Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Explained
The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is set to be the 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR), the contest will be held in either Basel or Geneva, Switzerland, following the country's victory at the with the song "The Code" by Nemo.[3] This will be the third time that Switzerland has hosted the contest, having done so for the inaugural contest in and the, held in Lugano and Lausanne respectively.
Location
Bidding phase
After Switzerland's win in the 2024 contest, the local authorities of Geneva expressed interest in hosting the 2025 edition at Palexpo and submitted a formal application.[4] [5] On the same day, the president of the Basel-Stadt government, Conradin Cramer, also expressed interest in Basel hosting the 2025 event.[6] On 12 May, Olma Hall in St. Gallen was proposed as a potential venue.[7] [8] On 13 May, Lugano, which hosted the inaugural contest in 1956, ruled out a bid to host in 2025.[9] The president of Bern's cantonal government Philippe Müller expressed his reluctance to host the contest in the de facto Swiss capital,[10] but the cantonal government itself later announced its support in organising the event in Bern.[11] Meanwhile, Zurich's city council held a "high priority" meeting to discuss a bid.[12] [13] On 14 May, Lausanne, which hosted the 1989 contest, ruled out a bid to host in 2025, citing a lack of infrastructure.[14] On 15 May, Biel/Bienne declared its interest to be associated with and co-host the event.[15] On 17 May, the local government of Fribourg stated that it was examining a potential bid.[16] On 5 June, the Basel-Stadt government confirmed that it would bid, proposing St. Jakobshalle and St. Jakob-Park as possible venues.[17] On 6 June, Biel/Bienne and Bern's municipalities announced a joint bid.[18] [19] On 12 June, St. Gallen announced that it would not submit a bid due to not meeting the requirements to host the event.[20]
The host broadcaster SRG SSR launched the bidding process in the week of 27 May 2024, by issuing a list of requirements for interested cities. Basel, Bern, Geneva, and Zurich officially declared their interest and finalised their bids on 28 June.[21] [22] Representatives from the host broadcaster visited the four bidding cities in early July,[23] [24] and on 19 July, Basel and Geneva were shortlisted.[25] The selected host city will be revealed on 30 August.[26]
Key:
Host city Shortlisted Submitted a bid
Provisional list of participating countries
Eligibility for participation in the Eurovision Song Contest requires a national broadcaster with active EBU membership capable of receiving the contest via the Eurovision network and broadcasting it live nationwide. The EBU issues invitations to participate in the contest to all active members. Countries that are a part of the "Big Five" and the host country Switzerland are expected to be automatically allocated a place in the final of the contest, while all other countries will be placed in one of the two semi-finals.
broadcasters from the following countries have publicly confirmed their intention to participate in the 2025 contest. is set to return after a two-year absence.
Other countries
Active EBU members
- On 13 May 2024, the Croatian head of delegation Tomislav Štengl stated his hope that various artists from different genres and ages would apply for the next edition of the Croatian national final.[62] Croatia has organised a national final to select its entry every year since 2019.
- On 17 May 2024, the Czech assistant head of press revealed that a decision on Czech participation in 2025 was made on 10 May, and that it would be ratified and announced after August.[63] [64] Czechia failed to qualify from the second semi-final in 2024 on 9 May.
- On 6 June 2024, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS stated that its participation in 2025 would depend on "structural adjustments" to the organisation of the contest, following the controversies of the 2024 edition, including the disqualification of that year's Dutch entrant, Joost Klein, from the final.[65] A decision is expected to be made in September or October,[66] but the broadcaster additionally commented that the chances of it participating in 2025 are small.[67]
- On 9 March 2024,, editor at RTVSLO, drafted a document detailing the short term future of programming of the broadcaster, with one of the points being a plan to return to selecting Slovene entries for Eurovision through the national final from 2025 until 2028.[68] [69] In and, the broadcaster selected its entries internally, despite originally intending to organise a national final in both years.
Active EBU member broadcasters in,[70],[71] and [72] have so far confirmed non-participation prior to the announcement of the participants list by the EBU.
