The host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 has been announced as Basel in Switzerland, organisers have revealed.
In a statement published on Friday, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said the semi-finals on May 13 and 15 and the grand final on May 17 for the 2025 event will be held in the St Jakobshalle arena.
It added that the contest is ‘being held in the German-speaking part of Switzerland for the first time after previously being hosted in Lugano in 1956 and Lausanne in 1989’.
The international singing competition is being hosted in Switzerland after Swiss singer Nemo took the trophy earlier this year in Malmo, Sweden.
The Swiss star, 24, became the competition’s first non-binary winner, after they scored 365 points with the juries and 226 from the public for a total of 591 with their song The Code.
Host city is REVEALED for Eurovision Song Contest 2025 as the competition heads to Basel in Switzerland next May
In a statement published on Friday, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said the semi-finals on May 13 and 15 and the grand final on May 17 for the 2025 event will be held in the St Jakobshalle arena (pictured Olly Alexander performing at Eurovision in May)
As is tradition, the contest will now head to the winner’s country for next year’s competition.
Four cities were in the running to host, including Basel, Bern, Geneva and Zurich, with Geneva and Basel being narrowed down as the final two.
The selection also means 2025 will mark the sixth consecutive year that the competition hasn’t taken place in a country’s capital city.
Due to be hosted in the St Jakobshalle arena, the venue is situated in Münchenstein and is usually used for indoor sports and concert events and has a capacity of 12,400 people.
Martin Österdahl, executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest said: ‘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.
Martin Österdahl, executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest said: ‘The EBU is thrilled that Basel has been selected as the Host City for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025’ (pictured the Rhine River in Basel)
Due to be hosted in the St Jakobshalle arena (pictured), the venue is situated in Münchenstein and is usually used for indoor sports and concert events and has a capacity of 12,400 people
Swiss singer Nemo took the trophy earlier this year in Malmo, Sweden as he became the competition’s first non-binary winner, after they scored 365 points with the juries and 226 from the public for a total of 591 with their song The Code
UK fans will be hoping for a better result this year after Olly Alexander received a harsh zero points during last year’s Eurovision
‘The city’s exceptional St. Jakobshalle venue and outstanding hospitality will ensure a memorable experience for delegations, artists and fans alike.’
UK fans will be hoping for a better result this year after Olly Alexander received a harsh zero points during last year’s Eurovision.
The Years And Years singer, 34, represented the UK with his raunchy track Dizzy, and while things appeared to be looking positive after the jury vote he sadly received no votes from the public.
The UK finished with a low score of 46, as fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their heartbreak as they insisted that the star ‘deserved better’.
They wrote: ‘No cause why tf did Olly Alexander get 0? y’all deserved better’; ‘Zero public points for the UK – my jaw DROPPED #Eurovision2024’
‘Really feel for Olly Alexander, to get 0 public votes for Eurovision is really harsh! Everyone hates the U.K! I think it’s no longer about music but about politics now. Congrats to Switzerland’.
However Olly and his team seemed to take the news in their stride as they were pictured laughing and cheering after the news was announced.
The star didn’t look disappointed as he celebrated with his dancers after the jam-packed performance.
