Project Description


The Tissot Arena is a multi-faceted sports/entertainment venue in Bern, Switzerland. The complex is comprised of a football stadium with a capacity of 5,200 (expandable to 10,000), and a 6’521-seat ice hockey arena with a 6 rink curling hall and an ice skating rink. Primary lessees include the ten-team Swiss Challenge League football club, the FC Biel-Bienne football team, the National League A, Switzerland’s top tier ice hockey league, and the EHC Biel ice hockey club.  Completed in 2015, the stadium and arena replaced the 100+ year-old Gurzelen football stadium and, the decommissioned 40+ year-old Biel ice hockey arena. Renowned watch manufacturer, Tissot, a member of The Swatch Group with headquarters in Biel/Bienne, acquired naming rights of the arena through 2025.


The versatile Tissot Arena was designed to host a wide array of sports competitions, including football, hockey, ice skating, and curling. The hockey arena is equipped with a versatile flexible audio routing system to allow for various scenarios and room orientations. The complex also encompasses significant social interaction attractions including shopping, five movie theaters, concert performances, cultural events, dining, business meetings and, thanks to Place Publique, at 4,200 sq. meters / 45,210 sq. ft., one of the largest covered squares in Switzerland, provides an extremely convivial environment for public gatherings.


WSDG was engaged by leading Swiss systems integrator PKE Electronics AG, to provide consulting on room acoustics for all the sports environs and to perform comprehensive consultation on the electroacoustics systems throughout the sports areas. The football stadium is situated in southwest zone of the complex; the ice rinks reside in the northeast sector. The complex represents one of Europe’s most advanced, secure, attractive and visitor friendly multi-purpose sports/entertainment settings. A significant portion of the electricity for the Tissot Arena is produced by 8,100 solar panels installed on its roof. View 360 Panorama Here.

Project Credits:

Architect: GLS Architekten AG
Construction: HRS Real Estate AG
System Integrator: PKE Electronics AG
Audio Equipment: JBL
BSS Soundweb
Photos: Carmela Odoni