Basel stadium fire: "Huge damage"
On Saturday morning, Basel, a Swiss Super League club, announced that it would not be able to host the match initially scheduled to take place in the evening at the home of Thun due to a fire that occurred on Friday night in the locker room area of St. Jakob-Park, for causes that are still to be clarified. The Rhineland club issued a press release in which it described all the damage that effectively prevented the organization of the away match, explaining, however, that, fortunately, no one was hurt.
“The match scheduled today between Thun and Basel will not be able to take place,” the release reads. “The reason is a fire that broke out in the locker room area of Basel’s first team at St. Jakob-Park, which occurred late in the evening of Friday, April 10, 2026, for causes that have not yet been fully clarified. The fire caused considerable material damage, but no person was injured.”
“The fire, accompanied by a strong smoke emission, caused considerable damage and completely destroyed the entire area of the first team locker rooms. In addition to the locker room, the equipment storage rooms and all the equipment of the players and technical staff were affected. Also damaged were the coaches’ office, the team manager’s office, the physiotherapy areas, showers and toilets.”
“The severely damaged assets also include personal soccer shoes, all match and spare equipment (jerseys, training equipment, etc.), as well as medical and technical equipment necessary for competitive activities and not replaceable in the short term.”
“Due to the damage sustained and the fact that the entire underground area of the stadium has been placed under seizure until further notice, and no usable playing or medical equipment being available, Basel is unable to play the away match against Thun scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026. The Swiss Football League has granted the club’s request to postpone the match.”
“Basel is in close contact with the relevant authorities and the SFL to determine the next steps. Further updates and the new match date will be communicated in due course,” reads the end of the official note.
