Basel will host Eurovision Song Contest 2025

After a competitive selection process that saw a number of potential Host Cities narrow down to Basel and Geneva, Switzerland's third-most-populous city won out, and will host the 69th Eurovision Song Contest.

The bid process examined facilities at the venue, local infrastructure and the ability to accommodate thousands of visiting delegations, crew, fans and journalists from around the world, amongst other criteria.

• Dates: Grand Final on Saturday 17 May with Semi-Finals on Tuesday 13 and Thursday 15 May
• Basel chosen as Host City and it’s the first time the Eurovision Song Contest hasn’t been hosted by a capital city for 6 consecutive Contests
• Tickets to go on sale later in the year

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.'

Conradin Cramer, President of the Government of Basel said:

'It is a great honour for Basel to be able to host the world's biggest live music event! We are looking forward to this fantastic opportunity to present Basel to the world as a cosmopolitan city of culture in the heart of Europe. As an open city in the border triangle of Germany, France and Switzerland, we overcome borders of all kinds every day. This fits in perfectly with the Eurovision Song Contest. We are already looking forward to welcoming our guests from all over Europe: welcome to Basel!'

Reto Peritz and Moritz Stadler, SRG SSR’s Joint Executive Producers of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, added: 

'We were impressed by the quality of the cities' applications! All 4 cities, and especially Geneva and Basel in the final round, fought for the title of "Host City" with creative approaches and a very constructive approach. Such commitment is by no means a matter of course. Our thanks therefore go to all the cities that applied. We look forward to working with you to make the ESC an unforgettable experience for the whole population.'

Switzerland: Birthplace of the Eurovision Song Contest

Switzerland hosted and won the first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Lugano, back in 1956. It remains the only Contest where competitors were invited to perform two songs instead of one.

Lys Assia triumphed with the French language song Refrain but it is unknown how her second song, the German language Das alte Karussell, performed with jurors as the points were never revealed.

A second Swiss win happened in Dublin 1988 when a relatively unknown Canadian took the crown in a nail-biting voting sequence; Céline Dion pipped the United Kingdom’s Scott Fitzgerald to victory by a single point with her ballad Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.

It would take another 36 years for the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR) to find their third champion; Nemo won Malmö 2024 with their song The Code, which tells the story of coming to terms with their non-binary identity.

You can listen to all 37 songs of Eurovision 2024 via your favourite streaming service or watch the music videos on our YouTube channel.

Don't forget to download our app (for iOS / Android), sign up to the official Eurovision Song Contest newsletter, and subscribe to the official podcast!