Key facts
Clubs: FC Zürich & Grasshopper CZ | Opening: 2007 | Capacity: 25,000
History and description
Stadion Letzigrund was built in 2007 to replace the old Letzigrund stadium that had stood in its place since 1926.
While plans had long existed to renovate the old Letzigrund, these plans got suddenly sped up when a proposed 30,000-stadium at Hardturm got delayed and Zürich needed a stadium for the upcoming Euro 2008 championships.
The old stadium got demolished in 2006, and one year later, on the 30th of August 2007, the new Letzigrund officially opened with the Weltklasse Zürch athletics championships.
A few weeks later, on the 23rd of September, the first football match was played at the stadium with the derby between FCZ and Grasshopper.
During the Euro 2008 Championships, three group matches were played at Letzigrund. For the tournament capacity was temporarily increased to just over 30,000 seats.
The old Letzigrund had been the home of FC Zürich since its inauguration, but Grasshopper had always played its home matches at Stadion Hardturm.
However, in 2007 Hardturm was closed in anticipation of the construction of a new stadium, and Grasshopper temporarily moved to Letzigrund. Various projects failed to come through though, and the city is currently working on the latest project which would include a new stadium, the Credit Suisse Arena, with a capacity of 18,000 seats.
Apart from hosting football matches, Letzigrund is also extensively used for athletics events, culminating in the annual Welklasse Zürich, arguably the world’s most important one-day athletics event.
How to get to Letzigrund
Letzigrund is located toward the west of the city of Zürich, about 2.5 kilometres from Zürich’s city centre and 500 metres more from the main railway station.
The stadium can be reached from the city centre with tram 2. Take the tram from Paradeplatz in the direction of Farbhof. Get off at stop Letzigrund. Trams run very regularly and the journey takes just over 10 minutes.
From the main railway station (Hauptbahnhoff) one can take tram 3 toward Albisrieden or tram 14 toward Triemli. Get off at stop Stauffacher, and change to a tram 2. One can also take tram 3 to Albisriederplatz and walk 5 to 10 minutes from there to the stadium.
Address: Badenerstrasse 500, 8048 Zürich
Eat, drink, and sleep near Letzigrund
Letzigrund is located in a mainly residential neighbourhood mixed up with some retail and light industry near the railroad tracks. The area is reasonably lively and boasts a few local restaurants and bars.
Other and likely better options for eating and drinking are the area around the Langstrasse, a 20-minute walk from the stadium, and the regenerated area Zürich-West across the railroad tracks (15-minute walk), which also houses a few trendy bars and clubs. Of course, Zürch’s old town is also filled with bars and restaurants.
There are a few hotels located close to Letzigrund, though these tend to come in the upper price ranges. The Ramada Hotel Zürich City and Crowne Plaza Zurich lie almost next to the stadium and get good reviews. The Mercure Stoller Zürich and Olympia Hotel are a little further away, but can also be somewhat cheaper.
Click here for all hotels near Letzigrund, and here to explore the options in Zürich’s city centre.
FC Zurich Tickets
Tickets for FC Zürich games can be bought online, at the FCZ fan shop at the Letzigraben 89 (close to the stadium), or at any of the Ticketcorner sales points.
Tickets can also be bought on the day of the match at the gates of the stadium.
Ticket prices range from CHF 25.00 for one of the curves to CHF 60.00 for a seat at the main stand. Prices are increased with CHF 10.00 for a number of high-profile games.
Grasshopper Tickets
Tickets for Grasshopper games can be bought online via Eventim, or via the Ticketcorner sales points.
Tickets are also available on the day of the match at the gates of the stadium. None of the clubs is likely to sell out.
Prices range from CHF 20.00 for a seat at one of the curves to CHF 50.00 for a seat at the main stand.
Email ticketing@gcz.ch for more information.
Photos of Letzigrund
Relevant Internet links
Fcz.ch – Official website of FC Zürich.
Gcz.ch – Official website of Grasshoppers Club Zürich.
Stadionletzigrund.ch – Official website of Stadion Letzigrund.
Zuerich.com – Official online travel guide for Zürich.
Zvv.ch – Zürich public transport information.