FC Lugano

Football Club Lugano was founded on July 28, 1908, under the leadership of then-president Ernesto Corsini. For nearly 50 years, the team played its home matches at Campo Marzio. In the 1920s, the club earned its first-ever promotion to the highest level of Swiss soccer. FC Lugano claimed its first Swiss Cup title, beating Grasshopper Club Zürich 2-1 at Campo Marzio after extra time. Scorers Sturzi and Poretti. For the first time, the club was crowned Swiss champions, reaching the summit of Swiss soccer. Just a few seasons later, the club secured its second Swiss championship title. After a few unsuccessful years, Lugano returned to glory with another Swiss league title. On August 26, 1951, the Cornaredo Stadium was officially opened, replacing the historic Campo Marzio. On April 15, 1968, Lugano lifted its second Swiss Cup, defeating Winterthur 2-1 at the Wankdorf in Bern. Scorers Luttrop and Simonetti. Lugano made its debut in the UEFA Cup, exiting in the round of 32 against Legia Warsaw. Lugano won its third Swiss Cup, beating Grasshopper Club Zürich. Scorers Andrioli, twice Subiat and Fornera. The victory earned them a spot in the Cup Winners’ Cup. After ousting Neman Grodno of Belarus, the run was halted in the round of 16 against Real Madrid. At the end of the 2000–2001 season, the Bianconeri finished second in the league and qualified for the Champions League qualifiers for the first time. They were eliminated by Shakhtar Donetsk after a 3-0 loss in the first leg, despite a 2-1 victory for Lugano in the return match at Cornaredo. In April 2003, due to severe financial difficulties, the club declared bankruptcy. The club was re-founded the following season as Associazione Calcio Lugano, starting over from the 2nd League Interregional (fifth division in Switzerland) with its U21 team. On June 30, 2004, AC Lugano merged with FC Malcantone Agno, which had just been promoted to the Challenge League. On June 4, 2008, during a special shareholders’ meeting, the club officially returned to its historic name—Football Club Lugano—in celebration of its 100th anniversary. After majority shares were gradually acquired by Angelo Renzetti starting in 2012-2013, the club was promoted to the Super League at the end of the 2014-2015 season. In August 2021, FC Lugano was passed into the hands of Joe Mansueto, owner of Chicago Fire FC. This was the start of a new era for Lugano. On 17 May 2026, Lugano played the last match in its history at the Stadio di Cornaredo. The 4-0 win against FC Basel secured third place in the league and qualification for the UEFA Conference League Q2. On 30 and 31 May 2026, the AIL Arena officially opened its doors to the public. More than 10,000 people reached the new Bianconeri home to take part in the opening weekend and discover the new venue up close, located at the heart of the city’s sports and events district. On 5 June 2026, the AIL Arena hosts the first official match in its history: Switzerland v Malta, a fixture valid for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers. The match opens the sporting chapter of the new stadium and brings international football to the new bianconeri home.