Your guide to Eurovision 2025
The Eurovision Song Contest is fast approaching, with the 69th annual musical extravaganza set to take place in Basel, Switzerland in May. This iconic competition, often likened to a pop Olympics, will see acts from 37 countries compete for the continent’s musical crown in a celebration of diversity, national pride, and the joy of pop music.
What is Eurovision all about? Eurovision is an international pop music competition where singers and groups from various countries across Europe and beyond showcase their talent in a live televised singing contest. Each participant performs a three-minute song, with the winner determined by votes from national juries and viewers around the world. Since its inception in 1956, Eurovision has evolved into a campy yet heartfelt event known for its elaborate costumes, spectacular staging, and a wide range of musical genres.
Past winners of Eurovision have included iconic acts like ABBA, Lordi, Conchita Wurst, Måneskin, and Kalush Orchestra. The competition has grown from seven countries to nearly 40, with non-European nations such as Israel and Australia also participating. Last year’s contest was watched by a staggering 163 million viewers worldwide.
When and where is Eurovision happening this year? The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest will be hosted in Basel, Switzerland at the St. Jakobshalle arena. The event will kick off with two semifinals on May 13 and 15, leading up to the grand final on May 17, which will be hosted by Swiss broadcasters Hazel Brugger, Michelle Hunziker, and Sandra Studer.
Switzerland, the birthplace of Eurovision, has won the competition twice before, in 1956 and 1988 (with Céline Dion). This year, Sweden is the bookies’ favorite to take home the title with their entry “Bara Bada Bastu” performed by the trio KAJ. Other top contenders include Austria’s JJ, France’s Louane, the Netherlands’ Claude, and Israel’s Yuval Raphael.
Do politics mix with pop at Eurovision? While Eurovision’s motto is “united by music,” political tensions can sometimes spill over into the competition. Rules prohibit overtly political lyrics or symbols, but regional rivalries and global conflicts have influenced past competitions. Last year’s event in Malmö saw pro-Palestinian protests calling for Israel to be dropped from the contest. Tight security measures were implemented for Israeli contestant Eden Golan, and the lyrics of the Israeli entry were changed amid controversy.
This year’s contest aims to uphold Eurovision’s values of universality, diversity, equality, and inclusivity while maintaining political neutrality. Participants are expected to respect these principles and ensure a harmonious competition.
How can you watch Eurovision and vote? Eurovision will be broadcast by national broadcasters in participating countries, as well as on streaming platforms like Peacock in the U.S. and the Eurovision YouTube channel in select regions. Viewers can vote for their favorite acts via phone, text message, or the Eurovision app, with online voting available for nonparticipating countries.
As the excitement builds for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, fans are eagerly anticipating a night filled with glitter, glamour, and unforgettable musical performances. With a diverse array of talent competing for the coveted title, this year’s competition promises to be a celebration of music and unity on a global stage.
