The final decision on the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 has been narrowed down to Geneva and Basel. Zurich and the joint bid from Bern and Biel have been eliminated from the competition. The final decision will be announced by the end of August.
The decision-making process involves a steering committee from SRG SSR, which includes key members such as Director General Gilles Marchand, Nathalie Wappler (Director of SRF), Mario Timbal (Director of RSI), Beat Grossenbacher (Head of Finance at SRG), and Bakel Walden (Director of Development & Offering at SRG). The decision is made in collaboration with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to ensure that the selected city meets all necessary criteria.
Hosting Eurovision is expected to bring significant economic benefits. The contest brought €62 million in added value to Liverpool in 2023, highlighting the potential financial boost for the host city.
Geneva’s Proposal
Geneva’s bid has been welcomed with great enthusiasm. Christina Kitsos, a city official, expressed immense satisfaction, highlighting the collaborative effort with Palexpo, Geneva Tourism, and other local stakeholders to ensure an unforgettable event. State Councillor Thierry Apothéloz emphasized the ongoing collaboration to make the 2025 edition remarkable. Geneva’s Palexpo can host up to 15,000 spectators, supported by excellent accommodation options and an international airport. The city is emphasizing its cosmopolitan appeal and readiness to welcome the Eurovision community. Geneva’s international reputation and the presence of the EBU headquarters strengthen its bid.
Basel’s Competitive Edge
Basel is equally thrilled to be a finalist. The government of Basel-Stadt is eager to demonstrate its capacity to host major international events. In the next phase, Basel authorities will engage in concrete contract negotiations with SRG SSR. If selected, Basel will propose a budget of CHF 30 to 35 million for infrastructure, security, and transport. Basel’s bid leverages its experience in hosting large-scale events like Art Basel. The proposed venues include the St. Jakobshalle, which accommodates 12,400 people, and the adjacent St. Jakob Park for the Eurovision Village. Basel plans to temporarily reinforce the roof of the St. Jakobshalle to meet the requirements if selected.
Zurich and Bern/Biel’s Reactions
In Zurich, the disappointment is palpable. Despite presenting a strong bid with attractive venues and infrastructure, including the 15,000-capacity Hallenstadion, Zurich was not selected. Zurich’s bid was supported by a CHF 20 million credit framework approved by the city parliament.
In Bern, the decision to exclude the joint Bern/Biel bid has pleased opponents who viewed Basel and Geneva as more suitable hosts. The planned venue in Bern was still under construction, adding to the challenges faced by this bid.
Opinion
This decision gives the feeling that the SRG, PwC, and EBU have overlooked some realities. Geneva only has a few places to go out, and not all benefits will go to Switzerland but to neighboring countries. Most of all, Geneva is not as LGBTQ-friendly as Zurich, and Basel is only slightly better in that sense. The Cité de Calvin has a catastrophic public transport system and overloaded traffic, especially given its small size. The venues are much less suitable than the Hallenstadion and Zurich Messe combo, but we are where we are. We will have a final answer in August.
Eurovoxx Coverage
Eurovoxx has been closely following the bidding process, providing detailed articles on each city’s proposal. We will continue to share more insights and cover the underlying reasons behind the decisions. Stay tuned for more updates on Eurovoxx.tv.
What are your thoughts on Geneva and Basel as the finalists for hosting Eurovision 2025? Which city do you believe has the best shot at hosting? Share your opinions and join the conversation below!
Sources:
