Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland

Get ready for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 as it returns to Switzerland, hosted in Basel at the iconic St. Jakobshalle! With nine arena shows throughout the week—including warmups, rehearsals, and the highly anticipated Grand Final on Saturday, May 17th—fans will have plenty of opportunities to be amazed. Whether you're attending the thrilling live shows or exploring Eurovision events around Basel, this guide has everything you need to make the most of your experience, including key schedules and tips for your diary!

Switzerland's hosting Eurovision.

After Switzerland won in 2024 with the help of Nemo and the song "The Code," the 69th edition of ESC is set to take place in Basel, Switzerland in 2025. It is being organized by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and is scheduled to take place from May 13–17, 2025. Switzerland will host the Eurovision Contest for the third time this year, and the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, which can accommodate 12,400 people, has been selected.

The majority of these events, such as Eurovision Village, EuroClub, and others, as well as the May 11 "Turquoise Carpet" for musicians, will be held in the Messe und Congress Centrum Basel, where more festivities are anticipated. Additionally, songs from previous Eurovision contestants will be performed on the outdoor stage of Basel, Switzerland's St Johanns-Park.

Geneva, Bern, and Zurich are among the places that have placed proposals to be the representative city for the event since May 2024, but Basel wins in the end. The Swiss city of Basel was chosen in August after Geneva and Basel each submitted their final offers. After evaluating potential sites, venues, and infrastructure, the officials of SRG SSR and EBU decided on Basel's St. Jakobshalle.

Participation is restricted to national broadcasters who are EBU members and have the ability to broadcast the competition live. The Big Five of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK advance straight to the final round, joining automatic finalist Switzerland. The remaining countries then have an opportunity to play in the semi-final round. By October 2024, a number of nations have shown their interest in participating. Montenegro is one among such nations, albeit they have stayed away from comparable events in the past two serials.

Schedule of the Contest

Fans will get nine chances to see performances during the week of the Eurovision event, in addition to the final, thanks to the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland. The primary occurrences are:

• First Semi-Final: Tuesday, May 13, 21:00 CET
• Second Semi-Final: Thursday, May 15, 21:00 CET
• Grand Final: Saturday, May 17, 21:00 CET

There are extra rehearsals and previews for every main show:

• Evening Preview: The complete run-through includes a worldwide vote for the Grand Final every evening prior to the Live TV Show.
• The afternoon preview is a daily event that caters to youthful viewers and is considered the final rehearsal for highly seasoned live television shows.

While the Grand Final is still accessible for traditional home viewing, preview programs offer viewers the opportunity to witness the performances while maintaining the same content as the live broadcasts.

Preview events will always provide a more simpler ticket option, and concert tickets are constantly in high demand. Fans should subscribe to the official Eurovision mailing lists and keep an eye on all the channels for updates on ticket availability in order to learn more.

During the time spent in Basel for Eurovision Song Contest 2025, use your stay to maximum advantage by booking Basel City Tour with AlpExcursion. It is a perfect moment to get closer to rich history, culture, and beauty, filled with Eurovision festivities in the air. You will then be taken to famous sites that include the quaint medieval Old Town and the breathtaking architecture along the Rhine River. On a visit to Basel for Eurovision, you get to discover the city's best-kept secrets.

There are so many opportunities to watch the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, not only the main show. Starting with the Semi-Finals and the previews for the showpieces to the Final feast of the Grand Final, the week has it all. As always, tune in and get prepared for an evening of thrilling music and togetherness for this Eurovision to be most special. And whether you need a private transfer to Basel or want to have a sightseeing tour of Basel, AlpExcursion has got you covered.

Do not miss the opportunity to get to Switzerland, watch the contest and enjoy the wonderful country.