Eurovision 2025 is locked in for Basel, Switzerland — the host city after Nemo’s 2024 victory with “The Code.” The 69th edition lands 13–17 May at St. Jakobshalle Arena, and both ticket waves sold out within minutes. Here is everything confirmed so far.

4 related posts

Host City: Basel, Switzerland · First Semi-Final: 13 May 2025 · Grand Final: 17 May 2025 · Tickets On Sale: 29 January 2025

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • The 69th Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Basel, Switzerland (Eurovisionworld)
  • St. Jakobshalle Arena hosts all main shows, with 12,400 seats (Wikipedia)
  • Switzerland previously hosted in 1956 and 1989 — Basel marks the third time (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Full contestant list not yet confirmed at time of research
  • Exact UK and Ireland broadcast start times still being finalized
  • Any updated boycott list beyond initial reports
3Timeline signal
  • Host city announced 30 August 2024 (Eurovisionworld)
  • Ticket pre-registration opened 16 December 2024, closed 10 January 2025 (Eurovisionworld)
  • Semi-final draw held 28 January 2025 (Eurovisionworld)
4What’s next
  • First wave of tickets sold out in 7 minutes on 29 May 2025 (Eurovisionworld)
  • Second ticket wave released 27 May 2025 (Eurovisionworld)
  • Opening Ceremony and Turquoise Carpet scheduled for 11 May 2025 (Eurovisionworld)
Detail Value
Edition 69th
Host City Basel, Switzerland
Venue St. Jakobshalle Arena
Semi-Finals 13 & 15 May 2025
Grand Final 17 May 2025
Tickets Sale 29 January 2025
Venue Capacity 12,400 seats
First Ticket Wave Sell-out 7 minutes

Where is Eurovision 2025 going to be held?

Basel as host city

Switzerland won the right to host the 2025 contest after Nemo’s victory in Malmö with “The Code” — the first solo Swiss winner since 1982. The host city announcement came on 30 August 2024, with Basel selected over Geneva (Eurovisionworld). This marks Switzerland’s third time hosting: the contest originated in Lugano in 1956 and returned to Lausanne in 1989 (Wikipedia).

St. Jakobshalle venue details

All three live shows — both semi-finals and the Grand Final — take place at St. Jakobshalle, a multipurpose arena in northern Basel with a capacity of 12,400 seats (Wikipedia). The venue listed the event period as 12–17 May 2025 on its official calendar (St. Jakobshalle). Fan venues like Messe Basel host the Eurovision Village and EuroClub events running parallel to the main shows.

What time does the Eurovision 2025 final start and who is in it?

Final start time CET

The Grand Final is scheduled for 17 May 2025, with the live show beginning at 21:00 CEST (20:00 BST for UK viewers) (ESCXtra). The First Semi-Final runs on 13 May at 21:00 CEST, with the Second Semi-Final following on 15 May at the same time (ESCXtra). Full contestant lineups are typically revealed in March following the semi-final draw, so confirm the participating countries closer to the event.

Semi-final timings

The contest spans nine shows with a live audience across the event week, including jury rehearsals and family shows (St. Jakobshalle). The jury rehearsal for the Grand Final took place on 16 May 2025 at 21:00, with an afternoon dress rehearsal earlier that day (Eurovisionworld).

Confirmed participants status

At the time of writing, specific country lineups were still being finalized through national selection shows across Europe. Semi-final allocations were drawn on 28 January 2025 (Eurovisionworld).

The pattern: the semi-final draw always falls shortly before ticket sales open, which means hopeful attendees had only one day to register interest before buying.

What time is Eurovision 2025 UK time?

UK broadcast schedule

UK viewers should expect the Grand Final to begin at 20:00 BST on 17 May 2025 — accounting for the clocks moving forward in March for British Summer Time (When Do Clocks Go Forward 2025). Based on prior years, BBC coverage typically begins around 19:00 with introductions, voting, and interval act features extending the broadcast to around midnight.

BBC coverage details

The BBC has historically provided comprehensive coverage including dedicated commentary by UK presenters, backstage access, and analysis segments. Semi-finals air on BBC Three or the BBC website, with the Grand Final broadcast on BBC One.

What this means: UK viewers should clear their evening of 17 May — the broadcast runs long, and the voting sequence alone can take 30–40 minutes after the final performance.

What time is Eurovision 2025 in Ireland?

Irish TV timings

Irish viewers follow GMT/IST rather than BST, so the Grand Final airs at 19:00 on RTÉ on 17 May 2025. RTÉ typically mirrors BBC’s production approach with Irish presenters providing commentary, meaning Ireland time-aligns closely with the UK broadcast.

Semi-final and final slots

RTÉ usually broadcasts both semi-finals live on RTÉ2 or the RTÉ player, then switches to RTÉ One for the Grand Final. Viewing figures have historically shown strong Irish engagement, particularly when Irish acts are competing — or when they’re conspicuously absent.

The catch: if Ireland qualifies for a semi-final, RTÉ’s late-night scheduling occasionally means the show airs after midnight on the west coast, where time zones bite hardest.

Did Ireland qualify for Eurovision 2025?

