Major leagues

Swiss Super League (Uefa co-efficient 16)
Average attendance 2010/11: 11,365
10 teams.
Winner and runner-up into Champions League, 3rd, 4th and cup winners into Europa League
Bottom side relegated, second bottom side in play off against second placed Challenge league side.
Website: http://www.axposuperleague.ch/


Challenge League
Average attendance 2010/11: 1,691
16 teams
Winner to Super League, second side plays off against second bottom Super League club. Bottom two relegated to 1 Liga
Website: http://www.football.ch


Season: Mid July to early December, then 2 month winter break to early February, season finishes in mid May. Each team plays each other 4 times.


Kick off times: Weekend matches are spread over Saturday and Sunday, with Saturday kick offs at 5.45pm and Sunday starts at 4pm. Occasional Friday night kick offs at 7.45pm.

Midweek fixtures are spread over Wednesday and Thursday, with 7.45pm kick off times.




The summer of 2008 put Switzerland firmly on the football map - for a month at least. As joint host of Euro 2008 it took centre stage and this country at the very centre of continent welcomed hundreds of thousands of footballing fans. Some of them even had tickets...

It wasn't even the first time Switzerland has hosted a major tournament. Flick back to 1954 World Cup - go on, you remember it well - and it was the Germans who grabbed their first ever major trophy.

Sadly but not surprisingly the Swiss went out at the group stage in 2008. And whilst this is never going to be the most passionate football country you'll ever set foot in, they rose to the occasion and put on a show to remember.

At the tournament end Switzerland returns to the sidelines of European football, making fleeting appearances in the early rounds of competitions but never threatening the established order.

That is not to say it hasn't had its moments. Whilst no Swiss side has ever made it to a European final they have come mighty close - FC Zurich have been edged out of the European Cup at the semi-final stage twice.

The redevelopment of grounds in Zurich, Basel, Berne and Geneva for Euro 2008 has given the national scene a real boost and who knows, their sides may spring a few shocks in years to come.

Mix in stunning Swiss scenery, cowbells and all, and a laid-back welcoming city lifestyle, it's worth taking in a Swiss game. And although the country is on the pricier side to visit, attending games need not break the bank.