With its local ice hockey team on the verge of winning its first-ever Swiss national championship, officials in Lausanne have confirmed that people across the city will be able to party through the night if their team emerges victorious.
April 30 is set to be a big day for Lausanne HC, with the team on the verge of winning its first national title since the club's founding in 1922, if they beat ZSC Lions in the final playoff match. Luckily for fans of LHC, in a statement released on Monday, the local council announced that if Lausanne wins, all bars and restaurants in the city can remain open throughout the whole night of April 30 to May 1, instead of closing around midnight as usual.
Any bar or restaurant can remain open if they choose to, entirely for free, meaning that if their team takes the title the party will continue deep into the early hours of the morning.
It’s safe to say that the 2023 / 24 National League ice hockey season has been one of great success for Lausanne HC. After coming 11th out of 14 last year, the Lions of Vaud placed third in the league. In the play-offs - which determine the National League champions - Lausanne defeated HC Davos and Fribourg on their way to the grand final, where they face ZSC Lions.
Played in a best-of-seven format, currently, both Lausanne and Zurich have won three games. This means that all eyes are on the final game, due to be held at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich Altstetten at 8pm on April 30, as whoever wins the match will win the title.
Back in Zurich, security department head Karin Rykart wrote that when ZSC Lions win the title - the statement was quite clear on when, not if - the interior of all restaurants and bars in the city will be able to remain open all night. However, outdoor areas and cafes on major streets must shut as normal.
What’s more, measures are in place so that as many Lions fans as possible can see the match. As all tickets at the Swiss Life Arena are now sold, ZSC Lions will broadcast the match on a large screen outside the stadium, alongside providing more food and beverage stands for nervous fans. Then, if ZSC does win, the stadium will be open to the public.