On the evening of Thursday 12 March, the first Partner Event of 2026 took place at Palazzo Mantegazza in Paradiso. Around seventy guests attended the event dedicated to companies that support the Club, an opportunity to take stock of FC Lugano's projects and enjoy a moment of dialogue and networking in a convivial setting.
The evening began at 6.30 p.m. with a welcome drink, followed by an introduction by Vice-President and CEO Martin Blaser. In his speech, Blaser reviewed the work carried out over the last twelve months in preparation for the opening of the new AIL Arena, emphasising the commitment and great effort made by everyone involved in the project. Today, he explained, the handover document for the facility was signed by the construction company HRS to the City of Lugano, the owner of the facility, and FC Lugano. It is therefore with great pleasure that I can announce that, as of today, we are officially tenants of the AIL Arena.
Looking ahead to the next steps for the club, Blaser noted that the coming weeks will see the first steps towards the opening of the new AIL Arena, which is scheduled to take place on the weekend of 30 and 31 May. The event is intended to be a great celebration open to the people of Ticino and an opportunity to thank the citizens who supported the project through the referendum in 2021. The sporting debut of the facility will take place in the following weeks, with the international match between Switzerland Women and Malta and the start of the new FC Lugano football season.
Following the speech by the Juventus CEO, the guest of honour, Blerim Dzemaili, took to the stage. The former Swiss national team midfielder, now a television commentator, spoke with the audience, recounting the main stages of his career, which began at a very young age in Zurich and continued in major European and international leagues. Dzemaili spoke emotionally about his origins and the fundamental role of his family in his journey, recounting some key moments of his experience as a footballer, including the more than ten years he spent in Italy's Serie A.
During the conversation, the guest shared some thoughts on the mentality and challenges of professional football, emphasising the importance of hard work and mental approach in an athlete's career. Now working as a television commentator, Dzemaili explained that he particularly appreciates the atmosphere and working style at RSI, where he has found an environment in which he can talk about football in a spontaneous and direct manner.
Finally, there were some insights into the current state of Swiss football. The former Zurich player highlighted the growth achieved by FC Lugano in recent years, pointing to the club's progress as an example to be followed by many other clubs on the national scene. The conversation then concluded with a look at the Swiss national team and the next major international event: the 2026 World Cup, which will kick off in June.
At the end of the talk, the evening continued with a standing dinner, offering Club partners another opportunity to socialise and allowing those present to share ideas, experiences and perspectives in an informal atmosphere.
FC Lugano would like to thank all partners and guests for attending the event, once again helping to strengthen the bond between the Club and its network of supporters.