Slovenia moves Switzerland Nations League fixture to Maribor due to pitch concerns

The Slovenian national football team will play its final home match of the current Nations League campaign in Maribor rather than the capital. The Football Association of Slovenia confirmed that the fixture against Switzerland will take place at Ljudski vrt on Friday, 13 November 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 20:45. This relocation marks a significant change for what was originally planned as a key encounter in Ljubljana.

Officials cited the deteriorating condition of the playing surface at Stožice stadium as the primary reason for the move. Representatives from the City Municipality of Ljubljana, the public institution Šport Ljubljana and the Football Association of Slovenia reached a joint decision following assessments of the ground. They concluded that the damaged and overburdened pitch could not provide optimal conditions for such an important match, despite immediate maintenance efforts.

The timeline for recovery proved insufficient given the stadium's schedule. Stožice is set to host three additional league matches before the international break, leaving the grass surface without adequate time to regenerate before the Swiss visit. The association emphasized its desire to ensure the best possible environment for the players as they aim to secure a favorable group position. A strong finish could improve their seeding ahead of the draw for the 2028 European Championship qualifiers.

Long-term solutions for the venue in Ljubljana are planned for the spring. Authorities intend to replace the top layer of the grass surface along with sand during the off-season to address recurring issues. Until then, ongoing maintenance work will continue to manage the state of the pitch. For the immediate future, however, the focus has shifted entirely to ensuring a high-quality stage in Maribor.

Ticketing arrangements have been adjusted to accommodate the venue change. Fans who purchased tickets online through Eventim will automatically receive replacement tickets in the same category by 2 November 2026. Those who bought physical tickets at Petrol sales points have two options for exchange. They may visit the physical box office in Maribor on the day of the match or arrange an exchange via email no later than 9 November 2026.