Eurovision Song Contest 2025

Date: 13–17 May 2025
Venue: St. Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland
Description: The 69th Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Basel following Switzerland’s victory in 2024, when Nemo won with „The Code“. The contest includes two semi-finals (13 and 15 May) and a final (17 May). 37 countries showcase musical and cultural diversity. Switzerland hosts the event for the third time (previously in 1956 and 1989). Participants:

• First Semi-Final (15 countries): Albania, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Sweden, Ukraine. Also voting: Italy, Spain, Switzerland.
• Second Semi-Final (16 countries): Armenia, Australia, Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Georgia, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Serbia. Also voting: France, Germany, United Kingdom.
• Automatically in Final: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Switzerland.

Voting: After 2024 scandals, stricter rules and transparency controls were introduced. Semi-finals are decided by public votes only, the final by public and jury votes. „Rest of the World“ votes as one country.

LGBT Significance: Eurovision is the largest international event for the LGBT community, a „cultural pride“. Homosexuality has been highlighted for decades: in 1998, transgender Dana International won; in 2014, Conchita Wurst became a tolerance icon. The 2024 winner, Nemo (non-binary), reinforced this tradition.

St. Jakobshalle: Built in 1976, capacity 12,400 spectators, ceiling height provare di migliorare il risultato dopo anni di piazzamenti deboli.

Fact about the United Kingdom and its Eurovision History:

• 1967, Sandie Shaw, “Puppet on a String”;
• 1969, Lulu, “Boom Bang-a-Bang”;
• 1976, Brotherhood of Man, “Save Your Kisses for Me”;
• 1981, Bucks Fizz, “Making Your Mind Up”;
• 1997, Katrina and the Waves, “Love Shine a Light”).

Other notable acts:

• Cliff Richard (3rd, 1968),
• Olivia Newton-John (4th, 1974).

The UK has 15 top-3 finishes.