Swiss choose Basel as host city for 2025 Eurovision Song Contest (updated)
30/08/2024 09:25
(Adds details, comment)
ZURICH, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Next year's Eurovision Song
Contest will be held in the Swiss city of Basel, public
broadcaster SRG said on Friday.
Basel beat competition from Geneva to host the event in May
2025, which Switzerland will host after singer Nemo won this
year's competition in Malmo, Sweden.
The two Swiss cities were the final candidates chosen
according to criteria that included transport connections, hotel
capacity and security.
Other factors included available venues, sustainability and
how to dispose of waste, as well as experience with large scale
events.
"Congratulations to Basel," said Reto Peritz and Moritz
Stader, the co-executive producers of the Eurovision Song
Contest (ESC), in a statement.
"We look forward to working with you to make the ESC an
unforgettable experience for everyone."
The final of the event, which was watched by 163 million
viewers around the world this year, will be held on Saturday,
May 17.
In Basel, authorities have said the event would be held
at the St Jakobshalle, which can accommodate 12,000 Eurovision
fans.
In addition to Geneva, other potential hosts cities -
Zurich and a joint bid by Bern and Nemo's hometown Biel - had
made unsuccessful applications.
(Reporting by John Revill, editing by Miranda Murray)
((John.Revill@thomsonreuters.com; +41 41 528 36 37; Reuters
Messaging: john.revill.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))