Roger Brennwald reported that 67,600 spectators streamed into the St. Jakobshalle for the Swiss Indoors, marking a tournament attendance record since venue capacity was reduced for safety reasons. Speaking at the close of the 55th edition of the Basel tennis tournament, tournament president Brennwald expressed satisfaction with the milestone, which included 2,500 complimentary tickets distributed to young people.
Attendance and Capacity Records at St. Jakobshalle
The total attendance figure of 67,600 sets a new benchmark for the indoor tournament since the departure of Swiss great Roger Federer, according to tournament organizers. This turnout was achieved despite a reduction in venue capacity from 8,600 down to 8,100 seats, a change implemented due to safety regulations at the St. Jakobshalle. Brennwald noted that the event was practically sold out across all days even before Novak Djokovic confirmed his late participation.
Sporting Highlights and the Exit of Top Seeds
On the court, Brennwald secured twelve players under contract for the tournament, a move he described as delivering a quality of matches rarely seen. However, this competitive depth meant early exits for the event’s biggest names. Among the upsets, 222nd-ranked Jérôme Kym from the Frickthal region eliminated top-seeded world number four Ben Shelton after a match that concluded past midnight on Thursday. Brennwald joked that Kym would hear from him regarding the early departure of the tournament’s marquee attraction, adding that the status of future wildcards for the Swiss player remains questionable.
Two legends sharing the court in Basel 🤝🇨🇭Novak Djokovic returns to the Swiss Indoors Basel for the first time since 2011, while Stan Wawrinka prepares for his final tournament before retirement 🎾 pic.twitter.com/vY7UgX1a8d
Financial Realities and the Comparison with Vienna
Operating in Switzerland’s high-cost market pushed the tournament’s budget to nearly 19 million Swiss francs, which Brennwald identified as the most expensive and complex edition in the event’s history. By comparison, the concurrent tournament in Vienna operated on a budget of approximately 13 million Swiss francs. While Vienna secured additional top-ten players—including Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev—after Jannik Sinner ended his season early, Basel’s budget was already fully committed.
Player Pullouts and Scheduling Pressures
The heavy concentration of star players created severe scheduling bottlenecks on the center court, particularly between Monday and Thursday, leading to late finishes that frequently featured Swiss competitors. Brennwald acknowledged that high-profile withdrawals, including Felix Auger-Aliassime, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and defending champion João Fonseca, ultimately eased logistical strains. Without those absences, organizers would have struggled to fit all scheduled matches into the available court time.
Future Outlook for the Basel Tournament
Looking ahead, Brennwald stated that the tournament cannot expand further and must focus on stability rather than continued growth. Supported by an organization of roughly 500 internal staff and 500 external personnel, the tournament president confirmed his intention to remain at the helm for several more years, following an edition that also featured a public farewell for veteran Swiss player Stan Wawrinka.
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