Eurovision 2025: Host city for Switzerland confirmed

The host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 has been chosen as Switzerland prepare to welcome Eurovision next year.

Following singer Nemo's victory earlier this year with The Code at Malmö, Sweden, it was confirmed that Eurovision would indeed be heading to Switzerland next year.

Now, it's been confirmed that the Swiss host city will be Basel, the country's third-largest city. 

Eurovision itself will take place in St. Jacobshalle, an area just outside of Basel, with a capacity of 12,400. 

Timings have also been confirmed in terms of the two 2025 semi-finals and the Grand Final itself.

The two Eurovision 2025 semi-finals will take place on Tuesday 13 May and Thursday 15 May 2025, with the Grand Final on Saturday May 17.

“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,” said Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest.

“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,” Österdahl continued. “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.”

Switzerland's victory with Nemo in 2024 was the third time the country won Eurovision; Switzerland were actually the winners of the first ever Eurovision in 1956 with Lys Assia's Refrain and again in 1988 with none other than Celine Dion (!) with Ne partez pas sans moi.