – close to the stadium, laid-back vibes
- City Centre – ideal for cafés, museums, and shopping
- Kirchenfeld – for a more upscale, museum-heavy afternoon
📅 Worth a Weekend?
Absolutely. Between matchday thrills and old-town chills, Bern is tailor-made for a scenic 2–3 day stay.
⚽ Whether you’re waving a Spanish flag, rooting for the hosts, or in town for a Young Boys clash, Stadion Wankdorf is one of Switzerland’s finest football experiences. Come for the football. Stay for the views, the beer, and that unmistakable Bernese charm.
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