FC Lugano is born
Football Club Lugano was founded on July 28, 1908, under the leadership of then-president Ernesto Corsini. For nearly 50 years, the team played its home matches at Campo Marzio.
Club
History
Promotion to the top league
In the 1920s, the club earned its first-ever promotion to the highest level of Swiss soccer.
First Swiss Cup
FC Lugano claimed its first Swiss Cup title, beating Grasshopper Club Zürich 2-1 at Campo Marzio after extra time. Scorers Sturzi and Poretti.
First national title
For the first time, the club was crowned Swiss champions, reaching the summit of Swiss soccer.
Second national title
Just a few seasons later, the club secured its second Swiss championship title.
Third national title
After a few unsuccessful years, Lugano returned to glory with another Swiss league title.
Cornaredo Stadium opens
On August 26, 1951, the Cornaredo Stadium was officially opened, replacing the historic Campo Marzio.
Second Swiss Cup
On April 15, 1968, Lugano lifted its second Swiss Cup, defeating Winterthur 2-1 at the Wankdorf in Bern. Scorers Luttrop and Simonetti.
First appearance in the UEFA Cup
Lugano made its debut in the UEFA Cup, exiting in the round of 32 against Legia Warsaw.
Third Swiss Cup
Lugano won its third Swiss Cup, beating Grasshopper Club Zürich. Scorers Andrioli, twice Subiat and Fornera. The victory earned them a spot in the Cup Winners’ Cup.
Cup Winners' Cup
After ousting Neman Grodno of Belarus, the run was halted in the round of 16 against Real Madrid.
UEFA Champions League qualifiers
At the end of the 2000–2001 season, the Bianconeri finished second in the league and qualified for the Champions League qualifiers for the first time. They were eliminated by Shakhtar Donetsk after a 3-0 loss in the first leg, despite a 2-1 victory for Lugano in the return match at Cornaredo.
Bankruptcy
In April 2003, due to severe financial difficulties, the club declared bankruptcy. The club was re-founded the following season as Associazione Calcio Lugano, starting over from the 2nd League Interregional (fifth division in Switzerland) with its U21 team.
Merger with Malcantone Agno
On June 30, 2004, AC Lugano merged with FC Malcantone Agno, which had just been promoted to the Challenge League.
Return to the name FC Lugano
On June 4, 2008, during a special shareholders’ meeting, the club officially returned to its historic name—Football Club Lugano—in celebration of its 100th anniversary.
Return to Super League
After majority shares were gradually acquired by Angelo Renzetti starting in 2012-2013, the club was promoted to the Super League at the end of the 2014-2015 season.
Joe Mansueto buys FC Lugano
In August 2021, FC Lugano was passed into the hands of Joe Mansueto, owner of Chicago Fire FC. This was the start of a new era for Lugano.
Fourth Swiss Cup
On May 15, 2022, Lugano lifted its fourth Swiss Cup, defeating St. Gallen 4-1 at the Wankdorf in Bern.