Non-EBU members
- On 6 June 2024, the broadcaster's general director Shkumbin Ahmetxhekaj sent a formal letter to the EBU requesting an invitation to participate in Eurovision 2025.[73] [74] In August 2024, Kosovar news outlet Albanian: Zëri reported that the EBU rejected RTK's request for an invitation during its General Assembly in July, requiring full EBU membership as a prerequisite to competing in the contest. Ahmetxhekaj later commented that the EBU was "against management changes at RTK", which "negatively" affected the outcome of the invitation request.[75] [76]
Production
The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will be produced by the Swiss national broadcaster Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR). The core team will consist of Reto Peritz and Moritz Stadler as executive producers,[77] and Yves Schifferle as head of show. Reprising their roles from the previous edition are Christer Björkman as head of contest and Tobias Åberg as head of production, with other production personnel including Nadja Burkhardt-Tracol as head of event, Manfred Winz as head of finance, Aurore Chatard as head of security, and Kevin Stuber as head of legal.[78] [79]
The contest's organisation will be restructured for 2025; this was announced by the EBU on 1 July 2024, following a review into the controversies of the 2024 contest.[80] The position of the executive supervisor, held by Martin Österdahl since the, will be renamed as show supervisor, and two new positions were created: the ESC director and the head of brand and commercial. The ESC director will oversee the work of the show supervisor and the head of brand and commercial.[81] [82]
Notes and References
- Web site: 'United By Music' chosen as permanent Eurovision slogan . Eurovision.tv . European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . 2023-11-14 . 2023-11-14.
- Web site: Falk . Simon . 2024-07-03 . Martin Österdahl remains Executive Supervisor for Eurovision 2025 and welcomes new changes to the leadership team . 2024-08-03 . wiwibloggs . en-US.
- Web site: 2024-05-12 . Eurovision 2024 winner's press conference with Nemo . 2024-05-12 . Eurovision.tv . EBU.
- News: L'Eurovision 2025 sera «un défi financier» pour la SSR, Palexpo est déjà sur les rangs pour l'accueillir . Eurovision 2025 will be "a financial challenge" for SSR, Palexpo is already in the running to host it . . 2024-05-12 . 2024-05-12. fr. Nicolas Dufour.
- Web site: Une task force de la SSR se réunira dès lundi pour préparer l'Eurovision 2025 en Suisse . An SSR task force will meet on Monday to prepare for Eurovision 2025 in Switzerland . . fr-CH . 2024-05-13 . 2024-05-15.
- ConradinCramer. 1789578870993129751. Cramer. Conradin. Herzliche Gratulation an Nemo. Warm Congratulations to Nemo. 12 May 2024. 12 May 2024. de-CH.
- Web site: Conte . Davide . 2024-05-12 . Eurovision 2025: Three Cities Aiming to Host Eurovision 2025 . 2024-05-12 . Eurovoix . en-GB.
- Web site: 2024-05-12 . Genf, Basel, St. Gallen: Alle wollen den ESC – doch wer kann? . Geneva, Basel, St. Gallen: Everyone wants Eurovision – but who can? . 2024-05-12 . . de.
- Web site: Farren . Neil . 2024-05-13 . Eurovision 2025: Lugano Rules Out Hosting . 2024-05-13 . Eurovoix . en-GB.
- Web site: 2024-05-13 . Regierungspräsident Müller: 'ESC, bleib fern von Bern!' . District President Müller: 'Eurovision, stay away from Bern!' . 2024-05-14 . 20 Minuten . de.
- Web site: 2024-05-15 . Le Conseil-exécutif félicite Nemo pour sa victoire au Concours Eurovision de la chanson et est ouvert à des candidatures bernoises . 2024-06-03 . be.ch . fr.
- News: Après Genève, Zurich est aussi tentée par l'organisation de l'Eurovision . After Geneva, Zurich is also tempted by the organization of Eurovision . fr-CH . 2024-05-13 . 2024-05-13 . Le Temps.
- Web site: Granger . Anthony . Eurovision 2025: Zurich Examining Bid to Host Eurovision . Eurovoix . 13 May 2024 . 13 May 2024.
