The countdown is on as Switzerland’s national broadcaster SRG prepares to announce the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Mark your calendars for the stroke of midnight CET on Tuesday August 30, when SRG will reveal whether the iconic competition will light up the cultural scenes of Basel or Geneva. The broadcaster revealed the announcement of the host city with a countdown on their Instagram story, as posted below.
Both cities are yet to host Eurovision, it will no doubt ignite the spirit of friendly rivalry between these two Swiss cities. In fact, SRG have also asked fans to vote in a non-binding poll as to their choice. So, what can we expect from this epic showdown?
Basel: A City of Cultural Flair
Basel, Switzerland’s third-largest city, is well-known for its vibrant arts scene, historic charm, and lively festivals. Nestled on the Rhine River, Basel is a city that marries tradition with modernity, making it a strong contender for hosting Eurovision 2025. Its cultural institutions, such as the Basel Art Museum and the renowned Basel Theatre, highlight its rich artistic heritage. The venue they propose for next year’s edition is St. Jakobshalle, with an arena capacity of approximately 12,000 spectators (which would be expected to reduce by some thousands for the Eurovision stage).
Beyond its infrastructure, Basel offers a unique blend of international flair and Swiss tradition. Its location near the borders of France and Germany adds an extra layer of excitement, potentially attracting a diverse array of fans and visitors from across Europe. Plus, the city’s yearly famous Basel Carnival in March, with its vibrant parades and street performances, should easily prepare the city to host Eurovision’s own colourful spectacle.
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Geneva: A Hub of Elegance and Diplomacy
On the other hand, Geneva is no stranger to hosting major international events. Known as a hub for diplomacy and global organizations, Geneva exudes a cosmopolitan charm that could perfectly complement the Eurovision Song Contest’s spirit of unity and diversity. The city’s iconic landmarks, including the Jet d’Eau and the Palais des Nations, add a touch of elegance and sophistication to its credentials. Not to mention the city is the home of The European Broadcasting Union.
Geneva’s Palexpo would host the contest, with a max capacity of 15,000 fans. Nestled in a backdrop of a rich cultural scene with a blend of French and Swiss influences, which could enhance the multicultural celebration of Eurovision. The city’s picturesque lakeside setting and beautiful architecture promise a visually stunning backdrop for the contest, adding to its appeal.
With an announcement imminent, which city would you like to see host Eurovision in 2025? Basel or Geneva? Let us know in the comments below.
We won’t have Kosovo in Switzerland. Their participation at ESC 2025 has been rejected. What a shame!
As long as There are still countries in this contest that don’t recognize Kosovo’s independence, and it still lacks certain requirements, it’s gonna be an uphill battle for Kosovo to be at Eurovision.
we already have Montenegro back, and maybe also North Macedonia and Monaco
we can miss Netherlands if we have all these to make up the numbers
and otherwise EBU can always give Kazakhstan a little invite, so they give us operatic god Dimash Qudaibergen to the euro family
I am wondering if Celine Dion will be on one of the shows. Winning eurovison for Switzerland was a major milestone for the beginning of her career, back in the days, when only TV, with not so many channels existed.
She has been at the olympics.
Did you mean Friday 30th August as the 30th August is not a Tuesday?
Germans have a monthly subscription called Deutschlandticket, which costs 49 euro and allows almost unlimited use of public transportation throughout the country. The ticket also permits travel to certain towns outside Germany, including Basel. With this ticket, anyone in Germany can travel to Eurovision from anywhere in the country. It’s affordable, and if their employer covers the ticket, it costs them nothing.
It’s only valid for local trains. Yes, theoretically you can use it from Hamburg to Basel but you may wish to die by the end of the journey 🙂
Y’all think Sweden is expensive. Strap in for Switzerland…..
majority of people who live in switzerland are wealthy tea
and this is how the rich stay rich, with those expensive prices for literally everything, but still despite that they manage to do quite well in terms of the tourism sector
Sweden is more expansive than Switzerland, I think.
No, Switzerland is the most expensive country in Europe.
Depends on what costs we’re talking about. I’m often at both, Switzerland is definitely more expensive with day to day costs (food, transport, etc) but hotels are often more expensive in Sweden, so is alcohol, etc.
