Geneva, Basel, Zurich and Bern are applying to host the Eurovision Song Contest. Who has the best chances?
Geneva, Basel, Zurich – Switzerland’s largest cities are raring to go to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The application dossiers are still being polished up, and the deadline is Friday.
Anyone who wants to hear rock and pop in the city can submit their concept to the SRG and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and hope for global media presence, millions in sales and a mega party.
The decision will be made at the end of August, and the jury will remain out until then. Which city has what it takes to be a model host? The advantages and disadvantages of the candidate cities.
Bern (with Biel?): Charming and ambitious
After a small social media scandal that temporarily made Bern appear to be opposed to the ESC, it is now clear that the government is united behind the application. Bern wants the ESC, probably together with Biel.
Today, a CHF 7 million grant is still being discussed. The planned event location? Still a construction site, but planned for April 2025 on the Bernexpo site. Capacity: 9,000 spectators. The airport? Small. The choice of hotels? Limited. It’s all going to be a bit tight – in terms of time and space.
Basel: Creative and determined
Basel likes colorful events and bling-bling: Thanks to Art Basel and Fasnacht, the city has experience with large-scale events. To spice up the application dossier, Basel is bringing the communications agency Farner on board and is showing its ambition in the media: “It would be great and honorable,” says government spokesman Marco Geiner.
Basel is likely to be in the running with the St. Jakobshalle (12,000 seats). The airport may be modest, but it serves its purpose. The location in the border triangle is convenient and the party culture? Anyone who has ever been to Art Week knows that the people of Basel are good at pop-up parties.
Geneva: Elegant and international
The city where the International Radio Union was founded and where the European Broadcasting Union now resides – not a bad setting for the ESC.
The strategically favorable location on the French border means that fans can find cheap hotels and vacation apartments, which can then travel to the city of watches and diplomats by bus or train. Geneva also has an international airport. And the Palexpo, a gigantic hall, has space for 15,000 cheering fans. The only drawback is that the nighttime program is a little short in Geneva – but Lausanne could help out.
Zurich: opulent and cosmopolitan
Largest halls, good connections, international airport: Zurich, Switzerland’s banking hotspot and champagne oasis, is competing with the Hallenstadion (15,000 seats) and the Swiss Life Arena (12,000 seats) and with the help of the communications agency Furrerhugi.
An army of hotels, clubs and bars as well as the largest LGBTQ+ community in Switzerland round off Zurich’s glamorous package. The pretty city is at the top of many votes and could win the ESC crown in 2025.
SRF 1, G&G, June 18, 2024, 6:35 p.m.