Heatwave Warnings Issued Across Host Nation as Organisers Take Precautions to Keep Players and Fans Safe

Switzerland is a far cry from its snow-covered mountains and world-class skiing as the country prepares to host Euro 2025. With temperatures soaring across the host nation, the heatwave is set to last until Monday, leaving tournament organisers scrambling to keep players and fans safe.

The Swiss authorities have issued amber heatwave warnings across the country until Thursday, with temperatures expected to be around 10C above average for this time of year. The high mountains, where temperatures are lower due to the altitude, are a stark contrast to the sun-scorched country below. Temperatures could rise to highs of 35C, with the threat of thunderstorms causing heavy downpours towards the end of the week.

For the earlier kick-offs at 18:00 CET (17:00 BST), temperatures are expected to be between 27 and 30C, while the later 21:00 CET kick-offs are predicted to be cooler, ranging from 24 to 27C. The tournament begins on Wednesday as Iceland play Finland in Thun in the 17:00 BST game, with the temperature forecast to be 28C.

However, it’s expected to be 29C when hosts Switzerland face Norway in Basel later that evening. The heatwave is set to last until Monday, when temperatures are expected to drop by 10C to highs of 23C.

The players are also bracing themselves for the hot conditions, but Wales defender Gemma Evans says “it’s pointless using it as an excuse”. Her team-mate Rachel Rowe agreed, adding: “It’s the same for everybody isn’t it? We’ve had our week in Portugal to prepare so I feel like we’re really on our way now to being able to perform in that weather.”

Wales forward Elise Hughes added: “We’ve got support staff around us that make sure that we’re in the best place possible, hydration and nutrition-wise, and we haven’t spent time in the sun outside of training.”

To combat the heat, Uefa has taken several precautions. Huge fans have been placed on the side of the pitch at St Jakob-Park to stop the grass from scorching. Uefa delegates will measure the temperature with a wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) thermometer at the end of the teams’ warm-ups. If the WBGT temperature exceeds 32C, cooling breaks will be introduced for players during the match.

A heat warning has been issued by Uefa for all matches on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with fans allowed to bring a water bottle up to half a litre in size into the stadium on those days. Uefa has also encouraged fans to re-fill their bottles and cups in the stadium bathrooms, and to seek shade in the fan zones across the country.

By the time Wales face the Netherlands in the opening Group D match on Saturday, it is likely that the temperature will have dropped. Wales’ first ever game at a major tournament will be played in Lucerne, where thundery showers and light winds are forecast, along with highs of 30C.