- Web site: Andersson . Rafaell . Eurovision 2025: Lausanne Rules Out Hosting . Eurovoix . 14 May 2024.
- Web site: Arrêtés rendus par le Conseil municipal lors de sa séance du 15 mai 2024 . Orders issued by the Municipal Council during its meeting of 15 May 2024 . fr-CH . 2024-05-15 . 2024-05-15 . Biel/Bienne.
- Web site: Farren . Neil . Eurovision 2025: Fribourg Examining Whether to Bid to Host . Eurovoix . 17 May 2024 . 19 May 2024.
- Web site: Granger. Anthony . Eurovision 2025: Basel Confirms it Will Bid to Host Eurovision . Eurovoix . 7 June 2024 . 7 June 2024.
- Web site: Berne et Bienne envisagent une candidature commune pour l'Eurovision 2025. fr. 2024-06-06 . 2024-06-06 . Biel/Bienne.
- Web site: Bern und Biel prüfen gemeinsame Bewerbung für ESC 2025. de. 2024-06-06 . 2024-06-06 . Bern.
- Web site: Granger . Anthony . 2024-06-12 . Eurovision 2025: St. Gallen Will Not Bid to Host Eurovision . 2024-06-12 . Eurovoix . en-GB.
- Web site: Matijasevic . Ana . 2024-06-26 . Buhlen um den ESC 2025: Welche Stadt hat die Nase vorn? . Competing for the ESC 2025: Which city is ahead? . 2024-06-26 . . de-CH.
- Web site: Rauch . Raphael . 2024-06-30 . In welcher Stadt steigt der Schweizer ESC 2025? «Andere haben einen dicken Scheck – wir haben Nemo» . In which city will the Swiss ESC 2025 take place? "Others have a big check – we have Nemo" . 2024-06-30 . . de-CH.
- Web site: 2024-06-26 . Vortrag des Gemeinderats an den Stadtrat Eurovision Song Contest 2025; Verpflichtungskredit . Presentation of the municipal council to the city council: Eurovision Song Contest 2025; Commitment credit . 2024-06-30 . bern.ch . de-CH . Anfangs Juli 2024 finden die Pitch-Präsentationen und allfällige Standortbesichtigungen statt. Ende Juli 2024 wird durch das SRG kommuniziert, welche zwei potenziellen Austragungsstädte noch im Rennen sind (Shortlist). . The pitch presentations and any site visits will take place at the beginning of July 2024. At the end of July 2024, the SRG will announce which two potential host cities are still in the running (shortlist)..
- Web site: Keystone-SDA . 2024-06-29 . Many Swiss unenthusiastic about Eurovision song contest hosting duties . 2024-07-01 . . en-GB.
- Web site: 2024-07-19 . Switzerland 2025: Shortlist of Host Cities down to final two . 2024-07-19 . Eurovision.tv . EBU.
- Web site: Farren . Neil . 2024-07-30 . Eurovision 2025: Host City Announcement on August 30 . 2024-07-30 . Eurovoix . en-GB.
- Web site: Galli . Paolo . Eurosong, Zurigo non si sfila . Eurosong, Zurich doesn't show up. Corriere del Ticino . 13 May 2024 . 13 May 2024 . it.
- Web site: Jiandani . Sanjay . Eurovision 2025: Basel applies to host the contest . ESCToday . 7 June 2024 . 7 June 2024.
- Web site: Granger . Anthony . Eurovision 2025: Bern & Biel/Bienne Reveal Details of Bid . Eurovoix . 27 June 2024 . 27 June 2024.
- Web site: Jiandani . Sanjay . Eurovision 2025: Bern and Biel apply to host the contest . ESCToday . 27 June 2024 . 27 June 2024.
- Web site: Granger . Anthony . Eurovision 2025: Geneva Aims to Host Eurovision 2025 . Eurovoix . 12 May 2024.
- Web site: Jiandani . Sanjay . Eurovision 2025: St. Gallen will not bid to host the contest. ESCToday . 13 June 2024 . 13 June 2024.
