The race to host Eurovision 2025 is heating up, as SRG SSR’s German branch SRF confirms four cities are in contention to host next year’s show.
Each city brings different style
In an article posted by SRF, it was revealed that Geneva, Basel, Bern & Biel/Bienne and Zürich are completing bid books to be returned to SRG SSR at the end of the month. The largest cities in the country are all proposing their own bids, with the final decision being made in August.
Switzerland’s capital Bern is set to submit a joint bid to host the Contest with Nemo’s hometown of Biel/Bienne. 7 million CHF (equivalent to €7,316,325.31 or £6,177,080) is being earmarked for a grant to help pull the show together. However, SRF remarked that hotel rooms are limited in both areas – with the airport under particular strain. They added that the proposed location for the show – the Bernexpo site – is still under construction, and could host 9,000 spectators.
Similarly, Basel has opted to submit a bid, using its international co-airport alongside Mulhouse in France as a selling point. As well as this, the city’s artistic flare has grown exponentially in recent years, becoming a party city in Switzerland. The most likely venue for the city would be the St. Jakobshalle, with a capacity of 12,000 people. As well as this, Basel’s local council announced it is working with renowned Swiss communications agency Farner in its bid.
Geneva’s international approach, thanks to the likes of the World Health Organisation, United Nations and the EBU, means it is “not a bad setting” for the Contest, according to SRF. The broadcaster added that with hotels in both Switzerland and neighbouring France available, the 15,000 fans that would enter the Palexpo would have ample accommodation for the show. As well as this, the international airport in Geneva is large enough to handle the influx of fans coming to celebrate the Contest. However, the one issue is that evening entertainment in Geneva is not particularly strong.
Finally, Zürich also bid to host the Contest, with two suitable venues in the city alone – the Hallenstadion, with 15,000 seats and the Swiss Life Arena, which seats 12,000 people. As well as this, being a city of business and trade – the city is packed with hotel rooms and easy connections, thanks to its international airport. On top of this, the city is also home to the largest LGBTQ+ community in the country, with a host of nightlife to keep fans entertained.
No specific details regarding each bid have been released yet, as the cities have until the end of June to return their bid books. SRG SSR will evaluate each candidacy and whittle the list down, with the host city announcement coming in August.
All About Eurovision 2025
Switzerland will be hosting the 69th edition of the competition following Nemo’s historic win at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö. A few weeks after their win, it was already announced that Reto Peritz, and Moritz Stadler will be the Executive Producers of next year’s shows. After this, the other roles to be filled at a later date.
The interested cities in hosting next year’s competition have now received the requirements they would have to meet in order to host next year’s competition. Cities would have until the end of June to submit their bids, with SRG SSR set to reveal the Eurovision 2025 host city by the end of August.
Where would you like Eurovision 2025 to be held? Do you think any of these bids could be ruled out? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky as we head towards Eurovision 2025!
News Source: SRF
Photo Credit: Corinne Cumming / EBU
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