Basel will host the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest after the Swiss border city was chosen Friday to stage the 69th edition of the glitzy annual TV extravaganza.

Swiss singer Nemo's 2024 Eurovision victory gave Switzerland the right to host next year's event, with a huge global audience guaranteed.

Right on the borders with France and Germany, Switzerland's third-biggest city was given the nod ahead of Geneva.

The contest will be staged at the St. Jakobshalle indoor arena, with semi-finals set for May 13 and 15, while the final is to take place on May 17.

"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," Eurovision executive supervisor Martin Osterdahl said in a statement.

From its earnest black-and-white 1950s beginnings, Eurovision has ballooned into a colourful giant kitsch celebration that never takes itself too seriously.

The contest puts host cities in the spotlight, with 163 million viewers worldwide watching this year's event in Malmo, Sweden, where Nemo triumphed in May with the highly personal song "The Code".

Hosting also has a knock-on boost for the hotel and tourism industries as Eurovision fanatics, artists and country delegations flock in.

Football stadium party zone -

Opened in 1976, St. Jakobshalle styles itself as Switzerland's top multi-purpose arena. The venue can hold more than 12,000 spectators.

Fans without golden tickets for the arena will be able to flock to the 40,000-capacity St. Jakob-Park football stadium across the street to watch the final on a giant screen, and see performances by former Eurovision stars.

Meanwhile the Steinenvorstadt district, known for its bars and cinemas, will be transformed into "Eurovision Street".

"It is a great honour for Basel to be able to host the world's biggest live music event!" said Conradin Cramer, president of the Basel city authority.

On the River Rhine, Basel is an international hub for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, hosting the headquarters of Novartis and Roche.

But it also has its cultural side, with several internationally-renowned museums, and the annual Art Basel event, the world's top contemporary art fair.

- Four down to one -

The decision was made by the host broadcaster SRG, and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) public service media alliance which owns Eurovision.

The venue, public transport links, sustainability, hotel accommodation, security, investment, event experience and the support from the city were key factors in the decision.

Following a surge of early enthusiasm from Swiss cities after Nemo's victory, only four formal bids emerged by the end of June deadline.

Zurich, plus Bern in conjunction with Nemo's hometown Biel, were eliminated in mid-July, leaving just Geneva and Basel in play.

The financial demands of hosting Eurovision -- and, from a minor Christian fundamentalist party, fear of the occult -- sparked threats of local referendums that could throw a spanner in the works.

Swiss voters are used to having a direct say on how their taxes are spent, and some were bristling at the potential costs and hassle of bringing the Eurovision circus to town.

Eurovision is a non-profit event, mostly financed by weighted contributions from participating EBU broadcasters.

Eurovision says that "given the benefits that will flow" to host cities, they must make also make a contribution.

The Basel-City authority is looking at putting in 34.9 million Swiss francs ($41.5 million), subject to a vote in the city assembly on September 11.

- Shadow of Celine Dion -

Nemo's victory was only the third time Switzerland had won Eurovision.

Lys Assia won the first-ever contest in 1956 with "Refrain".

Canadian then-starlet Celine Dion triumphed for Switzerland in 1988 singing "Ne partez pas sans moi", launching her career internationally.

Switzerland staged the 1956 contest at the Teatro Kursaal in Lugano and declined to host again in 1957, while the 1989 event was held in the Palais de Beaulieu&nbsp;in&nbsp;Lausanne.

After being staged in the Italian- and then French-speaking regions, Basel will therefore bring Eurovision to the main German-speaking part of Switzerland for the first time.

Basel will host the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest after the Swiss border city was chosen Friday to stage the 69th edition of the glitzy annual TV extravaganza. Swiss singer Nemo's 2024 Eurovision victory gave Switzerland the right to host next year's event, with a huge global audience guaranteed.

Basel will host the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest after the Swiss border city was chosen Friday to stage the 69th edition of the glitzy annual TV extravaganza. Swiss singer Nemo's 2024 Eurovision victory gave Switzerland the right to host next year's event, with a huge global audience guaranteed. Right on the borders with France and Germany, Switzerland's third-biggest city was given the nod ahead of Geneva. The contest will be staged at the St. Jakobshalle indoor arena, with semi-finals set for May 13 and 15, while the final is to take place on May 17. "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," Eurovision executive supervisor Martin Osterdahl said in a statement. From its earnest black-and-white 1950s beginnings, Eurovision has ballooned into a colourful giant kitsch celebration that never takes itself too seriously. The contest puts host cities in the spotlight, with 163 million viewers worldwide watching this year's event in Malmo, Sweden, where Nemo triumphed in May with the highly personal song "The Code". Hosting also has a knock-on boost for the hotel and tourism industries as Eurovision fanatics, artists and country delegations flock in. Football stadium party zone - Opened in 1976, St. Jakobshalle styles itself as Switzerland's top multi-purpose arena. The venue can hold more than 12,000 spectators. Fans without golden tickets for the arena will be able to flock to the 40,000-capacity St. Jakob-Park football stadium across the street to watch the final on a giant screen, and see performances by former Eurovision stars. Meanwhile the Steinenvorstadt district, known for its bars and cinemas, will be transformed into "Eurovision Street". "It is a great honour for Basel to be able to host the world's biggest live music event!" said Conradin Cramer, president of the Basel city authority. On the River Rhine, Basel is an international hub for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, hosting the headquarters of Novartis and Roche. But it also has its cultural side, with several internationally-renowned museums, and the annual Art Basel event, the world's top contemporary art fair. - Four down to one - The decision was made by the host broadcaster SRG, and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) public service media alliance which owns Eurovision. The venue, public transport links, sustainability, hotel accommodation, security, investment, event experience and the support from the city were key factors in the decision. Following a surge of early enthusiasm from Swiss cities after Nemo's victory, only four formal bids emerged by the end of June deadline. Zurich, plus Bern in conjunction with Nemo's hometown Biel, were eliminated in mid-July, leaving just Geneva and Basel in play. The financial demands of hosting Eurovision -- and, from a minor Christian fundamentalist party, fear of the occult -- sparked threats of local referendums that could throw a spanner in the works. Swiss voters are used to having a direct say on how their taxes are spent, and some were bristling at the potential costs and hassle of bringing the Eurovision circus to town. Eurovision is a non-profit event, mostly financed by weighted contributions from participating EBU broadcasters. Eurovision says that "given the benefits that will flow" to host cities, they must make also make a contribution. The Basel-City authority is looking at putting in 34.9 million Swiss francs ($41.5 million), subject to a vote in the city assembly on September 11. - Shadow of Celine Dion - Nemo's victory was only the third time Switzerland had won Eurovision. Lys Assia won the first-ever contest in 1956 with "Refrain". Canadian then-starlet Celine Dion triumphed for Switzerland in 1988 singing "Ne partez pas sans moi", launching her career internationally. Switzerland staged the 1956 contest at the Teatro Kursaal in Lugano and declined to host again in 1957, while the 1989 event was held in the Palais de Beaulieu in Lausanne. After being staged in the Italian- and then French-speaking regions, Basel will therefore bring Eurovision to the main German-speaking part of Switzerland for the first time.

Swiss city of Basel to host Eurovision 2025

Swiss singer Nemo's 2024 Eurovision victory means Switzerland gets to host the glitzy TV extravaganza next year -- though battles are now raging over footing the bill. Zurich, Geneva, Basel, plus Bern in conjunction with Nemo's hometown Biel, are the four declared candidates to stage the 69th Eurovision Song Contest.

The winner should be announced by the end of August, with the kitsch annual spectacle set for mid-May 2025. But the financial demands of hosting Eurovision -- and, in some parts, even fear of the occult -- have sparked threats of local referendums to ensure cities don't get saddled with the event.

The contest puts host cities in the spotlight, with 163 million viewers worldwide watching this year's event in Malmo, Sweden, where Nemo triumphed with the highly personal song "The Code". Hosting also has a knock-on boost for the hotel and tourism industries as Eurovision fanatics, artists and country delegations flock in.

Following a surge of early enthusiasm, four formal bids emerged by the end of June deadline. However, Swiss voters are used to having a direct say on how their taxes are spent, and some are bristling at the potential costs and hassle of bringing the Eurovision circus to town.

- Satanism concerns -

Under Switzerland's direct democratic system, popular votes can be triggered on most any issue if enough signatures are gathered. The Christian fundamentalist, right-wing Federal Democratic Union (EDU) minor party is pushing for referendums against public financial support in every potential host city.

"What bothers us most is that Satanism and occultism are increasingly being celebrated or at least tolerated," said EDU executive board member Samuel Kullmann, according to the public broadcaster SRF. 
"More and more artists are openly presenting occult messages," he said, citing Ireland's witchcraft-inspired 2024 entrant Bambie Thug.

But Switzerland's next window for popular votes comes after the August host city selection date -- potentially throwing a spanner in the works. In the end, the host broadcaster SRG will make the location decision, supported by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) public service media alliance which owns Eurovision.

"Financial commitments without a referendum requirement are of course less risky and offer us more planning security," said SRG spokesman Edi Estermann. "Ultimately, however, this is only one aspect of a comprehensive list of requirements."

- 'Bullying, riots' -

From its earnest 1950s beginnings, Eurovision has ballooned into a colourful giant annual celebration that never takes itself too seriously. It is a non-profit event, mostly financed by weighted contributions from participating EBU broadcasters.

Eurovision says that "given the benefits that will flow" to the host city, it must make a contribution to the competition's hosting. This can be "either financially or 'in kind' (e.g. covering expenses of city branding, side events, security, etc.)".

The potential host cities are lining up packages of 20-40 million Swiss francs ($22.25-44.5 million). 
The hard-right Swiss People's Party (SVP), the country's biggest party, is eyeing referendum options in Zurich and Bern.