- Web site: Jiandani . Sanjay. Eurovision 2025: Zurich officially applies to host the contest. ESCToday . 27 June 2024 . 27 June 2024.
- Web site: Farren . Neil . 2024-06-27 . Eurovision 2025: Zurich Reveals Details of Bid . 2024-06-28 . Eurovoix . en-GB.
- Web site: Mancheño . José Miguel . 2024-06-11 . Elhaida Dani será la directora artística del Festivali i Këngës 63 . Elhaida Dani will be the Artistic Director of Festivali i Këngës 63 . 2024-06-11 . ESCplus España . es . La cantante vencedora de la competición albanesa y representante del país en el Festival de Eurovisión 2015 asume la dirección del certamen donde se elegirá la propuesta del país del próximo año. . The winner of the Albanian contest and the country's representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 takes over the leadership of the contest where the country's entry for next year's Eurovision Song Contest will be chosen..
- Web site: 2024-05-01 . Festivali i Këngës, zbulohet surpriza e këtij viti: "Një nga netët do i dedikohet 20 pjesëmarrjeve në Eurovizion" . Festivali i Këngës, this year's surprise is revealed: "One of the nights will be dedicated to the 20 participations in Eurovision" . 2024-06-11 . . en.
- Web site: Ude . Christian . 2024-05-13 . ESC in der Schweiz: ORF will auch 2025 intern den ESC-Act entscheiden . ESC in Switzerland: ORF also wants to decide the ESC act internally in 2025 . 2024-05-13 . . de-AT.
- Web site: Granger . Anthony . 2024-08-03 . Azerbaijan: Eurovision 2025 Participation Confirmed With Call for Submissions . 2024-08-06 . Eurovoix . en-GB.
- Web site: 2024-05-08 . VRT behoudt preselectie 'Eurosong' voor Songfestival 2025 . VRT retains preselection 'Eurosong' for Song Contest 2025 . 2024-05-13 . Songfestival.be . nl.
- Web site: Jiandani . Sanjay . 2024-07-12 . Cyprus: CyBC confirms participation at Eurovision 2025 . 2024-07-12 . ESCToday . en.
- Web site: Bøgen Clausen . Jacob . Dansk Melodi Grand Prix og børnenes MGP 2025 holdes i Jyske Bank Boxen . Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and Junior MGP 2025 will be held at Jyske Bank Boxen . 2024-05-06 . 2024-05-06 . . da.
- Web site: 2024-06-03 . UMK25-haku alkaa elokuussa – Katso hakupäivät ja säännöt! . UMK25 application starts in August – See application dates and rules! . 2024-06-03 . . fi.
- Web site: Dijk . Sem Anne Van . 2024-08-01 . France: Eurovision 2025 Participation Confirmed . 2024-08-10 . Eurovoix . en.
- Web site: Jiandani . Sanjay . 2024-05-27 . Germany: ARD confirms participation at Eurovision 2025 . 2024-05-27 . ESCToday . en.
- Web site: Mizrahi . Dorit Assaraf . 2024-07-23 . בפעם השמינית: הנציג לאירוויזיון ייבחר בתכנית "הכוכב הבא" . For the eighth time: the Eurovision representative will be chosen in the program "The Next Star" . 2024-07-24 . . he.
- Web site: Gil . Meshali . 2024-07-23 . בפעם השמינית: הנציג לאירוויזיון ייבחר בתכנית "הכוכב הבא" . For the eighth time: the Eurovision representative will be chosen in the program "The Next Star" . 2024-07-24 . . he.
- Web site: 2024-07-10 . Italia participará en Eurovisión 2025 . Italy will participate in Eurovision 2025 . 2024-07-10 . Eurofestivales . es.
- Web site: 2024-07-16 . Letonia participará en Eurovisión 2025. Latvia will participate in Eurovision 2025 . 2024-07-16 . Eurofestivales . es.