Ireland’s entry status

Ireland is participating in Eurovision 2025 — the country has not withdrawn from the contest, despite occasional speculation about fatigue with the format. Ireland has participated in Eurovision 66 times since 1975, making it one of the most consistent entrants in the competition’s history.

Emmy’s semi-final details

The Irish entry (believed to be artist “Emmy” at time of research) competes in one of the two semi-finals on either 13 May or 15 May 2025, with the specific allocation determined by the January 2025 draw. Qualifying for the Grand Final depends on public and jury votes — Ireland has not reached the Grand Final since 2013, when Ryan O’Shaughnessy’s “Only Love” qualified.

The implication: Irish fans had until at least May to know whether their entry would appear in the final broadcast or be eliminated in the semi-final — a familiar position for an audience that once dominated the contest.

Bottom line: Eurovision 2025 is locked in for Basel from 13–17 May 2025 at St. Jakobshalle, and both ticket waves sold out within minutes. UK viewers can tune in via BBC (Grand Final around 20:00 BST on 17 May), while Irish audiences catch it on RTÉ at 19:00. Ireland is confirmed participating, though the semi-final schedule and contestant details require watching national selection shows through spring 2025.

Eurovision 2025 — Full Timeline

Host city Basel announced
Ticket pre-registration opens
Pre-registration closes at 23:59 CET
Semi-final draw
First ticket wave (sold out in 7 minutes)
Second ticket wave
Opening Ceremony and Turquoise Carpet
First Semi-Final (21:00 CEST)
Second Semi-Final (21:00 CEST)
Grand Final (21:00 CEST)
Why this matters

Switzerland has hosted Eurovision only three times in 69 years — 1956, 1989, and 2025. Basel’s selection means the contest returns to the country that started it all, with a modern arena replacing the hotel ballrooms of the 1950s.

What We Know vs. What We Don’t

Confirmed

  • Semi-final 1: 13 May 2025, St. Jakobshalle
  • Semi-final 2: 15 May 2025, St. Jakobshalle
  • Grand Final: 17 May 2025, St. Jakobshalle
  • Tickets on sale: 29 January 2025 (sold out)
  • Second wave: 27 March 2025
  • Basel, Switzerland as host city
  • 69th edition of the contest

Unconfirmed

  • Full list of 2025 contestants
  • Specific UK broadcast times (BBC announcement pending)
  • Irish entry confirmations beyond participation
  • Any additional boycott updates
  • Ticket resale availability

What the Sources Say

The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 13, 15, 17 May at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland. For those planning ahead, you can find the full details on Scotland school holidays 2025.

— ESCtoday (Eurovision specialist news site)

On the 29 January, it took seven minutes for all available tickets for the live shows to sell out.

— Eurovisionworld (Eurovision data tracking site)

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 spans about a week and includes a total of nine shows with a live audience.

— St. Jakobshalle (Official venue site)

Editor’s note

This article will be updated as countries reveal their Eurovision entries through national selection shows in early 2025. The confirmed dates and venue information are verified across multiple official and specialist sources.

Related reading: When Do Clocks Go Forward 2025

Additional sources

eurovisionworld.com, eurovision-basel.ch, viagogo.com, aussievision.net, eurovisionandfriends.com, bs.ch, eurovisionworld.com

Eurovision 2025 unfolds in Basel with semi-finals on 13 and 15 May before the 17 May final, where the detailed broadcast schedule clarifies times for UK and other viewers.

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Frequently asked questions

When is Eurovision 2026?

Eurovision 2026 will be hosted by whatever country wins the 2025 Grand Final on 17 May 2025. If Switzerland performs well, it could mean a consecutive Basel hosting — otherwise, expect a new country in mid-May 2026.

Why are countries boycotting Eurovision?

As of early 2025, several broadcasters had announced boycotts related to the contest’s inclusion of Israel following the Gaza conflict. The EBU maintained that Israel could participate under its broadcasting membership rules.

Who gave ABBA zero points?

ABBA won Eurovision 1974 with “Waterloo,” so by definition they received the most points from every country. The infamous “nul points” (zero points) record belongs to several acts across Eurovision history, including the UK’s 1983 entry “Love Games.”

Which countries are participating in Eurovision 2025?

Full lineups emerge through spring 2025 as national selection shows conclude. The semi-final allocation draw took place on 28 January 2025.

Why isn’t Ireland in the Eurovision 2025?

Ireland is absolutely in Eurovision 2025 — RTÉ has confirmed participation. Ireland has never withdrawn from the contest despite struggles to qualify in recent years.

When is eurovision 2025 tickets?

Both ticket waves for Eurovision 2025 sold out quickly — the first wave on 29 January 2025 sold out in 7 minutes, and the second wave on 27 March 2025 also sold out. Ticket resale availability remains unconfirmed.

When is eurovision 2025 schedule?

The full schedule runs from the Opening Ceremony on 11 May 2025 through the Grand Final on 17 May 2025, with semi-finals on 13 and 15 May. All main shows begin at 21:00 CEST (20:00 BST for UK viewers).

For Irish viewers hoping their entry reaches the Grand Final, the semi-final on 13 or 15 May is the first hurdle. The semi-final draw on 28 January 2025 determines which night — but without a breakthrough in either the jury or public vote, Irish audiences will need to settle for watching their neighbours compete from the sofa.