I’m assuming it will be Basel, as it is the turn of German-speaking Switzerland (after Lugano in 1956 and Lausanne in 1989…)
i always liked Nemo’s song The Code, mega mega geile disney vibes, and despite me not being non-binary or part of the lgbtq+ community i can relate to the song, because of my autism
they are fab superstars, also love how supportive their father is to them
That’s interesting. I am not a fan of the song myself but perhaps there is more to it than meets the eye. I am more a “I fell in love with El Diablo” man. I always enjoy reading your comments.
Geneva hopefully, we would absolutely adore a contest near the ebu hq, so the ebu can keep a closer eye on the contest, that everyone sticks by their rules
You are such a loser! LOL
still butthurt about who had won i see
not my problem juries have superior taste over the televoters
Whether in Basel or Geneva, I hope that we’ll once again have the honor of attending a performance by Celine Dion. She simply closed the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics in a masterful way. What a legend!
I think some people have become very excited for a Eurovision appearance after seeing Celine at the Olympics. I don’t anyone should be getting too excited…apparently, Celine received Eur 4 million for that spot, SRG SSR are not going to be paying that. And unfortunately, as much as we love Eurovision and consider it important, it’s not as much a global showcase for Celine as the Olympics opening ceremony. I’ll be downvoted for that, but it’s true. US audiences for the Olympics opening ceremony are huge, Eurovision’s viewing figures are tiny in the US. Also, Celine isn’t Swiss, she has… Read more »
I sat through her concert in Stockholm in 2017, hoping and praying for Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, but if course no. She talked far too much and far too many Queen covers.
Has she even sung it since 1989?
She would probably want EUR 4 million. I did think it was insulting to French artists that she got the limelight at opening ceremony. I thought she could be in longer sing?
If I was French, I’d have been far more insulted about Gaga…at least Celine is Francophone.
Gaga made a tribute to the old french culture, I don’t see the insult, Gaga is loved in France and has always loved France too, same as Céline though.
I guess just like Timberlake loves Sweden and Madonna I*rael
I don’t see the link, but ok Jofty if you want…
i think its gonmna be basel beacuse if it not them why would they turn down zurichj wich is better than besel production wise and zurich had planned to use 30 million zurich money
Looks like Basel. Switzerland is extremely expensive, particularly the areas of Zurich and Geneva and many fans could not afford to go there. Basel is a bit different as it is well connected by train with many cheaper towns in Germany.
maybe getting rid of the fans is the intention
The fans are not anymore the priority, and some famous but unbearable eurofans who thinks the contest belongs to them know exactly why, some of them crossed the line.
Geneva is connected by train with many cheaper towns in France 😉
It’s going to be Geneva. Look at factors here. The Palexpo is by far the most equipped out of all venues shortlisted. It’s the most accessible and easiest to get to. There are budget options available within the border area between the Canton of Geneva and the French Border. Also, given the drama in Malmö, it’s far more likely to be held in Geneva over Basel so the EBU. (Even though they are narcissistic fraudsters, that almost destroyed the credibility of the contest over things like Israel, treatment of delegations and the unlawful disqualification of Joost Klien which cost the… Read more »
And regarding the speculations that thousands of Eurovision fans would be protesting in front of EBU in Geneva I just don’t believe it. Eurovision fans are known to be super unreliable on anything, many are doing anything for attention and most of them would just be chilling out in Geneva instead of going to protest over things they can’t have influence on. At best it would be several peaceful fans symbollically calling for Israel to be banned. I remember how everyone was like “Let’s boycott Eurovision” when all of them just watched the show in the end and many were… Read more »
I wasn’t even thinking of protests. But given the drama last year it may be better to host it in Geneva, The EBUs homeground as they could handle things more internally than last year. As the Venue in Basel is not as strong as Geneva.
Geneva is better option overall, but they’re gonna pick Basel
Zürich was my first choice, followed by Berne.
But out of these two I hope it’s Geneva. If I had to pick, that would be my choice. But something tells me it will be Basel.
Geneva would be way too expensive for most eurofans and Basel is very close to Germany and France so fans could book hotels there.
The German speaking part has the biggest population but has never hosted Eurovision, so I think it should be Basel