FC Winterthur hosted the Swiss Inclusion League event at the Schützenwiese on 26 and 27 September. Over 400 people, including 140 players, coaches, and families, participated in the weekend, which followed the principle of 'experience before result'. The league is played without official referees, with fair play the responsibility of the teams and coaches.
Michael Loetscher, FC Winterthur's Inclusion Officer, highlighted the event's spirit. "In football, it's not about victory and defeat, but about belonging," said Loetscher. On Saturday afternoon, a public Walking Football tournament was also held with inclusion team players and guests from politics, business, and sport.
Stadium expansion approved
Alongside the event, Winterthur voters decided on the expansion of the Schützenwiese on Sunday. The project for two new stands and an operations and changing building with twelve changing rooms was approved by a large majority of 75.45 percent. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, strengthening the club's infrastructure long-term.
Among the tournament participants was the FC Zürich Brunau team, which finished second overall. It won against FC Aarau Traktor azb (1-0), FC Appenzell (3-1) and ASSG Servette FC (2-0), but lost to Fortuna SG (0-1) and hosts FC Winterthur (2-3). In Walking Football, the team beat FC Bruschgol (3-0) and FC Winterthur (1-0), but lost to FC Solothurn (0-3).
The club is in a successful period. In the Challenge League, FC Winterthur currently sits second with 18 points from nine games and a run of five consecutive wins. During this recent form, the team has scored an average of 2.6 goals per game across those five victories. The next match is on 9 October away to sixth-placed Neuchatel Xamax FC. The positive mood at the club is supported by such events and the sporting development, which is also reflected in the current standings.
This story first appeared at Sfl.ch
