Following a lengthy selection process, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR) have decided that it will be Basel to host theEurovision Song Contest 2025now in its 69th edition; the city won in the final round by beating Geneva.
For the 6th consecutive year, the choice of host city has not fallen on the capital of the winning country, an event that had never happened before.
The criteria for choosing the city
In choosing the host city, the judges must adhere to several criteria: first, the capacity of the territory to welcome thousands of people from all over the world, including crews, journalists, fans and enthusiasts. Consequently, other important aspects to consider are the size, quality and safety of the local infrastructure and facilities where the event will take place.
But not only that, in fact Basel It is also located in a strategic position, at the crossroads of Europe, and was therefore perfect to represent theEurovision: an event that has always had as its main objective to break down borders and unite different peoples through the power of music.
The Executive Supervisor of theESC, Martin Osterdahlstates:
“The EBU is thrilled that Basel has been chosen as the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The contest was born in Lugano, Switzerland, in 1956, and it is fantastic to bring it back to its birthplace almost 70 years later.”
eurovision song contest: the dates
Tickets will be available in the coming months but the dates are already confirmed: the semi-finals of theESC will be held on Tuesday 13 and Thursday 15 May, while the grand final will be held on Saturday 17 May 2025 at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel.
But that's not all, the EBU, the broadcasting company SRG SSR and the city of Baselhave announced that the show will not only take place on the stage of the main arena, but the music will resound throughout the city, all the way to the banks of the Rhine.
