Planning a trip to see FC Luzern with kids at Thermoplan Arena (formerly Swissporarena) is a great family-friendly activity in Lucerne. Located just 10 minutes south of the Lucerne city center, this modern stadium holds roughly 16,800 spectators and serves as the home ground for FC Luzern, a historic club founded in 1901. Our family attended the FC Luzern vs. FC Basel match, which delivered high energy, stunning mountain views, and an exciting overall game-day experience. Here are our practical tips to help you plan a smooth visit with your family.
Getting to the Stadium
We strongly recommend taking Lucerne’s public transit. When we drove and parked at the Allmend/Messe P2 lot, exiting after the final whistle took forever due to bottleneck traffic. Public transit is far faster and drops you right outside the gates.
- S-Bahn Train: Take line S4 or S5 from Lucerne Main Station (Luzern Bahnhof) to Allmend/Messe. The ride takes approximately 2 minutes.
- City Bus: Take Bus Line 20 from Lucerne station to either Allmend/Messe or Zihlmattweg (about 8 minutes).
- Stadium Address: Horwerstrasse 91, 6005 Luzern, Switzerland.
Booking Tickets and Choosing the Best Family Seats
You can buy tickets directly online via the official FC Luzern ticketing portal. Where you sit makes a significant difference in your family’s comfort:
- Shade vs. Direct Sun: Our seats were in direct sunlight and got quite warm during the match. For guaranteed shade, choose seats in Row 12 or higher in Sector C, or opt for Sector A.
- Atmosphere: If your children prefer a calmer environment, stick to Sector A or Sector C. These areas are much less rowdy than the ultra-supporter sections behind the goals.
- Scenery: Keep an eye out between plays—the stadium offers panoramic views of the surrounding Swiss Alps, including Mount Pilatus.
*Stadium seating image from Ticketmaster
Stadium Amenities & Practical Tips
- Security & Entry: Gates open well before kickoff. Entering by assigned sector is straightforward, with Sector A admitted first. Staff perform bag checks and use metal detector wands, but the lines moved quickly for us.
- Lockers: If you have luggage, strollers, or oversized items, rental lockers are situated near the main entrance next to the ticket office.
- Family Restrooms: Baby changing tables are available inside the accessible restrooms.
- Noise Protection: The stadium atmosphere gets loud, especially when the home section starts chanting. Bring noise-canceling headphones for younger children or noise-sensitive kids.
- Fan Shop: We stopped by the team store on the south side of the arena. My son picked up an official FC Luzern hat, which made a great souvenir from our trip.
Food & Concessions
Standard stadium food stalls are stationed throughout the concourses, offering classic matchday fare such as bratwurst, burgers, fries, and soft pretzels.
- Crowds & Timing: Lines move steadily before kickoff but become very congested at halftime. Head down a few minutes before the break if you need a refill.
- Kid-Friendly Options: There is no dedicated children’s menu, but my son was perfectly happy snacking on a warm pretzel while watching the match.
- Stadium Policies: Outside food and drinks are not allowed past security (including personal water bottles). There is also a sit-down restaurant on-site, though access is reserved exclusively for VIP ticket holders.
Final Thoughts
Attending an FC Luzern game was an easy, memorable afternoon for our family. Between the lively atmosphere, manageable stadium layout, and views of Mount Pilatus, it is a fun outing for both casual travelers and devoted soccer fans alike. Keep the seating recommendations in mind for shade, hop on the S-Bahn, and enjoy the match. For more family-friendly activities in Lucerne, check out our blog for further guides and travel tips.