ESAF 2025 Glarnerland
The largest festival of Swiss wrestling and Alpine culture will take place in Mollis from 29 to 31 August 2025.
The Eidgenössisches Schwing- und Älplerfest (ESAF) 2025, also known as ESAF Glarnerland+, will take place from August 29 to 31, 2025, on the airfield in Mollis, Canton Glarus, Switzerland. This event, held every three years, is the largest sports and cultural festival in Switzerland, attracting around 350,000 visitors to celebrate the traditional sport of Schwingen, alongside other alpine disciplines like stone throwing (Steinstossen) and Swiss folk traditions. For the first time in its 125-year history, the ESAF will be held in the Glarnerland, transforming the small village of Mollis, with just 3,000 inhabitants, into the vibrant heart of Swiss culture.
What is Schwingen?
Schwingen, often referred to as “Swiss wrestling,” is a traditional sport embodying values of strength, technique, and respect. Two athletes, called Schwinger, face off in a sawdust-covered ring, wearing distinctive Schwinghosen, sturdy linen pants (produced locally in Canton Bern and sewn in the Glarnerland). The goal is to lift the opponent off the ground and pin them with their back to the floor, using specific grips like Lätz, Buur, and Schlungg. Each match, or Gang, lasts a few minutes, with the best athletes competing for the title of Schwingerkönig (King of Schwingen), and the winner receiving a live bull, known as the Siegermuni, as the main prize.
Schwingen is not just a sport but a symbol of Swiss rural culture, uniting farmers, bankers, and young people in a competition that celebrates tradition and community. During ESAF 2025, 270 Schwinger and 100 stone throwers will compete in a spectacular temporary arena with 56,500 seats, the largest of its kind in the world.
The ESAF 2025 event: more than a sports festival
The ESAF is not only a sporting event but a true folk festival combining competition, traditional music, gastronomy, and alpine culture. In Mollis, the 49,000 m² arena will host seven sawdust rings for Schwingen matches, as well as spaces for stone throwing, performances of alpine horns, and folk music. Visitors can enjoy regional specialties, such as 270,000 liters of beer and 450,000 sausages, in a festive atmosphere set against the stunning backdrop of the Glarnerland mountains.
The ESAF 2025 program also includes the Gabentempel, an exhibition of prizes featuring the famous Siegermuni, named ZIBU for the 2025 edition, along with other live animals as rewards for the winners. Additionally, the festival will offer a rich cultural program with concerts, traditional dances, and a camping area for visitors. A massive wooden sculpture, Muni Max, standing 20 meters tall and built by over 500 apprentices, has already become a symbol of the event, drawing attention from media and locals alike.
Cultural and economic importance
The ESAF 2025 represents a unique opportunity for Canton Glarus, known for its low number of tourist overnight stays, to gain visibility and economic benefits. With a budget of 35–40 million Swiss francs, the event requires colossal organization, involving 8,400 volunteers and a fleet of vehicles provided by partners like Suzuki. Infrastructure, such as temporary expansions of the Näfels-Mollis railway station and the exceptional reactivation of the Weesen station, closed since 2013 and reopened specifically for the occasion, along with traffic management measures like the GlarnerlandPass for free public transport, have been planned to handle the influx of approximately 150,000 daily visitors in a canton of just 40,000 inhabitants.
Despite logistical challenges and rising costs, which have led to increased ticket prices (a two-day ticket for a covered seat costs 290 francs), enthusiasm for the ESAF remains high.
Tradition and modernity
The ESAF 2025 Glarnerland+ is not only an occasion to celebrate Swiss traditions but also to look toward the future. Sustainability is a central theme, with the use of locally sourced materials for the Schwinghosen and initiatives to reduce environmental impact, such as soil protection for parking and camping areas.
Conclusion
The ESAF 2025 Glarnerland+ will be much more than a sporting event: it will be a celebration of Swiss culture, a moment of unity for the community, and an opportunity for Canton Glarus to shine on the national stage. With its blend of competition, tradition, and festivity, the ESAF promises to be an unforgettable experience for all participants, who will have the chance to experience the thrill of Schwingen and the unique atmosphere of an alpine festival. For more information, visit the official website esaf2025.ch.
