2025/26 Swiss Promotion Playoff Format Confirmed with Home Advantage for Challenge League Team

The Swiss Football League (SFL) has confirmed the format for the promotion playoff between the Brack Super League and the dieci Challenge League at the end of the 2025/26 season. The second-placed team in the dieci Challenge League will host the first leg of the playoff against the eleventh-placed team in the Brack Super League, with the winner earning a spot in the top division for the 2026/27 season.

Playoff Structure and Dates

The two-legged playoff will determine the final team to compete in the Brack Super League for the 2026/27 season. The draw, conducted on Friday evening by former Lausanne-Sport defender Jérémy Manière following a dieci Challenge League match between FC Aarau and FC Vaduz, established the home-and-away format.

According to the SFL schedule, the two playoff matches will take place between May 20th and May 31st. The exact dates are contingent on whether a team participating in the Barrage also reaches the final of the Swiss Cup on May 24th.

Jérémy Manière’s Role

Jérémy Manière, a retired Swiss footballer who played for clubs including Lausanne-Sport and Thun, conducted the draw for the playoff matchups. Manière announced his retirement in March 2020 due to concerns about long-term knee health, fearing the impact on his ability to enjoy an active life after football. Source

Brack Super League and dieci Challenge League Updates

The 2025/26 season will mark the debut of the Brack Super League, the fresh name for the top tier of Swiss football, following a sponsorship agreement with online retailer Brack.ch. Source The league will continue to utilize the format of 38 matchdays, with a split into a Championship Group and a Relegation Group after 33 rounds.

The first TV-live game of the dieci Challenge League will be played on Sunday, with the season kicking off on Friday, July 25, 2025, featuring matches between FC Rapperswil-Jona and Etoile Carouge FC, and Neuchâtel Xamax FCS against FC Stade Nyonnais. Source