After several months of bidding process, which culminated in a shortlist of two cities, Basel earned the right to host Eurovision 2025, beating Geneva in the process. For the second year in a row, the contest will take place in a “border” city, this time just next to the French border.
The competition will be held on May 13th, 15th and 17th 2025.
St. Jakobshalle to host the competition
Despite the doubts cast at the bid, St. Jakobshalle will be the venue for next year Eurovision Song Contest. Such doubts arise because the ceiling of the concert hall is only 17.65m high, below the 18m requirement for Eurovision venues.
St. Jakobshall has a capacity of 12,400 (standing) and has already hosted large events such as the World Ice Hockey Championship and the UEFA Euro in 2008. It is part of a larger sports and events complex which include the largest football stadium in Switzerland, as well as a swimming pool, an ice hockey arena, and other such facilities.
The complex is actually not located in Basel proper but in the commune of Münchenstein, in the Basel-Landschaft canton. Spectators and press will be able to access it through public transportations.
Basel, a frontier city
Basel is the third-largest city in Switzerland, and is located next to the French and German borders. It shares its airport with the French city of Mulhouse, in Alsace, the only “bi-national” airport in the world. Just like last year, fans may be able to stay either in the hosting city or in the country next to it, which could help with the prices of accomodation.
Of all the cities that could host Eurovision, Basel may also have been the one with the least risk of a referendum. Indeed, the youth movement of the far-right “Centre Democratic Union” branch in Geneva threatened to collect signatures to organize a referendum against the public funding of the contest, should it be hosted in Geneva. Similar moves by the CDU party and others were threatened or started to take place around the candidacies of Zurich and Bern/Bien. While some of these political actors also mentionned Basel in their opposition, very little has been said publicly on the Basel candidacy alone, compared to Geneva’s.
Basel-Stadt canton president Condradin Cramer commented on the city and canton’s bid victory :
‘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!’
Third time hosting for Switzerland
Switzerland will host the contest for the third time, after 1989 (in Lausanne) and the first edition in 1956 (in Lugano). This is all thanks to Nemo’s victory this year in Malmö, with the song “The Code”.
Martin Österdahl, Executive superviser of the contest, commented on the decision in these words:
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.
