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The Mittlere Brücke as a playground for football and art

Media Release

Erziehungsdepartement

A giant soccer ball has adorned the Mittlere Brücke since this morning. Another four balls will be added in the coming nights. The temporary art intervention «Bridge Kick» by Klaus Littmann marks a smooth transition from Art Basel to the UEFA Women's Euro 2025.

Art Basel is barely over before the next highlight follows with the UEFA Women's Euro 2025. And the fact that culture and sport go hand in hand in Basel is exemplified by Klaus Littmann's temporary art intervention: a giant football entitled «Bridge Kick» has been emblazoned on the Mittlere Brücke since this morning. Over the coming nights, a further four balls will be installed on the roadway. 

 The diameter of the oversized footballs corresponds to the roadway width of eleven meters. Due to their size, the balls have an impressive effect – both for passers-by on site and from a bird's eye view. The artist says: «With my temporary art interventions, I deliberately want to go where people are out and about. In this way, the public space becomes a projection surface for encounters, dialog and new perspectives.» 

Five balls, five matches

The number of balls refers to the five matches taking place in Basel, including the opening match on July 2 and the final on July 27. Each ball represents a game and is both an eye-catcher and the bearer of a clear message. This is because one of the central elements of  «Bridge Kick» is participation: before each game, the teams involved are invited to sign one of the objects on the bridge. This symbolic gesture is intended as an expression of mutual respect and shared experience beyond the competition. In this way, the entire installation could become a unique testimony to living cohesion – and the bridge itself a lively meeting place for fans and players.

The link between the fan zones 

The fan zones at Barfüsserplatz and Messeplatz will open their doors in around a week's time, on July 1, 2025 at 6 pm. The Mittlere Brücke will not only be a historical landmark, but also the connecting element between the two fan zones. «With this art intervention, we are generating the desired attention for women's football,» Sabine Horvath, the overall project manager of the UEFA Women's Euro in Basel, is convinced and adds: «Bridge Kick will create unique images of Basel on the ground and from the air that will go around the world.»

More footballs to welcome guests at EuroAirport

The same football motif has been rolling along the baggage carousels at EuroAirport since last week, greeting guests in a playful and creative way. The «Am laufenden Ball» installation was also created by Klaus Littmann and is a living symbol of the anticipation and football fever in Basel, the host city of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025. The installation is also part of EuroAirport's diverse welcome and advertising measures for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 in Basel.

Hints

Image material for «Bridge Kick» is available (Image source: AVIATICFILMS)

About: Klaus Littmann is an internationally active artist, curator and producer from Basel. Known for his large-scale art installations in public spaces, his work constantly challenges social perceptions and opens up new perspectives.

Further information

Sabine Horvath

Overall project manager UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Basel

Klaus Littmann

Artist, curator and producer from Basel

Erziehungsdepartement

Karte von Basel-Stadt
Zur Karte von MapBS. Externer Link, wird in einem neuen Tab oder Fenster geöffnet
Leimenstrasse 1
4001 Basel

Öffnungszeiten

Montag - Freitag
08.00 - 12.00 Uhr / 13.30 - 17.00 Uhr