Swiss public-viewing venues report strong attendance despite late-night World Cup matches

Operators of public‑viewing sites in Switzerland said the 2026 FIFA World Cup attracted robust crowds and solid sales even though many matches were scheduled for late night. Patrik Hasler‑Olbrych of the Gastrosuisse association noted challenges with staffing, permits, security and noise restrictions, but these concerns proved unfounded.

In Zurich’s Maag Hall, which holds about 1,700 spectators, the venue was packed and even had to turn away some fans. Cyril Schneider, manager of the Maag Moments public‑viewing, highlighted that fans stayed eager to watch football well into the early hours, with beer sales outpacing coffee and pastries. Overall, the operators expressed satisfaction with the tournament’s outcomes and look forward to future events.