On the afternoon of Thursday 23 October, FC Lugano’s first team and coaching staff visited the construction site of the AIL Arena, which is now nearing completion.
Following the morning training session at the Cadro Sports Centre and the customary team lunch, the Bianconeri squad travelled to the new stadium site accompanied by Chief Sports Officer Sebastian Pelzer and Vice-President and CEO Martin Blaser.
Blaser opened the meeting, recalling how the AIL Arena project took shape in 2021 with the referendum by the citizens of Lugano and in 2023 with the official start of construction, leading up to today, when the completion of the works now appears imminent.
The team then took part in a guided tour led by the AIL Arena Project Manager, who showed them around the various areas of the stadium: from the hospitality and press zones to the spaces reserved for FC Lugano. The tour continued into the ‘belly’ of the facility, with a look at the changing rooms, the relaxation area, the sauna and massage pool zone, right through to the indoor pre-match warm-up area and the entrance to the pitch.
The day concluded with a speech by Mattia Croci-Torti, who wished to address a few words to all the workers involved in the project. Visibly moved, the Bianconeri coach thanked those who had made possible the construction of a stadium which, as he recalled, represents a dream long awaited by generations of Ticino residents.
The visit concluded with great curiosity and enthusiasm from the group, who were able to see for themselves the progress of a project that is ever closer to completion.