Kursaal Bern AG: Stable performance in a demanding environment

In 2025, Kursaal Bern AG met expectations despite a challenging environment. Good operating profitability was again reported for the past financial year, even if the pro-rata annual result of CHF 3.7 million was slightly lower than in the previous year (CHF 4.2 million). The positive effects of efficient cost management and effective process optimization are reflected in the still very good EBITDA margin. The equity ratio rose again.

In numbers, 2025 was as follows (changes from the previous year in brackets)
• Sales CHF 74.7 million (-1.9 million)
• EBITDA CHF 12.4 million (-0.7 million)
• Proportionate annual result CHF 3.7 million (-0.5 million)
• Equity ratio 70.3% (+ 2.5 percentage points)
• Full-time positions (FTE) 382 (- 15 FTE)

Particular challenges were the closed Kornhausbrücke for the catering industry and the terrestrial casino market. Grand Casino Kursaal Bern AG and Casino Neuchâtel SA experienced a decline in gross gaming revenue. In contrast, the online casino 7melons.ch was able to show encouraging growth.
At the end of 2025, the technology partnership was reassigned to the IDS Group, which includes the companies Kilchenmann AG and auviso AG, among others. In the new business model, Kursaal Bern AG participates in the investments in audio-video technology. Accordingly, new intangible assets amounting to CHF 1.6 million were capitalized at the end of the year.
Digitalization
Guests and customers do not notice any of the numerous digitized processes. The advantages are clear: costs can be reduced while productivity is increased at the same time. But digitalization also entails dangers – cyber attacks, data loss, reputational risks and loss of work – which must be kept in mind.
employees
533 people (382 FTE) from around 45 nations work in the entire group, including the 21 apprentices at the head office. Absence days and costs were reduced by more than 10% at the parent company.
sustainability
In autumn 2025, the Kursaal Bern was again eco-certified by Green Key. The Kursaal Bern continues to offer events and overnight stays with myclimate “Cause We Care” with a voluntary contribution to a climate protection project. The focus of the sustainability commitment remains energy consumption and prevention of food waste. Last year, more than 2.5 tons of perfectly good food were saved from destruction and processed.
Bern Congress Center / Cultural Hall
The goals in the congress center were achieved in 2025 as expected. November was once again the month with the highest sales of the year. In-house events in the newly created Kultursaal Bern met with lively interest from the public.
Swissôtel Kursaal Bern
A highlight of 2025 at the Swissôtel Kursaal Bern was the award as a UEFA host hotel. The Spanish and Belgian teams were guests at the European Women’s Football Championship. The average room price was increased again.
gastronomy
A rainy July and the closure of the Kornhaus Bridge affected business. The changing consumer behavior of guests is becoming increasingly clear. This is countered with numerous non-alcoholic drinks and vegan alternatives.
Grand Casino Kursaal Bern / Online Casino 7melons.ch
The Grand Casino Kursaal Bern was able to increase its annual result. The difficult conditions in the terrestrial casino are offset by a positive development at the online casino 7melons.ch. This is developing positively thanks to consistent cost control, high efficiency and clear strategic direction.
Casino Neuchatel
2025 was another challenging year at Casino Neuchâtel. New slot machine innovations, a new table bonus and an exclusive game were launched to boost business. However, this failed to reverse the negative trend.
outlook
The number of geopolitical conflicts is increasing and the US government is acting less reliably. This offers great risk potential for the international and therefore also for the Swiss economy. While the expert group of economic forecasts had predicted a gradual recovery in the global economy after the reduction in US tariffs on products from Switzerland, this is now questionable again. Developments in the military conflict in Iran pose the risk of continued disruption to global energy and trade flows with rising oil prices. This could lead to a permanently strong franc. Any planning is difficult. It depends, among other things, on the further course of the conflict, but also on developments in the USA.
In the congress center, Kursaal Bern AG will continue to work successfully in the “Congress Hub Bern” with Bern EXPO and Bern Welcome. At the same time, our own events are being expanded with the Bierhübeli Bern in the Bern Cultural Hall.
The outlook in the hotel is currently characterized by uncertainty. Nevertheless, a shift in the countries of origin of guests is more likely than major losses.
In the catering industry, the strategy of combining the tried and tested and popular with new and surprising experiences is being pursued.
In the casino sector, there is still concern that illegal competition in the online sector will continue to grow. There remains hope for better government regulation.
Overall, the long-term strategy of further expanding the market position of the Kursaal Bern Group as the leading Swiss congress, hotel, catering and casino group is being adhered to. Kursaal Bern AG expects moderate growth in the 2026 financial year despite the global political situation.
The Board of Directors proposes to pay a dividend of CHF 22.00 per share for the 2025 financial year, like last year. In doing so, he wants to continue the shareholder-friendly dividend policy promised during the 2021 capital increase and implemented for the first time last year.
On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the 123rd ordinary general meeting of Kursaal Bern AG will take place in the Kursaal Bern. The 2025 annual report of Kursaal Bern AG as a PDF document can be found at kursaal-bern.ch/annual reports.