The World Cup spectacle for the entire city is already making its presence felt

Nothing substantial has changed at the heart of this rowing spectacle compared to the annual World Cup regattas: The Rotsee Natural Arena remains the venue for the athletic competitions, just as before.

The 2027 World Rowing Championships, however, will be an even greater experience for the entire city than usual. The Fan Village in the city center will serve as the gathering place for the rowing community to enjoy the supporting events. All award ceremonies will take place on Kurplatz.

Fans from all over the world can look forward to a spectacular sporting event. A total of 18 sets of medals will be awarded in able-bodied sports and five in para sports. Additionally, the highly coveted qualifying spots for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles are up for grabs. A total of over 1,000 athletes from more than 70 nations are expected to attend, along with their entourages and numerous supporters from all corners of the globe.

Rowing will take place on seven race days, with the finals held over four days starting on Thursday. During the week, rowing will take place from 2:00 p.m. to approximately 6:00 p.m.; on weekends, it will begin at 12:00 p.m.

Of course, there’s a lot of anticipation surrounding the Swiss Rowing team. Thanks in no small part to the women’s quadruple sculls’ historic European Championship triumph, expectations are high, and many members of the Swiss team will benefit greatly from the home-field advantage, since Rotsee is their home lake.

Advance ticket sales will begin in the coming days. All stakeholders will be taken into account, says Timon Wernas, executive director of the World Rowing Championships: “We’re deliberately focusing on attractive and straightforward options—both for families and first-time visitors to a World Rowing Championships, as well as for rowing fans who want prime seats with a view of the finish line.” Next year, the experience for visitors will be further enhanced by a temporary bridge behind the finish line, which will provide access to the opposite bank and the additional grandstand built there. “With grandstands on both sides of the river, the finish area will become a true outdoor arena with a great atmosphere,” adds Wernas.

From a financial standpoint as well, the course we’ve set is on the right track, thanks to the funding already pledged by private and public sources. However, there’s no reason to rest on our laurels in this regard either. Mario Gyr, president of the 2027 World Rowing Championships and himself a world champion and Olympic gold medalist, explains: “Preparing for a major event of this scale is challenging—but we’re on the right track. Our financial situation is clearly moving in the right direction. We’ll keep working on this with full energy, because our goal is clear: The World Rowing Championships should become a major, inspiring sporting celebration for the entire region.”