FC Lugano's 2026 began as 2025 ended: with a solid, consistent team capable of achieving high-level results. Between December and February, the pitch spoke for itself, telling a story of convincing performances and steady growth, match after match.
After the draw in Lausanne in early December, the Bianconeri built up a series of victories that gave the team momentum and confidence: home wins against Servette FC and BSC Young Boys, an away win at FC Zürich and, in early 2026, victories in Lucerne and against FC Winterthur. These results confirm the team's ability to maintain rhythm and consistency in their performances between the end of 2025 and the start of the new year. The Christmas break and the winter training camp in Benidorm were key moments in this journey: the days spent working in Spain were useful for consolidating what had been built in the first part of the season and for returning to action with renewed energy and an even more solid foundation.
NEW YEAR, BETWEEN THE PITCH AND PROJECTS
With the start of the new year, FC Lugano continued its journey on several fronts, giving continuity to the Club's sporting work and planning.
At the beginning of January, attention shifted to Benidorm, the location of the winter training camp. In Spain, in addition to work on the pitch and international tests, the squad welcomed a new face: Hannes Delcroix, who arrived to strengthen the defence. The January transfer window also saw some departures (Ayman El Wafi and Ousmane Doumbia) and loan transfers (Alexandre Duville-Parsemain and Fotios Pseftis), with a view to balanced and targeted management of the squad.
At the same time, the new year began with the launch of projects that tell the story of the Club beyond the ninety minutes. On 1st January, Nati Bianconeri came to life, an initiative designed to symbolically welcome the city's newborns into the Bianconeri world, strengthening the bond with families and the city from the very first days of life.
The same day also saw the debut of the first episode of '11 Volte Cornaredo', the miniseries accompanying the last season at the historic stadium, recounting some of its most iconic matches. A journey down memory lane with some of the protagonists of the past, episode after episode.
The Club's story also included individual stories: with the release of the third episode of 'Una Bella Storia', presented by UBS and dedicated to footballer Sabina Di Muro, the focus shifted back to people, their career paths and their ambitions within the Bianconeri world.
AIL ARENA SEASON TICKETS AND NEW EVENTS
In the run-up to the 2026/27 season, a significant step has also been taken off the pitch. On 31 January, in the heart of Lugano, hundreds of fans took part in a day of filming dedicated to the 2026/27 season ticket campaign, contributing first-hand to the creation of official content. The initiative was met with great enthusiasm, involving the whole city, and will come to fruition in March with the launch of the central phase of the campaign. This also marks the start of the season ticket pre-emption phase: from 1 February, the pre-emption reserved for 2025/26 season ticket holders will be active, while from 16 February, the pre-emption will also be extended to FC Lugano Members. From 1 March, the free sale of season tickets for the 2026/27 season will begin. This is a particularly significant moment, which will accompany the Club and its fans as they move into their new home.
January also marked a key milestone in terms of infrastructure and planning. During the press conference dedicated to 2026/27 ticketing, FC Lugano presented the main new features for the coming season, the first in the new AIL Arena, illustrating the methods, sales phases and overall vision of a project that is set to represent a historic change for the Club. The first official events to inaugurate the new stadium were also announced on this occasion.
Ahead of FC Lugano's debut in the 2026/27 Brack Super League, the AIL Arena will host a series of events of national and international importance. The first official match ever to be played in the new stadium will be a World Cup qualifier between the Swiss Women's National Team and Malta on 5 June 2026. This will be followed on 25 September 2026 by the match between Switzerland U21 and Luxembourg U21, valid for the European Championship qualifiers. Completing the first programme of events, the Swiss Cup finals for Seniors 30+, 40+ and 50+ are also scheduled for 20 June 2026.
These events offer a preview of what fans can expect from the 2026/27 season onwards: a stadium designed for football at all levels, where FC Lugano will write a new chapter in its history.
NEXT STEPS
We now look ahead. During February, after the winter break, the Women's First Team (7 February vs Etoile Carouge) and the U21s (14 February vs SC Cham) will also return to the pitch, ready to resume their respective competitive activities.
However, the next key date will be 1 March, when season tickets for the 2026/27 season, the first in the new AIL Arena, will go on sale to the general public, a moment eagerly awaited by the entire Bianconeri community and beyond.
The Club's story will also continue with '11 Volte Cornaredo', with new episodes and new protagonists, along with other surprises that will accompany the last season in the historic stadium.
Between the pitch, projects and new events, FC Lugano's journey now continues towards the middle of the season, accompanying the Club and its community towards the next stages of 2026.
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