Plan your visit to FC Thun vs Víkingur Reykjavík in Europa League qualifying on 6 August 2026 at VISANA STADION in Thun. Arrange your ticket purchase in advance, check the entry rules and arrive early for security screening and possible queues before kick-off
The first act of the tie leading toward the league phase
FC Thun and Víkingur Reykjavík meet on 6 August 2026 at 20:00 in Thun, in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the Europa League. The return leg is scheduled for 13 August in Reykjavík, so the result in Switzerland will determine how much room both teams will have for calculation in the second match.
The hosts enter the tie as the reigning Swiss champions, while Víkingur Reykjavík are the leading team in the Icelandic championship. Both clubs arrive in this round after narrow eliminations from the qualifiers for a higher-ranking European competition. FC Thun drew 1:1 at home against Dinamo Zagreb and then lost the return leg 3:2 after extra time. Víkingur defeated Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2:1 at home, but lost the return leg 2:0 and were eliminated 3:2 on aggregate.
That gives the tie additional importance. These are not teams that are only entering their competitive rhythm, but sides that already have several demanding European matches behind them. Tickets for this match are in demand among supporters, and the first game in Thun could strongly shape the entire tie.
What is at stake for FC Thun and Víkingur Reykjavík
The winner of the two-legged tie advances to the Europa League play-offs and remains one step away from the league phase of the competition. The losing team continues its European season in the Conference League play-offs. Therefore, neither club approaches this match as a game without a second chance, but an advantage from the first leg could be extremely important.
FC Thun have home advantage in the first match and must find a balance between attacking pressure and controlling the space behind their defence. Víkingur have shown in the Icelandic championship that they can punish opponents with a large number of goals, while their four European appearances have already confirmed that they can handle closely contested two-legged ties.
For the hosts, it is particularly important to avoid the scenario from the tie against Dinamo, in which they missed out on qualification only in extra time after two evenly contested matches. Víkingur will try to repeat the discipline shown in the first match against Hapoel Be'er Sheva, while also avoiding the drop in performance that cost them their advantage in the return leg.
FC Thun play intense and attacking football under their new coach
Gian-Luca Privitelli took charge of FC Thun ahead of the 2026/27 season. The club presented him as a coach focused on developing younger players, intense football and attacking play. His team have shown at the start of the season that they can respond after conceding a goal and change the rhythm of a match.
In the first league round, FC Thun defeated FC Luzern 3:1 away from home. The hosts took the lead in the second minute, but Nico Maier quickly equalised. Marc Gutbub completed the turnaround at the beginning of the second half, and Nicolas Bürgy finished the match with a headed goal following a precise free kick from Lucien Dähler.
That match provides several useful indications for the tie against Víkingur Reykjavík. Thun can attack after winning possession, have players who make runs from deeper positions and can create danger from set pieces. Dähler's free-kick delivery and Bürgy's finish against Luzern showed how important set pieces can be when an opponent closes the central areas.
FC Thun's competitive matches so far in the new season:
- FC Thun - Dinamo Zagreb 1:1
- FC Luzern - FC Thun 1:3
- Dinamo Zagreb - FC Thun 3:2 after extra time
Privitelli has several attacking options. Brighton Labeau has already scored against Dinamo, Marc Gutbub was on target in Luzern, while Furkan Dursun and Christopher Ibayi provide different possibilities in the final third. In midfield, Valmir Matoshi, Nico Maier, Nassim Zoukit and Nils Reichmuth can take on different roles, from the first progression of the ball to runs toward the penalty area.
The defence will have to pay particular attention to the moments after losing possession. Víkingur have enough experience to find their most dangerous players quickly, while Thun showed against Dinamo that European ties punish even brief periods of weaker control.
Víkingur Reykjavík arrive as convincing leaders of the Icelandic championship
Víkingur Reykjavík hold first place in their domestic league with 14 wins, one draw and one defeat. In those 16 matches, they have scored 54 goals and conceded 12. Such a record shows that Sölvi Geir Ottesen's team do not depend on only one type of match: they can dominate against a deep-lying opponent, but can also decide a contest through individual quality.
The greatest threat comes from the centre of the attack. Elías Már Ómarsson has scored 12 goals in 14 league appearances. Óskar Borgþórsson has added nine goals in 15 matches, while Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson has scored seven in 14 appearances. Valdimar Þór Ingimundarson and Helgi Guðjónsson have also scored five goals each.
Key figures for the Icelandic leaders:
- first place in the domestic championship
- 14 wins, one draw and one defeat
- 54 goals scored and 12 conceded
- Elías Már Ómarsson: 12 goals in 14 appearances
- Óskar Borgþórsson: nine goals in 15 appearances
- Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson: seven goals in 14 appearances
Víkingur opened their European season with a 1:0 victory against Győri ETO, then drew 2:2 away from home and progressed 3:2 on aggregate. In the following round, they defeated Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2:1 at home, but lost the return leg 2:0. Those four matches gave the Icelandic side experience of playing under pressure from the scoreline, but also revealed a difference between their home and away performances.
Sölvi Geir Ottesen has a team with a strongly defined experienced core. Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson can slow down or accelerate an attack, take responsibility for set pieces and find the final pass. Elías Már Ómarsson searches for space in the penalty area, while Óskar Borgþórsson and Valdimar Þór Ingimundarson provide additional depth. Oliver Ekroth and Gunnar Vatnhamar are important in defence, while Aron Snær Friðriksson is one of the options in goal.