- Web site: Lukošienė . Raminta . 2024-06-13 . Pasirodžius Petro Gražulio peticijai prieš Lietuvos dalyvavimą 'Eurovizijoje' – LRT atsakas: pasakė, ar planuotų trauktis . After the appearance of Petras Gražulis' petition against Lithuania's participation in 'Eurovision' – LRT's response: they said whether they plan to withdraw . 2024-06-13 . . lt.
- Web site: 2024-08-13 . Prasideda registracija į „EUROVIZIJA.LT“: ankstesnė atranka – daugiau laiko kūrybai . EUROVIZIJA.LT registration opens: earlier selection – more time to create . 2024-08-13 . . lt.
- Web site: 2024-05-07 . Xavier Bettel félicite Tali: «Tellement fier de toi» . 2024-06-10 . L'essentiel . fr . Rien ne s'oppose non plus à un «Concours luxembourgeois de la chanson», la volonté est là. «Nous préparons et recherchons le prochain candidat pour aller en Suisse», a déclaré Gloesener. . Nor is there anything to oppose a 'Luxembourg Song Competition', the will is there. 'We are preparing and looking for the next candidate to go to Switzerland,' said Gloesener..
- Web site: 2024-05-06 . MESC Music Exchange Camp – Regulations . 2024-05-13 . . 6 . en . The compositions (lyrics and music) created during the MEC [The Malta Eurovision Song Contest Music Exchange Camp] 2024 must not be commercially released before the next edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2025 and the Malta Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2024.
- Web site: 2024-08-16 . Montenegro will return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025 . 2024-08-16 . Eurovision.tv . EBU . en.
- Web site: Hyttebakk . Jon Marius . 2024-08-06 . NRK klar for et nytt år med MGP og Eurovision . NRK ready for a new year with MGP and Eurovision . 2024-08-06 . . nb-NO.
- Web site: 2024-08-14 . RTP anuncia participação no Eurovision Song Contest 2025 . RTP announces participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 . 2024-08-14 . . pt-PT.
- Web site: 2024-07-31 . Aperte le iscrizioni per Una Voce per San Marino: chi rappresenterà il Titano all'Eurovision? . Entries are open for Una Voce per San Marino: who will represent the Titan at Eurovision? . 2024-07-31 . . it.
- Web site: 2024-07-18 . RTS raspisuje konkurs za izbor kompozicije koja će predstavljati Srbiju na Pesmi Evrovizije 2025. . RTS is announcing a contest for the selection of the composition that will represent Serbia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 . 2024-07-18 . . sr.
- Web site: 2024-05-08 . El plazo para enviar canciones para el Benidorm Fest 2025 comenzará el 20 de mayo . The deadline for submitting songs for Benidorm Fest 2025 will begin on May 20th . 2024-05-13 . . es.
- Web site: Jiandani . Sanjay . 2024-06-20 . Sweden: SVT confirms participation at Eurovision 2025 . 2024-06-20 . ESCToday . en.
- Web site: 2024-07-03 . Eurovision Song Contest 2025: Wer vertritt die Schweiz? . Who will represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025? . 2024-07-04 . . de-CH.
- Web site: 2024-07-25 . United Kingdom: Eurovision 2025 Participation Confirmed . 2024-07-25 . Eurovoix . en-GB.
- Web site: 2024-05-13 . Štengl: Politika na Eurosongu je neizbježan faktor . Štengl: Politics at the Eurovision Song Contest is an inevitable factor . 2024-05-15 . . hr . Štengl je rekao kako novi proces kreće čim se malo odmore. Idemo raditi nove prijedloge ugovora, otvoriti novi natječaj uz nadu da će se na valu LET 3, Baby Lasagne prijavljivati izvođači svih različitih vrsta glazbe, mladi, stari. Tko god ima dobar proizvod, neka se prijavi, rekao je. . Štengl said that the new process starts as soon as they rest a little. "We are going to work on new contract proposals, open a new competition with the hope that performers of all different types of music, young and old, will apply for the wave started by Let 3 and Baby Lasagna. Whoever has a good product should apply," he said..
- 2024-05-17 . 1791465360627012016 . en-GB . With every bit of information coming up. I am More and more proud of our 38 . AhmadHalloun.
