Very soon now, the first participants will take to the stage in Basel, with the rehearsals officially starting, while the city will be welcoming visitors and viewers from all of Europe to a spectacular show. In the recent days, we’ve got to learn a lot more what to expect for the upcoming 2025 contest. That is why, we’ll do a quick recap now, of what you can expect whether you’ll be watching it all from home or from the host city itself.
🇨🇭 Welcome to Basel 2025 🇨🇭
Home watchers – Interval acts and the show
For everyone who won’t or can’t afford to make the trip to Basel, the wait might be a bit longer, but the hype will also last longer. As usual, 3 live shows will take place, with the 2 semi-finals and the grand final.
Other than waiting for the 37 contestants to take the stage, the hosts will also welcome viewers to a spectacular show, which will showcase the importance of the contest, as well as the Swiss musical culture. Each show will even embrace their very own theme, under the special made slogan “Welcome Home“, which will embrace the fact, that the contest now 69 year long history, started in Switzerland.
The theme for each show are as follows:
- First Semi-final – May 13th: Where it all began – This show will mainly focus on the Swiss culture and that start of the contest.
- Second Semi-final – May 15th: Eurovision Fans – This show will celebrate everyone who tune in to watch and enjoy the show.
- Grand Final – May 17th: Let’s Celebrate A New Winner – This is where all the excitement will be, as we crown the new champion, all together.
Of course, as pointed out before, the show won’t just be the themes and the participants. Viewers will also be treated with some special performances from both past Swiss participants, as well as past participants from around Europe.
Among the past Swiss participants, we will be seeing Paola – who represented Switzerland in 1969 & 1980 – Peter Reber – who represented Switzerland 1971, 1976, 1979 & 1981 as part of Peter, Sue & Marc – Luca Hänni – who represented Switzerland in 2019 – and finally Gjon’s Tears – who represented Switzerland in 2021. Together, they will perform a medley of past Swiss entries.
That is not all, far from it actually, since there will also be international guest performances as well. Among them, we find The Roop – who represented Lithuania, Efendi – who represented Azerbaijan and Destiny – who represented Malta, all 3 very originally selected for the cancelled 2020 contest, but all got re-selected for 2021 as well. There will also be some public darlings, as well as past winners on the stage, which will include Käärijä – Finland 2023, Baby Lasagna – Croatia 2024, Jørgen Olsen – Denmark 2000 and of course our reigning champion Nemo – Switzerland 2024.
There are far more surprises that still remain hidden, but those are expected to be revealed with time, so as always, it will be an unforgettable show and worth the watch!
Visitors – Where to go?
On the other hand, if you’re one of the people who actually can make the trip to Basel, then you’re in for a treat! The Swiss host city has prepared a plethora of options, during the main Eurovision week! It’ll be difficult to mention them all just now, so we’ll fill you in with the possibilities, and then you can fill in the holes that fits your schedule the best!
To mention a few, there will be the following options:
- Opening Ceremony: 11th May
- Eurovision Village: 10th – 17th May
- Eurovision Street and Boulevard
- Eurovision Square
- Euroclub & Café: 10th – 17th May
- Arena Plus: 17th May
The Opening Ceremony will be one very special event this year, expected to be the longest in Eurovision history. This event is free and open to everyone in public, so grab the chance to say hi to your personal favorite this year, or maybe greet all of this year’s acts! The starting point will be by city’s town hall and finish at the congress center, which is where the Village will be located.
Speaking of the Eurovision Village, this place will feature loads of guest performances from various acts as well, both past Swiss and other European acts, as well as some of this year’s participants. To name a few, former Swiss Eurovision participants expected to take the stage, will include Remo Forrer(2023), Luca Hänni(2019), 2017(Timebelle), Sinplus (2012) and Anna Rossinelli(2011). Conchita Wurst(Austria 2014) & Michael Schulte(Germany 2018) are also expected to take this stage during the week.
Eurovision Street, Square and Boulevard will all offer more variety, whether it’s restaurants, events or music style, all will serve as perfect meeting places, for various activities.
If you’re in Basel for the parties, then Euroclub and Cafe will be the place for you. The cafe will act as an early meeting place during the day, while the club will have you dancing all night long. This year’s participant and delegations will drop by to perform, or even party along with the fans.
Finally, there is the main event, which is the Eurovision Song Contest and the side event, which is the Arena Plus. The competition will be held inside the St. Jakobshalle this year, with tickets for daily shows from the 12th of May, and until the 17th of May. If you weren’t lucky enough to get one of those tickets, then there is also the Arena Plus event literally right next door. Where Baby Lasagna, Luca Hänni, Anna Rossinelli, Kate Ryan and DJ Antoine will warm up the crowd, before the huge watch party that will take place, inside this arena. This is also where we will hear the last set of 12 points, on the night of the final, from the Swiss juries.
Quite a lot! Sounds difficult already to keep track of everything, if just there was a solution to all of this. This is where we announce, that there is a solution!
The organizers have created an app, that can keep track of ALL events for you! Going under the name Basel – Welcome Home which is available on the Google Play store and on the Apple app store, you’ll always have a full plan of all the events ready in your pocket.
If there are more you wish to learn or know, while in Basel, then we do recommend the website of the city, which does provide further details regarding public transport, perks and much more.
Are #YOU getting ready for the contest and what do #YOU have for plans during the Eurovision Week?
Let’s hear from #YOU on our forum site right HERE, or visit us on Facebook, X(Twitter), Instagram, Youtube, TikTok and Discord.
Source(s): Eurovision.TV
