As in 2012, the St Jakobshalle will stage the matches for the annual showpiece event in men's curling.

It is due to take place from April 2 until 10, with the venue holding 9,000 spectators.

The World Curling Federation (WCF), which made the announcement today, said "significant interest" was generated by the city's staging of the tournament in 2012.

More than 45,000 people attended matches over the nine days, and its own analysis found 25 million people across Canada, Europe and China watched TV coverage of the event.

Basel also hosted the 2006 Le Gruyère European Curling Championships.

"We are delighted to be returning to Switzerland and the city of Basel for the World Men's Curling Championship in 2016," said WCF President Kate Caithness.

"Basel has proven time and time again that it can put on a first class curling event and we look forward to seeing them showcase our sport to the world once again in 2016."

Beijing in China and Halifax in Canada will host the next two World Men's Curling Championships before it returns to Basel in 2016 ©AFP/Getty Images



Switzerland, who failed to get out of the group stage at this month's Winter Olympics in Sochi, will be given an automatic qualification spot for the 2016 World Championships as hosts.

The winners and runners-up from the Pacific-Asia Curling Championship, the top two teams from the Americas Zone and the seven top placed teams from the European Curling Championship in 2015 will also qualify to play in this Championship.

All the teams that qualify for this Championship will also be eligible to compete in the WCF's Olympic Qualification Event in 2017.

That event gives competing teams the chance to qualify for the last two places in both the men's and women's curling competitions at Pyeongchang 2018.

Bruno Schallberger, President of the Local oOrganising cCommittee for the event, said: "I am very proud to welcome the world curling family for the third time to Basel and to Switzerland.

"We will work very hard to make the World Men's Curling Championship in 2016 an unforgettable event for the competitors as well as for the spectators and we look forward to seeing you all in Basel in two years time."

This year's annual Championship is being staged in China for the first time, with matches in Beijing due t take place from March 29 to April 6.

Sweden are the defending champions after beating Canada in Victoria last year.

Recently crowned Olympic champions Canada will also host the 2015 tournament, this time in Halifax.