Donnschtig-Jass is a programme that has been running for over 40 years and is broadcast on Swiss-German television SRF. Around 500,000 viewers watch the programme, which is broadcast live every Thursday in July and August, making it the 3rd most-watched programme on SRF after the news and weather.
The programme is shot outdoors in a different location each time. The production team numbers more than 50 people and travels with 45 tonnes of equipment in a dozen lorries.
Two communities compete against each other in jass during the show, which is also punctuated by reports and concerts. The following Thursday's show takes place in the commune of the winning team. The programme is hosted by Rainer Maria Salzgeber from the Upper Valais, star presenter of the German-language channel.
The game
Each municipality is represented by 4 players, including at least one woman and one young person under the age of 18 (plus one reserve player). There are 5 rounds and the game is played on points, which means that each person plays individually and, once the cards have been dealt, must announce the number of points they think they will score with their game. The trump card is drawn at random. The winning team is the one that has, at the end, the smallest difference between the points announced and the points scored. Three rounds are played with French cards and two rounds with German cards.
How to participate?
A qualifying tournament is being organised in each commune to select 5 players (3 will be live on television, 1 is playing by telephone and 1 is in reserve). There are just two conditions for taking part: you must live in the communes of Sierre, Salgesch, Noble-Contrée or Chippis, and you must be available and motivated to take part in the show on 10 July 2025.
Save the dates
Thursday 17 April 2025, 6.30pm, training tournament (same format as the qualifying tournament, optional participation)
Thursday 8 May 2025, 6.30pm, qualifying tournament
Thursday 10 July 2025, broadcast in St. Gallen, where Sierre and Crans-Montana will face off (compulsory for the 5 qualifiers only, others can join the trip as supporters)
Thursday 17 July 2025, broadcast from Sierre or Crans-Montana (optional for players)
Thursday 14 August 2025, broadcast in the canton of Basel-Landschaft between the two ‘lucky losers’ (if Sierre lost to Crans-Montana but is one of the season's two best losers on points, you must return to play that night to win the right to host the 1st broadcast of 2026 in Sierre).
