Winterthur

FC Winterthur – Club History

FC Winterthur was founded in 1896 in Winterthur, Switzerland's sixth-largest city located northeast of Zürich in the canton of Zürich. The club is one of Switzerland's historic football institutions and has a long tradition stretching back to the very origins of organised Swiss football. Playing in amber and black, Winterthur have spent periods in the Swiss top flight and maintained a presence in Swiss football across their history. After a long absence from the Super League, the club earned promotion in 2022 and returned to Swiss football's top tier for the first time in 28 years, generating enormous celebration across the Winterthur community.

FC Winterthur's return to the Swiss Super League in 2022 was achieved through excellent play in the Swiss Challenge League (second division) and was celebrated as a historic moment for the club and city. The club's rich history includes multiple earlier Super League seasons and a tradition of developing quality Swiss talent. Under manager Alex Zülle, their promotion campaign was the culmination of years of patient rebuilding that restored Winterthur to their rightful place among Swiss football's elite clubs.

Schützenwiese Stadium

FC Winterthur play at the Schützenwiese Stadium in Winterthur, a historic ground that has been the club's home throughout their existence. The stadium holds approximately 8,500 supporters and was developed and improved ahead of the club's return to Super League football. Its central location in Winterthur and its history connecting the modern club to its founding era give the Schützenwiese a special character. Super League football has returned to this historic venue after nearly three decades away, to the joy of Winterthur's loyal supporters.

Key Milestones

1896 – Club founded in Winterthur. 1926 – Swiss championship. 1940 – Swiss Super League competition. 1994 – Relegated from Swiss Super League. 1994–2022 – Second-division football; rebuilding period. 2022 – Promoted to Swiss Super League after 28-year absence. 2023 – First full Swiss Super League season in modern era; survival achieved. 2024 – Establishing Super League presence.