On August 30th, Basel was officially announced as the host for Eurovision 2025. Following the announcement, the government of Basel-Stadt canton distributed an “Advice Report” to the canton legislature, to ask for a vote on the extra budget required for Eurovision. The Canton expects a net expenditure of 34,964,000 CHF (37,225m€ / £31,336m), but up to 37m in spending.
A report for a vote on September 11th
The report is a 16-pages long document, which gives details on the background of the bid, and on the different expenditures that the Host will have to face. These are only the expenditures faced by the “host city”, in this case the canton of Basel-Stadt. They do not take into account the expenditures of the host broadcaster (SRG), like the costs of the TV production. The report’s details also gave some information on the locations of different Eurovision events.
It was sent to the members of Basel-Stadt’s “Grand Council”, the canton legislature, to prepare a vote on the proposed expenditures. The vote will take place on September 11th, and should pass, considering the cross-partisan support in the same legislature in June, when voting to confirm the bid (with 74 out of 91 present representatives voting in favour at the time).
Once the motion passes, parties and groups wishing to challenge it through a referendum will have 42 days to collect at least 2000 signatures from Basel-Stadt citizens. The risk of such a referendum taking place was deemed light enough during the bidding process.
The summarised details of the budget
The document categorized expenses in twelve different categories, but we simplified them for a better understanding of the proposed budget. As such, the 37,464,000 CHF can be divided into six categories, as shown below :
While the graphics shows 7 categories, the provision for 3 million francs are budgeted for unforeseen events, and may not actually be spent.
St Jakobshalle venue – 14,562,000 CHF
Even though the host broadcaster SRG will pay for the actual production of the Eurovision shows, the venue will still be the main expense for the canton. First, they take into account that the contest will “block” the venue, its parking areas, as well as the St Jakob Arena (where the press centre will be located) for several weeks, which is much more than a regular event in the industry. This will cause a loss of income of 1,182,000 CHF which the canton must cover.
Additionally, the venue itself will require spending on the infrastructure (2,325,000 CHF for the general infrastructure, and 450,000 CHF to reinforce the ceiling of the concert hall to make sure it can withstand the equipment required by a Eurovision show), electricity (such as cables, generators, etc.), security, crew, emergency aid, catering, physical branding, etc.
Extra Eurovision events – 3,915,000 CHF
These extra events include three different kind of events and expenditures.
- 2,500,000 CHF for the “Arena Plus” area, in St. Jakob-park stadium, which will host additional spectators and family in a festival-like atmosphere during the shows
- The report paper expects that the income from tickets, on-site catering and hospitality will manage to cover the costs of the Arena Plus, meaning the next expenditure is planned to be neutral (0 CHF) -> this explains the difference between the gross figure of 37 million francs and the net figure of 34,964,000 CHF
- 915,000 CHF for EBU-mandated events, which include :
- The handover ceremony and the semi-final draw
- The head of delegations meeting
- Three EBU Reference Group meetings
- The Opening Ceremony and Turquoise Carpet
- 500,000 CHF for activities across the city, which include
- Eurovision Street
- Stages across the city (in Barfüsserplatz and on the Rhine river banks)
- A Eurovision Boulevard in the perimeter of Messeplatz-Claraplatz-Marktplatz-Barfüsserplatz-Heuwaage
The Eurovision Village should cost some 2,140,000 CHF, but being a non-commercial and non-profit event, it will be financed by Basel-Stadt’s Swisslos Fund (the cantonal fund from the Swiss National Lottery). EuroClub will be run directly (and commercially) by the Basel Exhibition Centre and is not part of the public expenditures.
City costs – 5,132,000 CHF
These include the cost to train local business (including hotels and hospitality businesses) before Eurovision take place, the cost of re-branding the city with posters, signs, etc. It also includes the recruitment of volunteers, providing for their uniforms, their training, catering, etc. The city will set up help desk in train stations and other important places, and plans on offering gifts to incoming visitors.
The city will also cover the accommodations’ cost for most of the production crew (but not the delegations, which pay for hotels themselves), and diverse minor “infrastructure” changes (paying for barriers and fences, mobile bathrooms, etc.).
Transportations – 2,000,000 CHF
These costs are divided into two different categories:
- 800,000 CHF for transporting delegations, crew, and media
- 1,200,000 CHF for spectators, including:
- Reinforcing the existing public transport system
- Special shuttles between the main locations (venue, EuroClub, potentially Eurovision street, etc.)
Security – 7,875,000 CHF
Security is always an important element for any international event, and it has been a growing concern for the Eurovision Song Contest. In Malmö, security was high throughout the entire city, and it was difficult not to notice armed police anywhere you went.
With the international situation not likely to change drastically for the better in the coming months, Basel-Stadt had to budget for high expenses in “classic” security (police forces and private security firms) but also in cybersecurity. The details are as follows:
- 7,000,000 CHF for security throughout the city (police, private security, etc.)
- 500,000 CHF for cybersecurity
- 350,000 CHF for extra costs in medical and fire emergency services (more vehicles, accommodations and catering for additional medical staff, etc.)
Other costs – 950,000 CHF
These include the cost of the project management, of communications and marketing, and various other expenses.
The expected economic impact of the contest
While the report mainly details the expenditures, it also reminds legislators of the general economic impact of organising a large international events. Between the influx of visitors in hotels, restaurants and other shops, and the orders from the organisers to local businesses, Basel expects an impact similar to what was seen in Liverpool. According to the University and the City Council of Liverpool, the 2023 contest boosted the local economy by £55m, or 62m CHF, almost twice the required public expenditure.
What do you think about these figures? Should they all be financed by the host city/state? Do you fear a referendum might threaten the organization of the contest? Tell us more in the comments below or on social media at @escxtra!
