Eurovision Preview 2025
The 69th Eurovision Song Contest is gearing up to capture the imagination of audiences across Europe and around the world as it heads to Basel, Switzerland, from May 13 to May 17, 2025. Let’s take a look at the upcoming event!
This marks Switzerland’s first time hosting the competition since 1989, following Nemo’s groundbreaking victory in 2024 with the song ‘The Code,’ which brought the trophy back to the country where Eurovision first began in 1956. The Grand Final will take place on May 17 at the renowned St. Jakobshalle arena, an indoor venue with a capacity of 12,400, well known for hosting major sports events and concerts. The semi-finals will be held on May 13 and 15, with rehearsals, press events, and fan activities filling the days between. As Basel prepares to welcome an influx of fans, delegations, journalists, and performers, the atmosphere in the city is already electric, with banners, posters, and rehearsals turning the Swiss city into the beating heart of European music for one unforgettable week.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will feature 37 participating countries. Among these are the so-called ‘Big Five’, these being France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. These nations, due to their financial contributions to the European Broadcasting Union, automatically qualify for the final, along with host nation Switzerland. The other countries will have to battle their way through the semi-finals to earn one of the coveted 26 spots in the Grand Final. As always, the voting system combines a 50/50 split between professional juries and public televoting in the final, while the semi-finals are decided entirely by public votes. Fans can expect nail-biting moments on both nights, with unpredictable results that have become a hallmark of the competition.
Read about our Top 10 Moments in Eurovision History here.
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Among the standout entries this year, Sweden is emerging as a clear frontrunner with its representative, KAJ, a Finnish-Swedish comedy trio, performing the song ‘Bara Bada Bastu.’ The track, a playful and humorous ode to the Swedish sauna culture, marks the country’s first entry in Swedish since 1998, delighting fans who have long called for a return to national languages on the Eurovision stage. Despite its light-hearted nature, the song has proven musically sophisticated and has captivated audiences in pre-Eurovision events, topping many betting odds charts.
Austria’s representative, Johannes Pietsch, better known as JJ, is bringing an entirely different flavour to the contest with his operatic-pop fusion track ‘Wasted Love.’ JJ, a trained tenor, has combined the soaring drama of classical opera with contemporary electronic beats, creating a captivating and emotional performance that has been widely praised for its originality. Austria, which famously won in 2014 with Conchita Wurst’s ‘Rise Like a Phoenix,’ seems eager to return to the winner’s circle, and JJ’s entry might just be their ticket.
France has also entered the contest with high hopes. Louane, a well-known French pop singer and actress, will perform ‘Maman’, a deeply personal ballad dedicated to her late parents. With her emotive voice and a staging concept reportedly centred around vulnerability and nostalgia, Louane’s entry has resonated with fans and juries alike during preview shows. France, despite being one of the original Eurovision participants, has not won since 1977, making this year’s strong showing all the more anticipated by the French delegation and their supporters.
One of the most compelling and emotionally charged stories of the 2025 contest comes from Israel. Yuval Raphael, who survived the tragic 2023 Nova Festival attack, is set to represent his country with the song ‘New Day Will Rise.’ The entry is written in both Hebrew and English and Raphael’s personal story has already made headlines internationally, and his performance is expected to be one of the most anticipated moments of the contest.
The excitement surrounding Eurovision is never limited to the arena alone, and Basel is pulling out all the stops to ensure visitors and locals alike can join the celebration. The Eurovision Village, a dedicated fan zone, will open its doors on May 10 and run through the final on May 17. Located in one of Basel’s central squares, the Village will host live screenings of all shows, public performances by local and international artists, food trucks, cultural showcases, and sponsor activations. It is expected to become a bustling hub of activity, attracting tens of thousands of fans throughout the week.
Another highlight for superfans is the ‘House of Helvetia,’ an intimate fan event series hosted at the Helvetia Campus auditorium. Running parallel to the main Eurovision week, it will feature exclusive performances, artist Q&A sessions, meet-and-greet opportunities, and behind-the-scenes insights with around twenty of the competing acts. The event has already drawn significant attention on social media and is being described by many as the must-attend experience for those seeking a more personal connection with the contest’s stars.
