FIFA headquarters - 10 Things to Know Before Visiting

Iconic Buildings

About FIFA headquarters

The FIFA headquarters is a distinctive building complex in Zürich. The complex has served as the official headquarters of FIFA since its completion in 2006. It is located on the Zürichberg, a wooded hill. As well as offices, the complex includes a fitness centre, a meditation room, geographically themed parks, and a full-size international football pitch.

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Things to Do at FIFA headquarters

The unique building unfolds along 134 meters (440 feet) in a series of sleek, glassy partitions. The building is comprised of multiple stories, with about two-thirds lying underground. The underground space includes space for archives, parking, meetings, technology and a prayer room. The segment above ground houses offices for 300 employees, the reception area and a conference room.

Although the building's simple exterior blends in with the woody landscape, the interior is marked by rich material luxury. Its design features costly works from glass, Brazilian shale, and American walnut wood. The aluminium walls in the headquarters were hammered from a specially constructed machine and are adorned with chrome steel hand railings that artfully reflect the light streaming inside.

Unlike many public buildings, where a transparent exterior suggests the ability of the outside world to keep an eye on the elected officials, FIFA headquarters' underground section closes it off completely to the public.

The third of its five underground stories contains the executive committee's meeting chamber. Aluminium walls and a cool, lapis lazuli floor lend the chamber an enclosed feel. This is where a small circle of leaders decides on reforms, rules, sanctions, legal issues and the world championships that have a profound impact on soccer worldwide.

The main element of the outside landscape design is a park to the south and west of the building, which interchanges dense forest vegetation with open fields and clearings. It is accessed by a meandering footpath that leads through the various plant worlds.

Plants from all six “football continents” are represented at the park, mirroring the activities of FIFA as the world governing body and organiser of global sports events. The park is made up of a mix of indigenous and exotic vegetation.

A savannah-like landscape stands for Africa, a copse of blossoms for Asia. Powerful groups of trees with an undergrowth of shrubs rise from fields of high grass, portraying Oceania’s bushland. Vegetation such as is found in mountain forests represents South America. Europe is portrayed by the small trees and bushes of varying heights along the indigenous forest’s edge, which extends the existing bordering forest onto FIFA’s property and ties the campus to the surrounding landscape by overriding the visual boundary.

Activities Around

History of FIFA headquarters

FIFA headquarters was built for around 145 million euros ($184 million) with financial contributions from FIFA's 208 member countries. The construction of the building was completed in 2006, designed by Swiss architect Tilla Theus. The headquarters lie on FIFA Street, which was approved by the city specifically for the new structure.

Best Time to Visit FIFA headquarters

The FIFA headquarters is not open to visitors. You can only view the structure from the outside.

Tips for Visiting FIFA headquarters

  1. The building complex is not open to the public. You can only view it from outside.

Interesting Facts and Trivias About FIFA headquarters

  1. The main building of FIFA headquarters has only two upper levels, but five underground levels, resulting in two-thirds of the headquarters lying underground.
  2. The park outside the building is made up of a mix of indigenous and exotic vegetation with plants from all six football continents represented mirroring the activities of FIFA as the world's football governing body.

How Much Time Did Visitors Spend at FIFA headquarters

FIFA headquarters can be visited easily in 30 minutes to 1 hour as the public does not have access to its interiors.

How to Reach FIFA headquarters

From Zurich central train station, take tram number 6 to reach the FIFA headquarters. It takes only 25 minutes to reach. Alternatively, you can walk for 50 minutes to reach it.

Entrance Fee of FIFA headquarters

There is no fee to view the FIFA headquarters from outside. Public entry is not possible.

Opening Hours of FIFA headquarters

As FIFA headquarters can be viewed only from the outside, there are no particular opening hours for the public.

Attractions Near FIFA headquarters

Zoo Zürich

Zoo Zürich

0.62km from FIFA headquarters

One of the best zoo in Europe and it has a collection of 2,200 specimens of 300 species by its seventy-fifth year. The zoo is located in the heart of Zurich and is easily accessible from all parts of Switzerland. There are also so many events taking place where all the animals are performing.

Zürichberg

Zürichberg

0.74km from FIFA headquarters

The Zürichberg is a wooded hill rising to 679 m, overlooking Lake Zürich and located immediately to the east of the city of Zürich, Switzerland, between the valleys of the Limmat and the Glatt rivers. Its highest point is about 270 meters above the Limmat and it is part of a chain of hills, such as Käferberg, Adlisberg, Forch, and Pfannenstiel, between the Greifensee/Glattal and Lake Zürich.

Adlisberg

Adlisberg

1.95km from FIFA headquarters

A beautiful wooded mountain which was located in the heart of Zurich. Its highest point is about 200 metres above the Lake Zürich. The mountain range is part of a chain of hills — among them Käferberg, Forch, and Pfannenstiel — between Greifensee and Lake Zürich.

Seilbahn Rigiblick

Seilbahn Rigiblick

2.02km from FIFA headquarters

The Rigiblick funicular is one of two funiculars within the city of Zürich. Seilbahn Rigiblick lies to the north-east of Zürich. It connects the station of Zurichberg Hill to the lower stations in the town, which further connects you to other transport facilities like the tram and trolleybus.

ETH Zürich Hauptgebäude

ETH Zürich Hauptgebäude

2.06km from FIFA headquarters

As of August 2018, 32 Nobel laureates, 4 Fields Medalists, and 1 Turing Award winner have been affiliated with the Institute, including Albert Einstein!

Loorenkopf

Loorenkopf

2.26km from FIFA headquarters

Loorenkopf tower is a 33 m high freestanding wood lattice tower on Adlisberg, north of Witikon in Zürich which was built in 1954. The views from the tower are truly mesmerizing and it gives a wonderful experience of natural beauty.

Discover More Attractions in Zurich, Home of FIFA headquarters

Zurich

Zurich

63 attractions

Most populated area of Switzerland. Zurich is among the world's largest financial centers despite having a relatively small population. Zurich city is home to many financial institutions and banking companies.

Location of FIFA headquarters

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