There is talk of permanently expanding the St. Jakob Park to a capacity of 41,500. Basel is trying to "steal" the 2008 quarter and semifinal matches from Bern. At least one Swiss stadium will need to have a capacity of 40,000, in order to host the opening game as well as the aformentioned quarterfinals and one semifinal. The plan so far was to give the new Wankdorf in Bern a temporary capacity of 40,000 (otherwise 32,000) during the 2008 finals. Basel on the other hand would keep the capacity permanently.
Would they add a third level? I guess in the current marketplace, Basel could fill a 41k seat stadium, but I like the idea of Bern hosting those games. I know it will be a new stadium, but there is a tradition of big international games in Bern.
The competition to have the national stadium continues. A permanent capacity of 42,000 has now been proposed by Bern. That's 500 more than the expanded St. Jakob Park. I personally think that the national stadium should be in the capital, that and I don't like Basel
The national stadium should be in the capital if at all possible. Bern is centrally located. Basel, while a great city should not host the semifinals.