- 2024-05-17 . 1791470695991427129 . en-GB . It's not up to me. A decision was made in May 10th. Will be ratified and announced after August. . AhmadHalloun.
- Web site: 2024-06-06 . Update AVROTROS met betrekking tot het Eurovisie Songfestival . AVROTROS update regarding the Eurovision Song Contest . 2024-06-06 . . nl, en.
- Web site: van Eenennaam . Alexander . 2024-08-12 . Dat Joost Klein nu niet vervolgd wordt, is opsteker voor AvroTros: ‘We willen concrete maatregelen’ . The fact that Joost Klein is now not being prosecuted is a boost for AVROTROS: 'We want concrete measures' . registration . 2024-08-13 . . nl . AvroTros verwacht in september of oktober uitsluitsel te kunnen geven. . AVROTROS expects to be able to give a definitive answer in September or October..
- Web site: 2024-07-18 . Anouk wil meedoen, maar AVROTROS noemt kans op deelname songfestival 2025 'klein' . Anouk wants to participate, but AVROTROS calls chances of participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 'small' . 2024-07-18 . . nl.
- Web site: Galunič . Mario . 9 March 2024 . Program dela in vizija razvoja uredniško producentske enote – Razvedrilni program v produkcijski enoti Televizija Slovenija . Work program and development vision of the editorial production unit – Entertainment program in the production unit of Televizija Slovenija . sl . 19 March 2024 . RTVSLO .
- Web site: Davies. Meg. Slovenia: Return to EMA Planned For 2025. Eurovoix. 2024-04-28. 2024-04-28.
- Web site: Jiandani . Sanjay . 2024-06-26 . Andorra: RTVA will not compete at Eurovision 2025 . 2024-06-26 . ESCToday . en.
- Web site: Jiandani . Sanjay . 2024-07-17 . Bosnia & Herzegovina: BHRT will not participate at Eurovision 2025 . 2024-07-17 . ESCToday . en.
- Web site: Granger . Anthony . 2024-04-08 . Slovakia: RTVS Will Not Participate in Eurovision 2025 Due to Budget Cuts . 2024-04-08 . Eurovoix . en-gb.
- Web site: 2024-06-12 . RTK aplikon që të ftohet në Eurovizion 2025 . RTK applies to be invited to Eurovision 2025 . 2024-06-12 . . sq.
- Web site: Kosovo: RTK Requests Invitation to Eurovision 2025 . James . Stephenson . Eurovoix . 2024-06-13 . 2024-06-13.
- Web site: Limani . A. . 2024-08-09 . Kërkesa e RTK-së për pjesëmarrje në Eurovision merr përgjigje negative . RTK's request for participation in Eurovision receives a negative response . 2024-08-09 . Zëri . sq.
- Web site: Stephenson . James . 2024-08-09 . Kosovo: Application for Eurovision 2025 Rejected . 2024-08-13 . Eurovoix.
- Estermann . Edi . 2024-06-04 . Eurovision Song Contest 2025: Executive producers named . 2024-06-04 . SRG SSR . en.
- Web site: 2024-07-03 . Switzerland 2025: Core project team is in place . 2024-07-03 . Eurovision.tv . EBU.
- Estermann . Edi . 2024-07-03 . ESC 2025: the core project team is in place . 2024-07-03 . SRG SSR.
- Web site: 2024-07-01 . EBU announces future development areas for Eurovision Song Contest following independent review into 2024 event . 2024-07-01 . ebu.ch . EBU . en.
- Web site: Yossman . K. J. . 2024-07-01 . Eurovision Song Contest Creates New Director Role, Beefs Up Rules and Considers Introducing Welfare Producer Following Independent Review (EXCLUSIVE) . 2024-07-01 . Variety . en-US.
- Web site: Adessi . Antonio . 2024-07-20 . Eurovision 2025: l'EBU cerca un ESC Director. Martin Österdahl resta Show Supervisor . Eurovision 2025: the EBU is looking for an ESC Director. Martin Österdahl remains Show Supervisor . 2024-07-21 . Eurofestival News . it.