Your guide to Basel, Eurovision Host City 2025

30 August 2024: Today, Eurovision officials have announced that Basel, Switzerland will host the 69th Eurovision Song Contest - the third time the event has been hosted in Switzerland since the very first Song Contest was held in Lugano in 1956.

Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will be held at St Jakobshalle on 13th, 15th and 17th May 2025.

Martin Österdahl, executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest said: “The EBU is thrilled that Basel has been selected as the Host City for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The Contest was born in Switzerland in Lugano back in 1956 and it’s great to be bringing it back to its birthplace almost 70 years later.”

“Basel’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe makes it the ideal setting for an event that celebrates the power of music to connect people across borders.

“With its unique blend of tradition and innovation, Basel reflects the spirit of the Eurovision Song Contest. The city’s exceptional St. Jakobshalle venue and outstanding hospitality will ensure a memorable experience for delegations, artists and fans alike.

“Following Contests in the Italian and French speaking parts of the country in 1956 and 1989 we’re also excited to bring the Eurovision Song Contest to German Switzerland for the very first time.”

“Together with Host Broadcaster SRG SSR and the city of Basel we will create a spectacular celebration of music on the banks of the River Rhine that resonates far beyond the stage.”

Basel: A Riverside Hub of Art and Culture

Set on the banks of the River Rhine, Basel's location on the border of France and Germany makes it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding regions. The city’s excellent public transport system and proximity to the breathtaking beauty of the Alps also provide easy access to scenic day trips and outdoor adventures - although with so much to do in the city, there’s little reason to leave.

From its impressive museums and galleries to vibrant street art and immersive cultural events, Basel is one of the most art-rich cities in Europe. In fact, the city has over 40 museums in just 37 square kilometres, giving it the highest concentration of museums in the country and one of the highest in Europe. Basel’s world-class institutions such as the Fondation Beyeler, Kunstmuseum Basel, and the Tinguely Museum house everything from classical masterpieces to contemporary artworks, making it one of the most diverse cities for art-lovers to enjoy.

Beyond its cultural offerings, Basel hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year, making it a lively destination for tourists. Art Basel, one of the world’s leading contemporary art fairs, attracts thousands of visitors every June, transforming the city into a global hub for creativity. Additionally, the city's Christmas markets are among the most beautiful in Europe, offering a festive atmosphere that’s hard to resist.

Helpful and fun things to know when planning a trip to Basel

●     The city has over 40 museums in just 37 square kilometres, giving it the highest concentration of museums in the country and one of the highest in Europe. The city itself can feel like a museum, with wonderful street art around every corner and a new digital art and augmented reality tour - ARTour.

●     The Rhine River runs through Basel, dividing the city into two parts: Grossbasel on the left bank and Kleinbasel on the right bank. Swimming in the Rhine’s clear waters is a regional pastime, and in August there is a yearly swim event that attracts hundreds of swimmers.

●     The city’s geographic location between Vosges, the Black Forest and the Jura Mountains means Basel receives an exceptional amount of sunshine and one of the warmest climates in Switzerland.

●     The Dreiländereck is a monument in Basel, Switzerland. It marks the tripoint where the borders of France, Germany and Switzerland meet. The France–Germany border, the Germany–Switzerland border and France–Switzerland border meet there.

●     Basel is known for its blend of architecture, showcasing everything from well-preserved medieval buildings such as the gothic Basel Minster with its colourful tile roof to sleek modern constructions such as the striking Messe Basel exhibition centre designed by Herzog & de Meuron.

●     There’s a diverse offering of accommodation options in the city, including the iconic Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois - one of Switzerland’s oldest hotels and host to famous guests such as the Dalai-Lama, Queen Elizabeth II, Napolean Bonaparte and Charles Dickens.

●     All hotel guests in Basel receive a free Basel Card, which offers free public transportation within the city, as well as discounts on admission to museums, attractions, and cultural events.

For more information about Basel, visit www.basel.com

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Editors notes

Basel, Switzerland, is city of exciting contrasts. Modern day architecture sits alongside historical buildings and a young and dynamic art scene exists alongside world-renowned museums.

With 40 museums, the highest concentration of museums in the country, Basel is regarded as Switzerland's cultural capital and is also the home of the well-known international art fair – Art Basel.

Classic modernism meets street art in Basel. You can find art around every corner throughout the city - Pablo Picasso, Jonathan Borofsky and Jean Tinguely are just a few of the artists who enrich the cityscape with their works.

With an event calendar filled with festivals, street parties, open-air concerts and open-air cinemas, it is a city that loves the outdoor life. At the heart of this lies the Rhine river, Basel’s unofficial emblem and where tourists and locals alike flock to in spring and summer.