Welcome to our new weekly series – ‘Swiss Sundays’. Each week, we will be looking towards the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Switzerland.

Following the deadline for host city bids on Friday, we will be looking at the four cities who have made that bid this week. We briefly mentioned the four candidates HERE yesterday.

Basel

Basel have confirmed their bid in the Saint Jakob area, however a venue has yet to be chosen. The venue will either be the Saint Jakobshalle or the Saint Jakob Park stadium, with the support FC Basel 1893. However both structures would require a temporary ceiling reinforcement or a temporary roof to ensure the required ceiling load.

Bern & Biel

Bern & Biel have confirmed their bid with the chosen venue been the Neue Festhalle in Bern. The Eurovision Village, Turquoise Carpet and Opening Ceremony will be located in Bern The Handover Ceremony & Running Order Draw will be located in Biel. Biel is committed to contributing 1 million CHF (€1.04 million),  while Bern will contribute 7 million CHF (€7.3 million). Alec von Graffenrie, Mayor of Bern, had the following to say:

“Gigantism suits neither Bern nor Biel. Our version of the ESC would be a Bernese-resized but all the more refined event in which quality, heart, diversity and sustainability are clearly in the foreground.”

Erich Fehr, Mayor of Biel, had the following to say:

“As the capital of bilingualism, Biel fundamentally stands for diversity, tolerance and a remarkable cosmopolitanism. This is another reason why we can identify with the basic idea of ​​the ESC.”

Geneva

Geneva have confirmed their bid with the chosen venue been the Palexpo. Both the cantonal and municipal executives will be working to secure 30 million CHF (€31 million) to aid in the organisation of Eurovision 2025. Thierry Apothéloz, Vice-President of the Council of State, had the following to say:

“Welcoming Eurovision in Geneva means offering this event in the heart of the heart of the most international city in Switzerland, known for its tolerance and openness to the world. A crossroads of peace and good understanding between peoples, Geneva perfectly symbolises the values held by the Eurovision Song Contest.”

Zurich

Zurich have confirmed their bid with the chosen venue been the Hallenstadion – with a capacity of 15,000. The Messe Zürich can provide additional space next door. The Eurovision Village will be located at Landiwiese by Lake Zürich, while the Zurich Convention Centre will host the Euro Club, Opening Ceremony & other official events. Zurich City Council is requesting a framework loan of 20 million CHF (€20.84 million) from the municipal council. Corine Mauch, Mayor of Zurich, had the following to say:

“Zurich and the Eurovision Song Contest: They fit together perfectly. Zurich is just as colourful, just as lively, just as diverse. We can and want to handle this major project.”

Let us know what you think about Switzerland and the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest – either in the comments below or on our FACEBOOK, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, INSTAGRAM and TIKTOK pages.

Author: Richard Taylor

Source: Eurovoix