With the Swiss women’s football team set to compete in next year’s European Championship on home soil, the spotlight is increasingly on their progress and the challenges they still face. Women's football has seen notable improvements, yet many players struggle to earn a living from the sport.
Nadine Riesen, who made her debut in Switzerland’s top league back in 2015 with FC St. Gallen, recalls the stark contrasts over the years. Initially, she washed her own training gear and financed her equipment with pocket money. It wasn't until she joined YB women two years later, receiving her first pay, when she was taken aback by the idea of being financially compensated for her passion. "Money didn't matter to me in football before. I played simply because I enjoyed it," Riesen reflects, now competing as a professional at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Six months before the Euro begins, Riesen expresses optimism, stating, "This Euro will trigger significant changes in Swiss football. We national players know our performance can contribute greatly to it." The sentiment echoes within the community as many believe the tournament will catapult women’s football to new heights.
Despite these advances, insiders of women’s football agree there remains considerable work to be done. Marion Daube, Director of Women’s Football at the Swiss Football Association and key figure behind hosting the Euro, elaborates, "We are not yet where we want to be, but we are on the right track." Indeed, the attendance at recent matches reflects this burgeoning interest; over 17,000 fans turned up for the home match against Germany, setting records for women's international matches.
The successful rebranding of the National League A to the Women's Super League and the introduction of title sponsorships have enhanced the league's attractiveness to partners and sponsors, according to Daube. "The league’s now appealing, and many clubs are taking advantage of large stadiums for matches," she notes.
Nevertheless, the financial realities remain harsh, with fewer than half of the players earning above the minimal acceptable income level for amateurs, estimated at 500 Swiss Francs per month. A stark comparison exists between those who play domestically versus those who have taken opportunities abroad, like Riesen. "The financial gap between national players who play here and those overseas is still vast," Daube admits.
The pursuit of professional football often leads Swiss female players to leagues outside their home country. Riesen recognizes her move to the Bundesliga was driven not only by the chance to develop her skills but also the financial stability it offers. "Yet, the cost of living is lower there, making it easier to sustain myself as I train to improve."
Hoping to develop the next generation, Daube underlines the necessity of investing in youth football, as recruitment from abroad could detract from nurturing local talent. "Our clubs must prioritize developing home-grown players," she insists.
Jennifer Wyss, another advocate for the growth of women's football, emphasizes the opportunity posed by the upcoming Euro. With her involvement at the Eastern Swiss Football Association, she aims to double the number of female players, coaches, and officials by 2027. "If many more girls want to play football after the Euro, we have to be prepared for it," Wyss asserts.
All these initiatives reflect the aspirations surrounding this tournament. Women's football is only just beginning to carve its niche within Swiss sporting culture. More players transitioning to significant roles post-retirement could accelerate this transformation. Although palpable progress exists, the path toward equitable compensation, visibility, and professionalism remains lengthy.
Riesen sees signs of improvement but acknowledges the harsh realities of the financial disparities encountered by her peers, particularly when compared to men's football, stating, "The media still predominantly covers the men's game, and we find ourselves measuring against them constantly."
The excitement surrounding the upcoming European Championship serves as more than just another tournament. It’s viewed as both a culmination of years of effort and as the launching pad for the future of women’s football across Switzerland, where ambitions run high, and the possibilities, limitless.
"We are witnessing change," Riesen notes, adding her hope for sustained growth within the sport. There’s undeniable enthusiasm, and the Euro 2025 presents the perfect opportunity for Swiss women’s football to garner the attention it deserves, inspiring players and fans alike to rally behind this fast-evolving sport.