Tactical contest: home pressure against Icelandic efficiency
FC Thun will probably try to raise the tempo from the start in front of their supporters. Privitelli's concept of intense and attacking football works best when the team win second balls and quickly regain possession. At the same time, the hosts must ensure that their wide players do not remain too high when Víkingur win the ball.
The Icelandic side have enough quality to launch direct attacks toward Elías Már Ómarsson, but also to build more patiently through Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson. If Thun narrow their defence too much, Víkingur can look for space on the flanks. If the hosts leave too much distance between their lines, Sigurðsson will gain an area from which he can choose between a final pass and a shot.
Set pieces could be one of the central weapons for both sides. Thun have already scored following a free kick, while Víkingur have set-piece takers and powerful aerial players in their squad.
The question of tempo is also important. FC Thun are entering a period of a congested schedule, while Víkingur play domestic league matches between their European fixtures. The coaches must therefore manage playing time without losing competitive sharpness. A complete confirmed list of absentees for this match is not available, so final assessments of the line-ups should be linked to club announcements immediately before the game.
Stockhorn Arena is now called VISANA STADION
The match will be played at Weststrasse 12 in Thun. The stadium previously listed as Stockhorn Arena has carried the name VISANA STADION since May 2026. It opened in 2011, is the home of FC Thun and has a capacity of 10,000 spectators. The compact stands are positioned close to the pitch, so the crowd's reaction is quickly transferred to the game.
The playing surface is also important for the visiting team. The stadium has an artificial pitch, which can affect the speed of the ball and the nature of challenges. Víkingur are accustomed to Northern European conditions and should not be surprised by this type of surface, but the hosts train in familiar surroundings every day and know the bounce of the ball better.
For their previous home league match against BSC Young Boys, FC Thun announced that the stadium was sold out. This confirms the strong public interest at the beginning of the season. A European evening against the Icelandic leaders brings a different profile of opponent, but the same feeling that every action is remembered in a short two-legged tie. Places in the stands are disappearing quickly, so it is worth securing tickets in good time.
Tickets, stadium opening and entry rules
Public sale of individual tickets for the FC Thun - Víkingur Reykjavík match begins on 1 August at 18:30 local time. The club has announced a limit of no more than four tickets per person or user account.
For home matches, the stadium opens 90 minutes before kick-off, which would mean the entrances open at around 18:30 for a match starting at 20:00. The helpdesk is available two hours before the game. Arriving early is recommended because of ticket checks, bag inspections and possible crowds before kick-off.
The following should be taken into consideration before departure:
- larger bags, backpacks, suitcases and other bulky items are not permitted
- bags with a maximum size of 25 x 25 x 25 centimetres are permitted
- bottles, cans, umbrellas and items that can be thrown may not be brought inside
- entry is through the sector stated on the ticket
- it is advisable to arrive sufficiently early because of the security check
How to reach the stadium
The stadium is located on the south-western edge of Thun, directly next to the Thun Süd motorway exit. For visitors arriving by train, the simplest connection is by bus from the city centre. Bus line 3 stops at the "Arena Thun" stop, directly in front of the stadium.
The club states that a ticket for a home match is also valid for a return journey on public transport in Libero zones 700 and 701, from three hours before until three hours after the match. This reduces the need to arrive by car and is particularly practical after the end of an evening game.
Practical travel options:
- train to Thun main railway station, followed by bus line 3
- get off at the "Arena Thun" stop in front of the stadium
- by car via the Thun Süd exit
- parking at the Panorama Center, with a limited number of spaces
- arrival by bicycle, with racks distributed around the stadium
The number of parking spaces is limited, so the club recommends arriving early or using public transport. Visitors who nevertheless arrive by car should allow enough time to enter the stadium area and leave after the match.
Thun as a destination for visiting supporters
Thun is a city on the shore of Lake Thun and one of the main transport hubs of the Bernese Oberland. It has good rail connections with Bern and other Swiss cities, while the stadium is located several kilometres from the city centre.
What supporters can expect on the pitch and in the stands
FC Thun will try to turn their home energy into an advantage before the return leg. An early goal would allow them to control the rhythm, but opening the game too early could leave space for Víkingur's attackers. The Icelandic side are unlikely to have a problem with longer periods without the ball if they remain compact and retain the possibility of breaking forward quickly.
It is worth securing tickets in good time and arriving at the stadium before the main crowds begin to form. The first leg in Thun brings a direct clash between the Swiss champions and the convincing leaders of the Icelandic championship, featuring attackers who have already shown that they can decide a match from a small amount of space.
Sources:
- FC Thun - tie schedule, ticket sales, coach and squad, reports against Dinamo Zagreb and FC Luzern, and stadium visitor rules.
- Knattspyrnusamband Íslands - Víkingur's position in the Icelandic championship and players' appearance and goal statistics.
- Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur - current first-team playing squad and coaching staff.
- ESPN - results of the European qualifying matches involving FC Thun and Víkingur Reykjavík.
- Visana and FC Thun - stadium name change, capacity and basic venue information.
- Supplied editorial instructions - specified event, format and mandatory article structure.