The 2024 event in Malmo was one of the most politically-charged competitions ever, with Israel's entry targeted by protests over the war in Gaza. That hoopla is putting off some in the normally calm and orderly Switzerland.

Eurovision 2024 was "dominated by bullying, riots and political slapstick rather than artistic skills. We don't need that in Zurich!" the regional SVP branch said. Meanwhile, the SVP's Bern canton branch branded Eurovision an "expensive media spectacle" set to cost at least 40 million Swiss francs.

SVP Bern cantonal lawmaker Samuel Krahenbuhl said Zurich, Geneva and Basel had greater financial leeway. "The high expenses and the other problems that such a major event brings with it -- let's leave it to them," he said.

Basel has seen little opposition so far to hosting the competition, including from the SVP, while there is also broad enthusiasm from Geneva's politicians. Money squabbles over big events are not uncommon in Switzerland.

The country will host the 2025 women's European football championships, but the government wanted to reduce its promised contribution of 15 million francs to 4 million, before parliament reversed the cut.

Swiss singer Nemo's 2024 Eurovision victory means Switzerland gets to host the glitzy TV extravaganza next year -- though battles are now raging over footing the bill.

Swiss singer Nemo's 2024 Eurovision victory means Switzerland gets to host the glitzy TV extravaganza next year -- though battles are now raging over footing the bill. Zurich, Geneva, Basel, plus Bern in conjunction with Nemo's hometown Biel, are the four declared candidates to stage the 69th Eurovision Song Contest. The winner should be announced by the end of August, with the kitsch annual spectacle set for mid-May 2025. But the financial demands of hosting Eurovision -- and, in some parts, even fear of the occult -- have sparked threats of local referendums to ensure cities don't get saddled with the event. The contest puts host cities in the spotlight, with 163 million viewers worldwide watching this year's event in Malmo, Sweden, where Nemo triumphed with the highly personal song "The Code". Hosting also has a knock-on boost for the hotel and tourism industries as Eurovision fanatics, artists and country delegations flock in. Following a surge of early enthusiasm, four formal bids emerged by the end of June deadline. However, Swiss voters are used to having a direct say on how their taxes are spent, and some are bristling at the potential costs and hassle of bringing the Eurovision circus to town. - Satanism concerns - Under Switzerland's direct democratic system, popular votes can be triggered on most any issue if enough signatures are gathered. The Christian fundamentalist, right-wing Federal Democratic Union (EDU) minor party is pushing for referendums against public financial support in every potential host city. "What bothers us most is that Satanism and occultism are increasingly being celebrated or at least tolerated," said EDU executive board member Samuel Kullmann, according to the public broadcaster SRF. "More and more artists are openly presenting occult messages," he said, citing Ireland's witchcraft-inspired 2024 entrant Bambie Thug. But Switzerland's next window for popular votes comes after the August host city selection date -- potentially throwing a spanner in the works. In the end, the host broadcaster SRG will make the location decision, supported by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) public service media alliance which owns Eurovision. "Financial commitments without a referendum requirement are of course less risky and offer us more planning security," said SRG spokesman Edi Estermann. "Ultimately, however, this is only one aspect of a comprehensive list of requirements." - 'Bullying, riots' - From its earnest 1950s beginnings, Eurovision has ballooned into a colourful giant annual celebration that never takes itself too seriously. It is a non-profit event, mostly financed by weighted contributions from participating EBU broadcasters. Eurovision says that "given the benefits that will flow" to the host city, it must make a contribution to the competition's hosting. This can be "either financially or 'in kind' (e.g. covering expenses of city branding, side events, security, etc.)". The potential host cities are lining up packages of 20-40 million Swiss francs ($22.25-44.5 million). The hard-right Swiss People's Party (SVP), the country's biggest party, is eyeing referendum options in Zurich and Bern. The 2024 event in Malmo was one of the most politically-charged competitions ever, with Israel's entry targeted by protests over the war in Gaza. That hoopla is putting off some in the normally calm and orderly Switzerland. Eurovision 2024 was "dominated by bullying, riots and political slapstick rather than artistic skills. We don't need that in Zurich!" the regional SVP branch said. Meanwhile, the SVP's Bern canton branch branded Eurovision an "expensive media spectacle" set to cost at least 40 million Swiss francs. SVP Bern cantonal lawmaker Samuel Krahenbuhl said Zurich, Geneva and Basel had greater financial leeway. "The high expenses and the other problems that such a major event brings with it -- let's leave it to them," he said. Basel has seen little opposition so far to hosting the competition, including from the SVP, while there is also broad enthusiasm from Geneva's politicians. Money squabbles over big events are not uncommon in Switzerland. The country will host the 2025 women's European football championships, but the government wanted to reduce its promised contribution of 15 million francs to 4 million, before parliament reversed the cut.

Swiss cities battle to host Eurovision 2025 - or not

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Swiss city of Basel to host Eurovision 2025

Swiss cities battle to host Eurovision 2025 - or not