Football match postponed after fire destroys stadium locker room as statement issued

Ed Griffiths
Sat, 11 Apr 2026 11:29:30 +0000

A fire that broke out in the basement of St. Jakob-Park on Friday evening has forced FC Basel to postpone their Swiss Super League fixture against FC Thun, originally scheduled for Saturday.

The blaze tore through the first-team dressing room area at Switzerland's largest football ground, leaving the club without the essential equipment needed to fulfil the away fixture.

Basel confirmed the affected zone had been cordoned off following the incident.

In a statement, the club explained: "Due to the damage incurred... and the lack of usable match and medical equipment, FC Basel is unable to play the away match against FC Thun on Saturday."

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The club also wrote in a statement on X: "The match scheduled for today between FC Thun and FC Basel 1893 cannot take place.

"The Swiss Football League has approved FCB’s request for a match postponement.

"FC Basel 1893 is in close consultation with the relevant authorities as well as the SFL regarding further proceedings.

"Updates on new developments as well as a rescheduled date will be provided in due course."

The Swiss Super League has granted approval for the postponement, with a rescheduled date yet to be confirmed.

The destruction encompassed players' kits and boots, as well as vital medical and technical equipment required for matchday operations.

Beyond the main changing facilities, the fire also ravaged the coaching staff's office, the team manager's workspace, the physiotherapy rooms, and the shower areas.

Investigators noted that smoke extraction procedures were necessary once firefighters had brought the blaze under control.

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Fortunately, nobody sustained injuries during the incident, according to local reports.

Authorities have yet to determine what sparked the fire, with the investigation ongoing.

St. Jakob-Park, which can accommodate approximately 40,000 spectators, previously hosted the semi-final clash between Germany and Turkey during Euro 2008.

The stadium has also been used for concerts over the years.

The fixture carries significant implications in the Swiss top flight, with Basel currently occupying fourth position in the standings.

Thun sit atop the league table with 71 points accumulated from 32 matches, holding a commanding 18-point advantage over their would-be opponents.

The gap between the two sides underscores the contrasting fortunes of the clubs this campaign, with the league leaders enjoying a dominant run of form.

Basel will now await confirmation of the rearranged encounter's date, with the league working to identify a suitable alternative date.

The club faces the additional challenge of replacing damaged equipment and restoring their facilities before returning to competitive action.