If you’re still calling it the Switzerland Axpo Super League, honestly, nobody blames you. It was the name that defined the modern era of Swiss football when the league rebranded in 2003. It stuck. Like how people still call the Sears Tower by its old name, the "Axpo" tag became synonymous with that crisp, Alpine style of play we’ve come to love.
But here’s the reality: Axpo hasn't been the title sponsor since 2012.
Since then, we’ve cycled through Raiffeisen and Credit Suisse, and as of the 2025–26 season, we are officially in the era of the Brack Super League. Despite the corporate musical chairs, the soul of the league—the fierce rivalries between the "Big Three" and the constant threat of a provincial underdog overperforming—remains exactly the same.
The Legend of the Axpo Years
Why do we still cling to the Switzerland Axpo Super League name? Basically, it was the Golden Age. From 2003 to 2012, Swiss football underwent a massive facelift. We moved away from the clunky "Nationalliga A" and embraced a sleeker, 10-team format that made every single match feel like a high-stakes brawl.
Think back to the 2005-06 season. That’s the one every Basel fan wants to forget and every FC Zürich fan has tattooed on their brain.
It was the final matchday. Basel only needed a draw at home to win the title. They were at St. Jakob-Park, basically an impenetrable fortress at the time. Then, in the 93rd minute, Iulian Filipescu scored for Zürich. The stadium went silent. The "Axpo" era was defined by that kind of pure, unadulterated drama. It wasn’t just a league; it was a weekly heart attack.
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The 2026 Landscape: New Format, Same Drama
Fast forward to right now. The Switzerland Axpo Super League—or the Brack Super League, if we’re being formal—has changed its clothes again. We’ve ditched the 10-team setup.
We’re now running with 12 teams.
The league uses what some fans call the "Scottish Model." It’s a bit complicated, but it basically splits the season into two phases. First, everyone plays each other three times. Then, the table is sliced down the middle. The top six go into a "Championship Group" to fight for the trophy, and the bottom six enter a "Relegation Group" to avoid the drop.
It's ruthless.
In the current 2025–26 season, things have gone a bit sideways. FC Basel, the giants who fell into a bit of a slump for a few years, are finally looking like their old selves under the leadership of veterans like Xherdan Shaqiri. But the real story is FC Thun. They just came back up from the Challenge League and, as of late 2025, they were actually sitting at the top of the table.
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Imagine that. A promoted team leading the giants. That’s the kind of parity the "Axpo" rebranding always dreamed of.
The Big Players You Need to Watch
If you’re tuning in today, you aren't seeing the same faces from ten years ago, but the quality has arguably never been higher. Switzerland is currently a top-16 league in Europe according to UEFA’s coefficients.
- Christian Fassnacht: The Young Boys legend is still at it, leading the scoring charts alongside Chris Bedia.
- Xherdan Shaqiri: Yes, the "Power Cube" is back at Basel. He might be 34 now, but his left foot is still a magic wand.
- Christopher Ibayi: A powerhouse striker for Sion who has been absolutely clinical this season.
The league is a breeding ground. We see it every year—a kid shows up, dominates for six months, and then gets sold to the Bundesliga for twenty million francs. It's the cycle of life here.
Why the Switzerland Axpo Super League Legacy Still Matters
The reason "Axpo" stays in our vocabulary is that it represented stability. For nearly a decade, the league didn't have to worry about its identity. Today, things feel faster. The sponsorship deals are shorter. The format changes are more frequent.
But the atmosphere? It’s better than ever.
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Attendances are actually peaking. BSC Young Boys are regularly packing nearly 30,000 people into the Wankdorf. Basel is right there with them at St. Jakob-Park. Even smaller clubs like St. Gallen are pulling in 18,000 fans a game. If you've never stood in a Swiss "Kurve" (the fan sections) behind the goal, you're missing out on some of the most organized, loud, and pyro-heavy support in Europe.
The Liechtenstein Quirk
Here’s a weird fact most people forget: FC Vaduz. They play in the Swiss system because Liechtenstein doesn't have its own league. But even if Vaduz (or another Liechtenstein club) wins the Switzerland Axpo Super League, they can't be "Swiss Champions." That title would go to the highest-placed team actually based in Switzerland.
It hasn't happened yet, but the possibility always adds a bit of flavor to the mid-table battle.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following the league this year, there are a few things you should keep in mind to stay ahead:
- Watch the "Split" Date: The league splits on April 12, 2026. Teams in 6th and 7th place will be fighting like crazy in the weeks leading up to that. Once you're in the bottom six, you can't win the league, no matter how many points you get.
- Home Field Advantage is Real: High-altitude or turf pitches like Young Boys' Wankdorf make it notoriously difficult for visiting teams. Always check the surface before assuming a "big" team will win away.
- The Shaqiri Factor: Basel's performance is heavily tied to Shaqiri's fitness. When he’s on the pitch, Basel's goal-scoring probability jumps significantly.
- Promoted Momentum: Keep an eye on FC Thun. Promoted teams in Switzerland often have a "honeymoon" period where they overperform for the first 20 matchdays before the depth of the squad is tested in the spring.
The name on the trophy might have changed, but the Switzerland Axpo Super League spirit—the one that prioritizes technical skill, passionate fans, and unpredictable results—is alive and well. Whether you're a Basel ultra or a casual observer, the 2025–26 season is proving that Swiss football is far more than just a "stepping stone" league. It's a destination.
Track the upcoming matches through the official SFL (Swiss Football League) website to stay updated on the "Championship Group" standings as we head into the final months of the season.