The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is gearing up for one of its first major events: the Semi-Final Allocation Draw and the Host City Handover Ceremony, which will take place in Basel, Switzerland, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 12:30 CET. This exciting moment will be streamed live, offering fans worldwide a glimpse into the preparations for the big event in May.
Hosts: Jennifer Bosshard and Jan van Ditzhuijzen
Guiding us through the event will be two remarkable hosts, Jennifer Bosshard and Jan van Ditzhuijzen.
•Jennifer Bosshard, a Swiss journalist and TV presenter, is no stranger to Eurovision or Swiss television. As a seasoned professional with SRF, she has covered various entertainment events, earning her a reputation for her eloquence and charm. Jennifer’s connection to Eurovision makes her a natural fit for this occasion, and her involvement reflects the host nation’s dedication to creating a warm, inclusive atmosphere.
•Joining Jennifer is Jan van Ditzhuijzen, a current student at the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons, has been chosen to co-host the Eurovision 2025 Semi-Final Allocation Draw alongside Jennifer Bosshard. This unique opportunity stems from a partnership with the university’s Multimedia Production program, which is spearheading the broadcast of the event. Expressing his excitement, van Ditzhuijzen shared, “I only found out a month ago that I would be taking on this role. I’ve never moderated anything this significant before, and I’m thrilled to collaborate on this project with the team from my university.
Together, Jennifer and Jan bring a mix of professionalism, humor, and Eurovision passion to what promises to be a memorable event.


Host City Handover Ceremony: Basel Takes the Baton
A time-honored Eurovision tradition, the Host City Handover Ceremony symbolizes the official passing of the Eurovision torch. This year, a representative from Malmö, Sweden, the host city of Eurovision 2024, will ceremoniously pass the Eurovision insignia to Basel, marking the city’s debut as a Eurovision host.

Semi-Final Allocation Draw: Key Details
The Semi-Final Allocation Draw is a vital step in the Eurovision process, determining which countries will perform in each semi-final and their performance order (first or second half). To ensure fairness and excitement, the 31 participating nations will be sorted into five allocation pots, based on historical voting patterns, which help reduce bloc voting.
Here’s how the countries are grouped in the allocation pots:
•Pot 1: Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Netherlands
•Pot 2: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Israel, Poland, Ukraine
•Pot 3: Albania, Austria, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia
•Pot 4: Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Portugal, San Marino
•Pot 5: Australia, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden
Each country will be allocated to either the First Semi-Final on May 13 or the Second Semi-Final on May 15, with 10 countries from each advancing to the Grand Final. The draw will also determine which semi-final the Big Five (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and the host nation, Switzerland, will vote in.
You can join the live draw on Youtube.
A Historic Eurovision in Basel
Basel, renowned for its architectural beauty and cultural richness, is embracing its role as host city with enthusiasm. This event not only highlights the city’s unique identity but also sets the stage for an unforgettable Eurovision experience under the banner of “United by Music.”
The excitement surrounding the ceremony marks the first major step toward the Grand Final on May 17, 2025.
Fans can tune in to the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel to watch the Semi-Final Allocation Draw and Host City Handover Ceremony live on January 28. The event promises to give viewers a taste of the incredible show that awaits in Basel.
With Jennifer Bosshard and Jan van Ditzhuijzen at the helm, the Eurovision spirit is alive and thriving. Basel is ready to welcome Europe and the world for what promises to be an extraordinary celebration of music and unity. Let the countdown to Eurovision 2025 begin!
Are you excited to see Jennifer Bosshard and Jan van Ditzhuijzen take the stage as hosts for the Semi-Final Allocation Draw? What are your thoughts on Basel’s preparations to host Eurovision 2025? And which countries are you hoping will make it through the semi-finals?
Let us know in the comments below and join the conversation as we countdown to what promises to be an unforgettable Eurovision season!