The Swiss Cup: The Heart of Swiss Football

The Swiss Cup is more than just a football competition – it is a living tradition. Since 1925, Swiss club teams compete here annually to conquer the coveted trophy. It is a highlight for fans and players. We show you how the Cup has developed and what makes it so special.

Zerlo Team · 01.06.2025 · Schweizer Cup · 5 min

What Makes the Swiss Cup So Captivating

Many wonder why the Swiss Cup has such great appeal. A crucial point is the home-right regulation: lower-tier clubs play at home until the semi-finals. This gives smaller clubs the chance to face the big ones in front of their own fans. Imagine your village club beating a Swiss Super League giant – that's the stuff Cup dreams are made of! This rule ensures surprises and strengthens talent development. When we see young talents surpass themselves through such matches, it becomes clear: the Cup is a springboard and a huge motivator.

The History of the Cup: From the Beginnings to Today

The roots of the Swiss Cup go further back than its official founding in 1925. Even before the "Swiss Cup," there were competitions like the Anglo-Cup (1909–1913) or the Och-Cup (1920–1922). They laid the foundation for our current cup. Eugen Landolt, president of FC Baden, initiated the current competition in 1925. He also donated the impressive trophy, a cup weighing almost seven kilograms. A major change came in 2003/2004: the number of participants shrank from 196 to 64 teams. Since then, Super League and Challenge League clubs enter directly in the first main round. This increased the competition density and made the Cup even more exciting.

How the Swiss Cup Works: Rules and Procedures

The Swiss Cup follows a pure knockout system: whoever loses is out. There are no second legs; each match is a decisive game. We start with the 1/32-finals, where 64 teams fight for the victory. All Super League and Challenge League teams are included, the remaining spots are allocated through qualification rounds and regional cups. From the 5th league up to the highest division – everyone can participate. Home-right remains with lower-tier clubs until the semi-finals. In case of a draw, it goes to extra time, and if necessary, decided by a penalty shootout. The final traditionally takes place at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, but other large arenas like the St. Jakob-Park in Basel have also proven to be suitable venues.

A Look into the Statistics: Records and Dominances

The numbers of the Swiss Cup tell a clear story: some clubs have been dominating the scene for a long time. Grasshopper Club Zürich leads the leaderboard with 19 titles – an impressive achievement. Closely followed by FC Basel and FC Sion with 13 victories each. FC Zürich has won the cup 10 times. These clubs shape Swiss football. The most frequent final pairing, which took place between Grasshoppers and Servette Geneva, shows us the legendary rivalries. The Swiss Cup is indeed also a reflection of our football history.

Record Winners in the Swiss Cup