New management accompanies establishment of multifunctional arena
Markus Mettler takes over as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pilatus Arena AG. Mettler also chairs the Board of Directors of Halter AG, which developed the arena in Kriens, opened in October 2025, and remains the majority shareholder.
According to a press release, since its opening in October 2025, the Pilatus Arena in the Mattenhof district of Kriens has already established itself as an efficient, multifunctional platform for indoor sports and events. At the end of the financial year, the two project initiators, Toni Bucher and Nick Christen, stepped down from their positions on the Board of Directors. Markus Mettler, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Schlieremer Halter AG and Pilatus Arena Sports & Events AG, replaced Bucher as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pilatus Arena AG. Construction of the Pilatus Tower, located next to the arena, is also scheduled for completion in autumn 2026.
“We would like to thank Toni Bucher and Nick Christen for their tremendous commitment to sport and Pilatus Arena AG,” Markus Mettler is quoted as saying in the announcement. “Both have been instrumental in driving the project forward since 2007.” The arena was developed and built by Halter and has been operated by Pilatus Arena Sports & Events AG since its opening. Halter AG is also the majority shareholder in Pilatus Arena AG, with a 70 per cent stake.
Several sporting events have already taken place in the new arena in 2025. Highlights included the Swiss national handball team’s first international match, Swiss Central Basketball games in the National League B and the Final4 Mobiliar Handball Cup for men.
“The anticipation for the first Final4 Cup in the new PILATUS ARENA was huge – and it was fulfilled in every respect,” said Andreas Campi, President of the Final4 Organising Committee. “The atmosphere was exhilarating, and the format was convincing.”