After Nemo’s victory for Switzerland at the Eurovision 2024 in Malmö, attention quickly turned to which city will play host to Eurovision Song Contest 2025 next May. With numerous cities already trying to stake their claim before bidding has officially opened, the CEO of the Hallenstadion Zurich, has suggested May 10 as the unofficial date for the 2025 Grand Final.
Hallenstadion reports May 10 as possible Eurovision 2025 date
During a recent general meeting of the Hallenstadion, Eurovision was the hot topic of conversation. With Switzerland’s third victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, along comes the responsibility for which Swiss city and venue will be the hometown of Europe’s biggest music competition next May. According to local media reports, CEO of the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Philipp Musshafen and its President Dr. Balz Hösly engaged in deep discussions about Zurich’s potential host city bid and the availability of the Hallenstadion next May. These talks gave a clue as to a likely date for the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final – May 10. This would align with recent contests hosting the contest in the second week of May.
The ESC is the largest music event in the world. 180 million viewers! This would be invaluable advertising for Zurich, but also for the Hallenstadion. We were told to reserve six to eight weeks from around the beginning of April to mid-May 2025. With a possible, still unofficial date for the final on May 10th.
Philipp Musshafen, (CEO Hallenstadion Zurich) talking to Neue Zürcher Zeitung
In reference to the amount of time needed to block book a venue for Eurovision, its stage construction time and rehearsal schedule, the President of Hallenstadion stated that the venue needs an, “absolutely quick decision.” Of course, possible Eurovision venues will already have bookings in place that will need to be cancelled and/or rejected once a city is announced. The longer that decision takes, the more revenue a venue is likely to miss out on while waiting. Currently there are 12 events scheduled to take place at Hallenstadion during the possible time frame required.
Doubts cast on Zurich’s Swiss Life Arena?
Already, we covered Zurich’s potential host city proposal. Since then, more details have emerged that may narrow down which of Zurich’s two main venues could host Eurovision 2025 next May. Despite the Swiss Life Arena’s modern credentials that sees it meet the EBU criteria, the arena currently has a contractual clause that prevents it from holding music events. Hallenstadion holds the exclusivity for concerts and music events. This older venue, also passes the test for the EBU’s requirements with a larger capacity of 13,000 and meeting the 18m minimum ceiling height.
Moreover, the Swiss Life Arena is fully booked during the time period required for Eurovision 2025. As confirmed by Peter Zahner, CEO of ZSC Lions.
We would of course be very happy to welcome the ESC. But we cannot open the hall between mid-April and the end of May.
Peter Zahner, (CEO ZSC Lions)
This is in reference to the ice hockey playoffs that could continue until the end of April. There are also two general meetings scheduled at the venue, as well as the U-19 Floorball World Championships set for May 2025.
Who is in contention to host Eurovision 2025?
So far, numerous Swiss cities have outlined early proposals ahead of the official opening of the bidding process for Eurovision 2025. These are as follows:
What date would you like for the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube for our interviews and reactions ahead of Eurovision 2025.
