Following Switzerland’s victory in this year’s edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with Nemo, who won with their song “The Code,” the country is preparing to host the contest in 2025. A formal bidding process to determine the host city has yet to start, but that hasn’t stopped some from already expressing their willingness to host the contest. Venues and officials in Geneva, Zürich, Basel, and St. Gallen are the first to show interest in hosting the show.
Any host city needs to meet certain requirements: making a substantial financial contribution to host the event, having a venue that can accommodate around 10,000 spectators, an international airport with a large number of European flight connections, an efficient transport system, and a large hotel accommodation capacity of at least 2,000 rooms. Additionally, the host city needs the infrastructure and venues to host the Press Centre, Delegation Bubble, Eurovision Village, EuroClub, and side events.
Let’s take a look in more detail at who has put themselves forward so far.
Eurovision 2025 host city: Expressions of interest
Geneva
Geneva is one of the cities that has shown interest in hosting the show, proposing the International Exhibition and Convention Center Palexpo as the venue. Besides the city’s popularity among tourists, it is important to note that Geneva is also home to the EBU’s headquarters, and The Palexpo is located in Geneva’s Le Grand-Saconnex district, very close to the EBU’s headquarters. Additionally, Geneva has an international airport with numerous international flights, an efficient transportation system, and meets the required hotel capacity. In a post, Palexpo expressed:
“Eurovision at Palexpo?
“Following Nemo’s victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 on Saturday night in Malmö, Switzerland will host the event in May 2025.
“In this context, Palexpo, in collaboration with the Geneva authorities, is working to host the event in Geneva in 2025, which will be organized by SSR.
“A bid dossier has already been submitted for the hosting of this event, which is one of the most significant televised events globally.
“Approximately 32,000 square meters, capable of accommodating nearly 15,000 spectators, can be made available, as well as the entirety of the three congress centres at Palexpo to host more than 2,000 journalists.
“The decision on the choice of venue will be made during the summer.”
Following Nemo’s victory at the 2024 #Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night in Malmö, Switzerland will host the event in May 2025.#Palexpo, in collaboration with the #Geneva authorities, is working to host the event in Geneva in 2025, which will be organised by the SSR. pic.twitter.com/XZjVX83u5W
— Palexpo (@Palexpo) May 13, 2024
Zürich
When it comes to Zürich, their advantage is having the biggest concert hall in Switzerland, the Hallenstadion, with a capacity of around 15,000 spectators. Furthermore, the Zürich World Trade Centre is very close, providing a perfect place for additional events and press activities. It’s also extremely close to Zürich Airport and the base of Swiss broadcaster SRF, making the Hallenstadion a perfect venue that is both accessible for Eurovision fans and suitable for the Press Centre, Delegation Bubble, Eurovision Village, EuroClub, and all other side events. The city also meets the required hotel capacity.
Philipp Musshafen, the CEO of The Hallenstadion, revealed to the press that they were told to reserve the venue for the possibility of hosting Eurovision.
“We were told to reserve six to eight weeks from around the beginning of April to mid-May 2025, with a possible, still unofficial date for the final on May 10th.”
Balz Hösly, the Chairman of The Hallenstadion, spoke about the unprecedented nature of this situation, asking for understanding from those who already had events scheduled, as Eurovision now takes priority.
“If we win the contract, we hope that the concert organisers and the companies that would like to hold their meetings with us will understand, we would of course support them in finding an alternative, preferably with us on another date or possibly in another hall. If a singer falls ill, an event is sometimes cancelled the day before the concert, now for once it’s us who are asking for a little flexibility.”
Basel
Basel is another city interested in hosting the competition. The venue they propose for next year’s edition is St. Jakobshalle, with an arena capacity of approximately 12,000 spectators. Additionally, besides the arena, there are five more halls suitable for the press and other Eurovision events. The city is situated at the crossroads of three countries: Germany, France, and Switzerland, boasting an excellent transportation system. Moreover, Basel is home to an international airport, EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, and is also just one hour away from Zurich’s airport.
Basel District President Conradin Cramer expressed in a recent post that the city is eager to host Eurovision.
“Congratulations to Nemo on the fantastic victory at #ESC2024 in Malmö! Now Switzerland will host #ESC2025. Basel is an excellent place for this event. And we are ready: with our infrastructure, accessibility, and hospitality. #ESC2025Basel”
Herzliche Gratulation an Nemo zum grossartigen Sieg beim #ESC2024 in Malmö! Nun wird die Schweiz den #ESC2025 austragen. Als Austragungsort eignet sich #Basel hervorragend. Und wir sind parat: mit unserer Infrastruktur, Erreichbarkeit und Gastfreundschaft. #ESC2025Basel
— Conradin Cramer (@ConradinCramer) May 12, 2024
Meanwhile, St. Jakobshalle reaffirmed Carmer’s statement in a post about next year’s edition as well.
“Congratulations to Nemo on the well-deserved victory at the Eurovision Song Contest! The entire nation is proud. 🥳 🏆
“Switzerland, we are ready for ESC 2025! For the third time in history, our country will be the host. The St. Jakobshalle Basel is perfectly suited as the venue, with its 20,000 square meters and an arena that can accommodate 12,400 people. With its strategically advantageous location at the tri-border area and excellent public transportation connections, we are the right choice to host this event. 💫
“Nothing is decided yet, but we are ready to pull out all the stops to bring the ESC to Basel! 🎤🎼 Keep your fingers crossed for us!”
St. Gallen
Last but not least, a newly-built venue in St. Gallen has also expressed its willingness to host. Olma Messen has proposed its Kantonalbank Hall, which is suitable for approximately 12,000 spectators and is in excellent condition. The city has a small airport with limited international flights. However, it is only one hour away by train from Zurich International Airport.
The venue made a post on their Facebook page about the possibility of hosting next year’s edition.
“The ESC 2025 will take place in Switzerland. 🏆🎵 What a fantastic achievement, Nemo – Artist! How about hosting ESC 2025 in the St.Gallen Kantonalbank Hall?
“There are at least 3 good reasons for this:
1️⃣ With the SGKB Hall, we are now playing in the premier league.
2️⃣ We Eastern Swiss people are friendly hosts.
3️⃣ For our region, the ESC means image and added value.”
Which city is your favourite to host Eurovision 2025? Do you have any other suitable city in mind? Let us know in the comments bellow.