For those unable to secure tickets to the live shows or travel to Basel, public viewing events are being organised across Switzerland, from Zurich and Geneva to smaller towns, creating opportunities for fans to gather and share in the Eurovision experience. Swiss broadcasters are promising comprehensive coverage, with dedicated live programs, commentary, and behind the scenes segments bringing the contest’s glamour into living rooms across the country.
Yet, as with almost every edition of Eurovision, the 2025 contest has not been free of controversy. One of the most discussed topics this year has been the participation of Israel. Against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions, protests have erupted in several European cities, with calls for Israel’s withdrawal or exclusion from the contest. The European Broadcasting Union has maintained that Eurovision remains a non-political event, focused on unity through music, but the organisers in Basel have nonetheless taken the concerns seriously. More than 1,300 police officers, supported by military units, are being deployed to ensure the safety of participants and attendees, making this one of the most heavily secured editions of the contest in recent memory.
In addition, the European Broadcasting Union has tightened its rules regarding the display of flags. Only official national flags will be permitted on the Eurovision stage and within the arena, a policy that has sparked criticism from certain groups and civil society organisations who see it as limiting expressions of identity and solidarity. Despite this, the organisers have emphasised their commitment to inclusion and have promised that the Eurovision Village and related fan zones will remain spaces of celebration and diversity.
Beyond the stage, the influence of Eurovision on popular culture continues to grow. Many of the contestants this year have already seen their songs go viral on platforms like TikTok and Spotify, generating millions of streams even before the live shows. Several of this year’s entries have sparked dance trends, fan covers, and remix challenges online, demonstrating how Eurovision continues to evolve as a multi-platform phenomenon. For many artists, the contest represents not just a shot at winning a trophy, but also a launchpad to international stardom.
As rehearsals kick into full gear, the staging concepts for many countries are beginning to leak through social media and press previews, adding another layer of excitement and speculation. Reports suggest that this year’s contest will see a mix of intimate, stripped-back performances alongside elaborate high-tech stagings featuring LED backdrops, pyrotechnics, augmented reality effects, and intricate choreography. The Swiss hosts are reportedly planning a visually stunning opening sequence for the Grand Final, featuring Swiss cultural motifs and a special tribute to past Eurovision winners, underscoring Switzerland’s pride at hosting the event once again.
For Basel itself, hosting Eurovision is a significant moment. The city, already renowned for its art fairs, museums, and vibrant cultural life, is seizing the opportunity to showcase itself to a global audience. Hotels, restaurants, and local businesses have been preparing for months, offering themed menus, special promotions, and late-night events to cater to the influx of international visitors. Local tourism authorities are hoping that the exposure will translate into longer-term benefits for the city’s economy and reputation.
When it comes to looking at who is most likely to win, we have already mentioned the top four in the market and it seems unlikely that the winner will come from another nation. Ireland and Sweden are the most successful nations in the contest, with both having seven wins so far. Luxembourg, France, the Netherlands and the UK all have five wins. The top ten countries, prior to the semi-finals taking place are as follows:
Sweden – 2.25
Austria – 3.25
France – 9.00
Israel – 10.00
Netherlands – 26.00
Finland – 29.00
Estonia – 29.00
Belgium – 34.00
Czechia – 34.00
Malta – 41.00
As the countdown to May 17 continues, anticipation is building not only among the delegations and performers but also among the millions of fans who will tune in from across the world. With its unique mix of music, spectacle, national pride, and camp, Eurovision 2025 promises to be a thrilling, unpredictable, and unforgettable edition. Whether you’re watching from the stands in Basel, gathered with friends at a public viewing, or streaming from home in the early hours of the morning, the contest offers something for everyone.
In the end, Eurovision is more than just a song competition. It is a cultural event, a celebration of diversity, a showcase of creativity, and a space where nations large and small come together on equal footing. As the artists take to the stage, they bring with them not only their hopes of victory but also the stories, dreams, and aspirations of their countries and communities. For one week in May, the world will come together to dance, cheer, laugh, and maybe even shed a few tears, all in the name of music. Basel 2025 is ready, and Eurovision fans everywhere are counting down the days.
Last Updated: 09.05.2025
