Shortly after it was announced that Basel will host the 2025 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, the city and organisers have given further details about how the Swiss city was selected to host next year’s contest.
The plans for Basel
In an interview with Swiss news outlet Blick, one of the producers for Eurovision 2025 Reto Peritz has given some insight into how Basel was picked as the host of next year’s contest, as well as how the contest will be created.
The Basel-born producer revealed that Basel’s plan for the whole city to embrace the contest was a strong factor in the decision to give the city the greenlight. With regards to the venue, while acknowledging that the PalExpo in Geneva was a suitable and larger venue, the fact extra time that Basel’s St. Jakobshalle could become available, and the advantages of being a purpose built arena outweighed the disadvantages with size.
There will never be an ESC that 100% of people think is great. But I am convinced that the decision to award it to Basel delights the Swiss even more.
Reto Peritz, co-producer for Eurovision 2025
The referendum risk and funding
When questioned about the 35 million Franc budget for next year’s contest Peritz expressed that it was too early give an exact idea of how much the relevant parties would pay until sponsorships, and participation fees are finalised in the coming months.
The topic of the potential referendums being discussed by the SVP, who are opposed to public funds going to Eurovision, was raised. Peritz believed that in the event a referendum were to be called that he is confident the city would overwhelmingly back the contest; but noted that neither he not SSR SRG would campaign for it, believing it to be a decision purely for the city.
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, Reto Peritz, and Moritz Stadler, was announced as the Executive Producers, with the other roles revealed in July 2024.
Basel, Bern & Biel/Bienne, Geneva, and Zurich submitted bids to host next year’s competition, with Basel and Geneva being shortlisted as the final two cities. After the shortlist, it was revealed that Basel will host Eurovision 2025, at St. Jakobshalle with the shows taking place on May 13, 15 and 17.
What do you think about Basel’s plans? Do you plan on going to the contest next year? As always, let us know what you think by commenting down below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all the latest Eurovision news!
Photo Credit: Christoph Radtke / Wikimedia
News Source: Blick
Giwrgos Oiko