Successful festival account of the ESAF 2025 Glarus region+

Mollis, 15 January 2026 – Media release OK ESAF 2025 Glarnerland+. The Organising Committee of the Swiss National Wrestling and Alpine Festival (ESAF) 2025 Glarnerland+ is pleased to announce the successful completion of the festival’s financial accounts. After intensive and careful planning and an unforgettable festival at the end of August 2025, the event was not only a sporting and cultural success, but also a financial one.

The Swiss Federal Wrestling and Alpine Festival, which takes place every three years, was held in the canton of Glarus for the first time in the 130-year history of the Swiss Federal Wrestling Association. From 29 to 31 August 2025, the Glarus region will host the largest recurring sporting event in Switzerland, the Swiss Federal Wrestling and Alpine Festival. The Glarus region world arena will accommodate 56,500 spectators. Over the two weeks leading up to the festival and during the festival weekend itself, more than 500,000 visitors were welcomed to the festival grounds.

What the ESAF 2025 Glarus region presidential committee had already predicted for the overall organising committee after the fourth budget round in January 2025 is now a fait accompli. Thanks to the cost-conscious and prudent organisation and the generous support of sponsors, partners, the army and the civil protection service, the goal of breaking even was achieved. ‘I am very proud that the first Swiss Federal Wrestling and Alpine Festival in the canton of Glarus has been such a resounding success. I would also like to extend my thanks to the local population, the farmers, all the members of the organising committee and the hosts and hostesses,’ says OK president Jakob Kamm.

It is particularly pleasing that the budgeted hourly rate for helpers can be increased from CHF 8.00 to a generous CHF 25.00 per hour. This compensation will be paid out in the coming weeks to the approximately 190 OK members and the approximately 9,000 hosts and hostesses who have contributed a total of over 120,000 hours of voluntary work. In addition, an extra CHF 5.00 per hour will be paid out instead of a helper event.

The goal ‘I knew the Glarus people could do it. But that they could do it so well, that’s something that nobody would have predicted’ has been more than confirmed by the numerous, heartfelt responses from all over Switzerland. Together, the region has shown what can be achieved with voluntary, tireless commitment and passion.

Media contact

OK ESAF 2025 Glarnerland+
info@esaf2025.ch