NEWS
Fifa Museum loses CHF30m in opening year
POSTED 11 Nov 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The museum was hoping to welcome around 250,000 visitors annually, but its numbers are around half that
FIFA’s World Football Museum in Zurich has suffered a disappointing start after incurring losses of more than CHF30m (US$30.5m, €27.9m, £24.1m) in its first year.

First announced by then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter in 2012, the 3,000sq m (32,300sq ft) museum is part of a larger CHF150m (US$152.3m, €139.7m, £120.7m) development which includes the CHF30m (US$30.5m, €27.9m, £24.1m) museum, luxury apartments, a restaurant, a sports bar, a shop, FIFA office space and a conference centre.

Opened on 28 February, the museum has had a turbulent beginning, opening in the midst of a corruption scandal within Fifa and then last month seeing its inaugural managing director, Stefan Jost, leave over “contrasting views” on its future development.

The museum was hoping to welcome around 250,000 visitors annually – around 21,000 visitors a month. However in its first year the museum is only drawing 11,000 a month – 132,000 a year.

Museum spokesperson Delia Fischer confirmed the losses to The Telegraph, saying "new, innovative approaches" were being explored to keep the museum financially stable, with a working group now working on an improved business model, which will be presented to the Fifa Council in January 2017.
RELATED STORIES
  FEATURE: People profile: Stefan Jost


FIFA Museum managing director Stefan Jost
  Exclusive: Brand new FIFA museum won't shy away from controversies, says MD


Stefan Jost, managing director of FIFA’s World Football Museum in Zurich, has said he won’t let turmoil within the body affect the museum as it prepares for its launch this weekend.
 


CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
Leisure Management - Fifa Museum loses CHF30m in opening year...
08 Jun 2026 Leisure Management: daily news and jobs
 
 
HOME
JOBS
NEWS
FEATURES
PRODUCTS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION
PRINT SUBSCRIPTION
ADVERTISE
CONTACT US
Sign up for FREE ezine
Latest news

11 Nov 2016

Fifa Museum loses CHF30m in opening year
BY Tom Anstey

The museum was hoping to welcome around 250,000 visitors annually, but its numbers are around half that

The museum was hoping to welcome around 250,000 visitors annually, but its numbers are around half that

FIFA’s World Football Museum in Zurich has suffered a disappointing start after incurring losses of more than CHF30m (US$30.5m, €27.9m, £24.1m) in its first year.

First announced by then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter in 2012, the 3,000sq m (32,300sq ft) museum is part of a larger CHF150m (US$152.3m, €139.7m, £120.7m) development which includes the CHF30m (US$30.5m, €27.9m, £24.1m) museum, luxury apartments, a restaurant, a sports bar, a shop, FIFA office space and a conference centre.

Opened on 28 February, the museum has had a turbulent beginning, opening in the midst of a corruption scandal within Fifa and then last month seeing its inaugural managing director, Stefan Jost, leave over “contrasting views” on its future development.

The museum was hoping to welcome around 250,000 visitors annually – around 21,000 visitors a month. However in its first year the museum is only drawing 11,000 a month – 132,000 a year.

Museum spokesperson Delia Fischer confirmed the losses to The Telegraph, saying "new, innovative approaches" were being explored to keep the museum financially stable, with a working group now working on an improved business model, which will be presented to the Fifa Council in January 2017.



Connect with
Leisure Management
Magazine:
View issue contents
Sign up:
Instant Alerts/zines

Print edition
 

News headlines
Longevitix launches AI-powered platform to deliver longevity medicine at scale
Longevitix launches AI-powered platform to deliver longevity medicine at scale   08 Jun 2026

Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver .... more>>

Orangetheory set for Italian expansion and Technogym tie-up
Orangetheory set for Italian expansion and Technogym tie-up   08 Jun 2026

Purpose Brands has announced its entry into the Italian market, having sold the franchise rights for four Orangetheory Fitness studios to Icon .... more>>

Atmantan Wellness Centre announces new wellness destination in Hyderabad
Atmantan Wellness Centre announces new wellness destination in Hyderabad   08 Jun 2026

Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in .... more>>

Fitness First adds red light therapy to relaxation classes
Fitness First adds red light therapy to relaxation classes   08 Jun 2026

Fitness First UK is integrating red light therapy into its yoga and Pilates classes through a partnership with Bon Charge.

....
more>>
The Retreat Costa Rica debuts Vida Mía Longevity Centre
The Retreat Costa Rica debuts Vida Mía Longevity Centre   07 Jun 2026

Luxury wellness resort, The Retreat Costa Rica, has introduced its Vida Mía Longevity Centre at the property’s Vida Mía Healing Centre and .... more>>

Almost half of spa survey respondents are unaware cancer is a disability and not adapting treatments is discrimination
Almost half of spa survey respondents are unaware cancer is a disability and not adapting treatments is discrimination   05 Jun 2026

A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care has revealed that almost half of participating .... more>>

Company profile


Everyone Active

Everyone Active operates leisure centres in partnership with local councils across the UK. Today, Everyone Active manages 200 leisure facilities and cultural services in partnership with more than 60 different local authorities nationwide.

View full profile>>

Catalogue gallery


Featured Supplier

Endospheres' new protocols are designed to meet real client needs

Endospheres' new protocols are designed to meet real client needs

Spa professionals see it every day: clients are arriving with more complex expectations. More>>




in this issue

• Virgin gets right to wipe out rent arrears
• Fitness industry mourns passing of Jan Spaticchia
• STA offers mindfulness resources



Latest jobs

Jobs Search



Membership Advisor
Salary: Competitive salary plus commission & benefits
Location: Market Rasen
Company: Everyone Active
Customer Service Advisor
Salary: Competitive
Location: Market Rasen
Company: Everyone Active
GP Exercise Referral Instructor
Salary: £33,000pa + benefits
Location: Harrow
Company: Everyone Active
Diary dates
Powered by leisurediary.com

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland







Published by Leisure Media Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385 | Contact us | About us | © Cybertrek Ltd