Volunteering at UEFA Women’s EURO 2025

More than 12,800 applications were received and around 4,100 interviews were conducted, with 2,500 volunteers from 73 nations helping at UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 in Switzerland . Without volunteers, such a major event would simply not be possible.

When Europe’s best female footballers compete in sold-out stadiums, it’s easy to forget how much work goes into such a tournament. While the players give their all on the pitch, many helping hands are needed behind the scenes.

What does it mean to be a volunteer?

It means handling the jobs that no one else does. Voluntarily, during your leisure time.

Among the volunteers: AXA employees Zoe, Cigdem and Urs.

Zoe Stauffiger, 26: “The players fought hard to be on the pitch today. I also wanted to make a contribution.”

Cigdem Hüryasar, 33: “I volunteered at the Men’s EURO in Berlin last year. When it became clear that the Women’s European Championship would be held in my home country and that AXA would even be a sponsor, there was no question that I would help.”

Urs Wildi, 64: “I had heard from friends how fulfilling volunteering can be. I wanted to experience it for myself.”

The prerequisites for participation were clearly defined: You had to be at least 18 years old, be ready to spend time on all match days at your chosen location and be available for training. Language skills, especially in English and the local language, were a big plus.

Locations & Tasks – in the middle of the action

In total, the volunteers worked in 17 different areas. From accreditation, media services, fan zones and ceremonies to ticketing, guest services, sustainability and spectator hospitality.

Zoe managed the Instagram channel of the Fan Zone Basel. She filmed, edited, posted and captured the enthusiasm of the fans. Her highlight: “The Fan Parade in Basel. I witnessed this on the streets and documented it live. The atmosphere was simply incredible.”

Cigdem worked at the VIP Guest Service at Letzigrund in Zurich: Welcoming guests, looking after them, making small talk and finding seats.

Urs was at the entrance to ticketing and provided fans with advice and technical support. His highlight: “A fan bought a ticket via a sales platform shortly before kick-off and couldn’t find it. I helped him install the UEFA Tickets app and set up the account. And lo and behold: The ticket arrived. With a slight delay, he walked through the turnstile radiantly.”

What stuck with you?

The mood

Zoe: “The euphoria was no less than that of the Men’s European Championship.”

Cigdem: “Sold out stadiums, happy fans – sheer enthusiasm.”

Urs: “Anticipation everywhere. And it was a great relief when everything went smoothly.”

The surprises

Cigdem: “That I was able to welcome Prince William as a guest in the group phase. I also met a fellow volunteer who was 71 years old – great!”

Zoe: “How many people were really excited about it. That overwhelmed me.”

Urs: “The effort going on behind the scenes. Security, catering, planning – it’s one huge machine.”

The highlights

Cigdem: “I was very touched by the fact that many VIP guests from UEFA and the country delegations recognized me from my previous volunteering at the European Championship in Berlin a year later. The enthusiastic crowd and the great atmosphere in the stadium were the biggest highlights for me!”

Zoe: “The encounters in the city – real, spontaneous fan moments.”

Urs: “The gratitude of the spectators. That does something to you.”

More than just a logo on a shirt

AXA was the sole partner in the volunteer program at UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.

Sandro Singer, Head of Sponsorship Project for Women’s Football: “There are so-called sole rights and exclusives at such major events. Rights that only a sponsor may use commercially. With the volunteers, this was AXA’s role. Although we didn’t play an operational role, we created a lot of visibility through our channels and put out calls for applications.”

Why this commitment? Sandro Singer: “It fits in with our long-standing commitment to social responsibility. Volunteers are the backbone of an event, they are the business card, host and the heart of it. And we’re proud that they’re wearing our logo.”

The volunteer program was organized by UEFA (for stadium volunteers) and the eight host cities (for city volunteers). The training consisted of a digital kick-off event with all the important information and subsequent on-site training tailored to the specific area of application.

The volunteers received, among other things, clothing from adidas, an AXA-sponsored water bottle from SIGG and a farewell gift.

In the end: Volunteering that makes an impact

Without volunteers, such a huge event would not be possible. Zoe, Cigdem, Urs and the other 2,500 volunteers contributed their time, energy and dedication to making this tournament as impressive and vibrant as it was.

AXA is proud to have made this commitment possible – and proud of all the volunteers who contributed. Many thanks.