After a highly competitive application process between four potential bids, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation have shortlisted the final two cities in the running to host Eurovision 2025 in Switzerland – either Basel or Geneva.
Bids by Bern/Biel, who planned to host the first Eurovision across cities, and Zurich, the odds-on favourite to host, were ruled out.
The final announcement selecting the host city will be sometime in August.
As per the selection process, 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 run through how each host city meets those requirements.
Geneva
Geneva was no doubt a strong contender for hosting Eurovision, and was one of the cities that has shown interest in hosting the show from early on. The city has proposed the International Exhibition and Convention Center Palexpo as the venue – which can hold up to 15,000 spectators (although this is expected to drop some several thousand to make way for Eurovision’s stage). Additionally, Geneva has an international airport with numerous international flights, an efficient transportation system, and meets the required hotel capacity. Authorities in Geneva have already pledged some CHF30 million for the organisation of the contest.
Geneva is, in itself, a truly global city. Situated on Lake Geneva, the city serves as Switzerland’s financial centre, and a worldwide centre for diplomacy as the headquarters of the United Nations. It also serves as the administrative home of the Eurovision Broadcasting Union – just in case you wish to pay Eurovision Executive Supervisor Martin Österdahl a visit!
In a post after Nemo’s win this year, 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.
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.”
Basel
Basel, a strong cultural hub situated along the border of both France and Germany, is a strong symbol of unity through music. 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). Besides the arena, there are five more halls suitable for the press and other Eurovision events. Boasting an excellent transportation system. Basel is home to an international airport, EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, and is also just one hour away from Zurich’s airport.
Situated on the Rhine River, Basel is Switzerland’s third most populous city after Zurich and Geneva. Considered the cultural capital of the country, the city is home to 40 museums, including the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Kunstmuseum – the oldest public art collection in the world. Basel is also the birthplace of tennis legend Roger Federer – could we see the Maestro make an appearance? Maybe even swapping a racquet for hosting duties?
Potential arena St. Jakobshalle expressed their interest to host the contest early on in a post about next year’s edition:
“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!”
Which city would you prefer to host Eurovision in 2025? Basel or Geneva? Let us know in the comments below.
