The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2025 in Basel
The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2025 – the biggest music competition in the world – will be held in Basel from 10 to 17 May 2025. The ESC is more than just a music competition: it connects and inspires people across all borders. For Basel, the ESC offers a unique opportunity to present itself to a global audience.
This is happening during the ESC in Basel
An extensive programme of events around the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Basel from 10 to 17 May 2025:
- Eurovision Village | Messe Halle 1
- EuroClub & Café | Eventhalle der Messe Basel
- Eurovision Square |Barfüsserplatz
- Eurovision Street | Steinenvorstadt
- Eurovision Boulevard | Bahnhof SBB bis Badischer Bahnhof
The show week kicks off with the opening ceremony on Sunday, 11 May 2025. A total of nine shows will then take place in front of an audience in the St. Jakobshalle. The final show on 17 May will also be shown in the Arena plus in the St. Jakob-Park with a pre-show and public viewing.
Shows at the St. Jakobshalle
Mon, 12.5.2025 | 21.00 – 23.30 Rehearsal |
Tue, 13.5.2025 | 15.00 – 17.30 Rehearsal 21.00 – 23.30 Semi-Final 1 (Live broadcast) |
Wed, 14.5.2025 | 21.00 – 23.30 Rehearsal |
Thu, 15.5.2025 | 15.00 – 17.30 Rehearsal 21.00 – 23.30 Semi-Final 2 (Live broadcast) |
Fri, 16.5.2025 | 21.00 – 01.00 Rehearsal |
Sat, 17.5.2025 | 13.30 – 17.30 Rehearsal 21.00 – 01.00 Grand Final (Live broadcast) |
Media Releases & News
Aus dem Kanton
ESC: In Switzerland for the third time
The ESC is coming home to Switzerland in 2025. The very first «Grand Prix Eurovision de la Chanson» took place in Lugano in 1956. Back then, Lys Assia won and secured the first victory in ESC history for Switzerland. Switzerland's second victory followed in 1988 with Céline Dion, after which the music competition was held in Lausanne in 1989. Thanks to Nemo's victory in Malmö in 2024, the ESC is now coming to Switzerland for the third time - to Basel.
Basel wants the ESC
The people of Basel approved the expenses for the ESC in a vote on 24.11.2024 with 66.57 percent in favor. This is a very good result given that votes rarely exceed 60 percent. Hosting the ESC offers great opportunities for Basel as a venue. Basel will do everything in its power to be a good host city. The guests coming to Basel will benefit the hotel, catering and retail sectors as well as Basel's cultural scene. In addition, Basel can reach a global audience through live broadcasts and international coverage and inspire them with the qualities of the city.
The ESC has political backing in Basel: on 5 June 2024, the Grand Council of the Canton of Basel-Stadt decided by 74:8 votes with 6 abstentions that Basel should bid to host the ESC. On 11 September 2024, the Grand Council approved the supplementary credit and the expenditure of CHF 37.464 million for the ESC with 87:4 votes in favour and 4 abstentions. All parliamentary groups in the Grand Council supported the staging of the ESC in Basel by a majority or even unanimously.
