The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2025 in Basel
The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2025 – the biggest music competition in the world – was held in Basel from 10 to 17 May 2025. The ESC was more than just a music competition: it connected and inspired people across all borders. For Basel, the ESC offered a unique opportunity to present itself to a global audience.
This is what happened during the ESC in Basel
An extensive programme of events around the Eurovision Song Contest took 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 kicked off with the opening ceremony on Sunday, 11 May 2025. A total of nine shows then took place in front of an audience in the St. Jakobshalle. The final show on 17 May was also 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
ESC: In Switzerland for the third time
The ESC came 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 came back to Switzerland for the third time - to Basel.
Basel wanted 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 offered great opportunities for Basel as a venue. Basel did everything in its power to be a good host city. The guests coming to Basel brought benefits to the hotel, catering and retail sectors as well as Basel's cultural scene. In addition, Basel has reached a global audience through live broadcasts and international coverage and inspired them with the qualities of the city.
The ESC had 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.
