The host city of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will be Basel! It will host in the St. Jakobshalle arena, and the dates are: 13, 15 and 17 May 2025. The city was selected by Host Broadcaster SRG SSR and by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR and the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) have just revealed that the 69th edition of Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Basel, Switzerland. The contest will take place in St. Jakobshalle.
And the dates of the contest are:
- Semi-final 1: 13 May 2025
- Semi-final 2: 15 May 2025
- Grand Final: 17 May 2025
Three and a half months after Nemo’s victory for Switzerland in the Swedish city of Malmö on 11 May 2024, the Eurovision Song Contest has found its next home in Switzerland: Basel will host the world’s largest music event as the so-called «Host City» and prevailed in the final sprint against Geneva. After submitting outstanding bids, the two cities were in a neck-to-neck race.
Refinement of the bid books
In the last few weeks since the shortlist was announced on 19 July, the cities Basel and Geneva that made it to the next round have had the opportunity to refine their bid books and provide additional information. The ESC core team visited both cities again, inspected the main and side event venues and assessed them according to an extensive criteria catalogue. The audit and consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) acted as an independent party in both the preparation of these evaluation specifications and the assessment itself, thereby ensuring transparency, objectivity and traceability.
The best bid for the Eurovision 2025
The aim of this second round was to further assess the two best bids based on the additional information and new findings and to determine the most attractive overall bid for the Eurovision 2025 in Switzerland. For example, the suitability of the hall for the show-specific requirements, the creative ideas for the side events, the funds made available, the cultural programme as well as sustainability and safety concepts were all evaluated. The potential risks during the preparation and realisation were weighed up and expectations regarding added value in Switzerland were defined for the two border cities of Basel and Geneva. Close to 100 criteria were checked in total.
Reto Peritz and Moritz Stadler, the co-executive producers of the ESC said
«We were impressed by the quality of the cities’ applications! All four cities, and especially Basel and Geneva in the final round, fought for the title of Host City by submitting creative ideas and following a very constructive approach. Because such commitment is not taken for granted, we would like to thank all the cities that applied. And congratulations to Basel! We look forward to working with you to make the ESC an unforgettable experience for everyone.»
Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest said:
“The EBU is thrilled that Basel has been selected as the Host City for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The Contest was born in Switzerland in Lugano back in 1956 and it’s great to be bringing it back to its birthplace almost 70 years later.”
“Basel’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe makes it the ideal setting for an event that celebrates the power of music to connect people across borders.
“With its unique blend of tradition and innovation, Basel reflects the spirit of the Eurovision Song Contest. The city’s exceptional St. Jakobshalle venue and outstanding hospitality will ensure a memorable experience for delegations, artists and fans alike.
“Following Contests in the Italian and French speaking parts of the country in 1956 and 1989 we’re also excited to bring the Eurovision Song Contest to German Switzerland for the very first time.
Together with Host Broadcaster SRG SSR and the city of Basel we will create a spectacular celebration of music on the banks of the River Rhine that resonates far beyond the stage.”
It will be the third time the contest will be held in Switzerland. The country also hosted Eurovision in 1956 and 1989:
- 1956: Lugano (Teatro Kursaal)
- 1989: Lausanne (Palais de Beaulieu)
- 2025: Basel (St. Jakobshalle)
Source: SRG Press release
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