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Basel, the Swiss city on the borders of France and Germany, has been selected to host the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in 2025, promising a glitzy celebration connecting people across Europe through music.
The Swiss city of Basel has been chosen to host the 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025, following Switzerland’s victory at this year’s event in Malmö, Sweden. Swiss singer Nemo’s triumph with the personal song The Code earned the country the right to stage next year’s extravaganza, which is guaranteed to draw a huge global audience.
Basel, Switzerland’s third-largest city, beat out Geneva for the honor of hosting Eurovision 2025. The contest will take place at the St. Jakobshalle indoor arena, with semi-finals scheduled for May 13 and 15, and the grand final set for May 17. The venue, which opened in 1976, prides itself on being Switzerland’s premier multi-purpose arena, capable of accommodating over 12,000 spectators.
Eurovision executive supervisor Martin Osterdahl praised Basel’s strategic location, stating, “Basel’s position at the crossroads of Europe makes it the ideal setting for an event that celebrates the power of music to connect people across borders.” The city’s selection marks the first time the German-speaking region of Switzerland will host the contest, following previous editions in the Italian-speaking city of Lugano in 1956 and the French-speaking city of Lausanne in 1989.
Over the years, Eurovision has evolved from its humble black-and-white beginnings in the 1950s into a colorful, kitsch celebration that never takes itself too seriously. The contest puts host cities in the spotlight, with this year’s event in Malmö drawing 163 million viewers worldwide. Hosting the event also provides a significant boost to the local hotel and tourism industries, as Eurovision fans, artists, and country delegations pour into the city.
For those unable to secure tickets to the main event at St. Jakobshalle, the nearby 40,000-capacity St. Jakob-Park football stadium will offer a unique viewing experience. Fans can gather to watch the final on a giant screen and enjoy performances by former Eurovision stars. The city’s Steinenvorstadt district, known for its bars and cinemas, will be transformed into “Eurovision Street,” adding to the festive atmosphere.
Conradin Cramer, president of the Basel city authority, expressed the city’s excitement, stating, “It is a great honor for Basel to be able to host the world’s biggest live music event!” Basel, situated on the River Rhine, is an international hub for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, with Novartis and Roche headquartered there. The city also boasts a rich cultural side, with several internationally-renowned museums and the annual Art Basel event, the world’s top contemporary art fair.
The decision to award Basel the hosting rights was made by the host broadcaster SRG and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), taking into account factors such as venue suitability, public transport links, sustainability, hotel accommodation, security, investment, event experience, and city support. Four Swiss cities initially expressed interest, but only Basel and Geneva remained in the running by mid-July.
Hosting Eurovision comes with financial demands, and some Swiss voters have expressed concerns about the potential costs and hassle of bringing the event to their city. However, Eurovision is a non-profit event, primarily financed by contributions from participating EBU broadcasters. The Basel-City authority is considering a contribution of 34.9 million Swiss francs ($41.5 million), subject to approval by the city assembly on September 11.
As Basel prepares to welcome the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025, the city eagerly anticipates the opportunity to showcase its unique blend of cultural diversity, international flair, and musical celebration. With its strategic location and commitment to hosting an unforgettable event, Basel is poised to make Eurovision 2025 a resounding success, connecting people across Europe through the power of music.
With AFP
