Eurovision 2025: What to Know Ahead of the Grand Finale in Basel
A guide to the 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest featuring 26 acts vying for votes from millions of viewers.
The 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place in Basel, Switzerland, this Saturday, featuring 26 songs that reflect a diverse range of themes including humor, heartbreak, hope, and remembrance.
With its vibrant mix of music, performance art, and visual spectacle, Eurovision is considered the largest television event of its kind, attracting an audience of approximately 160 million viewers across Europe and beyond.
The event has drawn considerable attention, with around 500,000 visitors participating in the week-long festivities in Basel.
While the St. Jakobshalle can accommodate only 6,500 attendees, the final will also accommodate 36,000 fans at the nearby FC Basel stadium.
Martin Green, the executive producer of Eurovision, expressed emotions regarding the contest's ability to convey messages of unity and solidarity amid global challenges.
Concerns emerged about the participation of Israel potentially inciting public demonstrations akin to those seen during last year's event in Malmö due to ongoing conflict in the region.
However, the anticipated protests have thus far seen minimal turnouts, with one scheduled shortly before the competition begins at 21:00 local time.
Among the front-runners for the title is the Swedish group KAJ, whose upbeat song "Bara Bada Bastu" humorously celebrates the joys of sauna culture.
Following closely is Austrian countertenor JJ, who has captivated audiences with "Wasted Love," a poignant ballad exploring themes of lost love, enhanced by evocative black-and-white visuals.
French representative Louane is also a contender with her tribute to her late mother titled "maman," which features a minimalist staging that symbolically represents the passage of time through the use of an hourglass.
She is currently in the third position according to bookmakers.
The show will open with an explosive performance by Norwegian artist Kyle Alessandro, followed by Luxembourg's Laura Thorn, who humorously critiques patriarchy with her song "la poupée monte le son," invoking nostalgia from the Eurovision-winning track of 1965.
As the competition progresses, Albania will close the performances before the results announcement, which will be determined by a combination of jury votes and public votes from each participating country, alongside international viewers.
Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 attack, is participating with her song "New Day Will Rise," which aims to deliver a message of hope and solidarity.
Her entry has gained traction as the event approaches.
Finnish artist Erika Vikman stands out with her energetic performance of "Ich Komme," donning a striking outfit and performing aerial stunts, garnering enthusiastic responses from fans present.
The event has sparked speculation regarding the potential appearance of Celine Dion, a previous winner who is currently battling a significant health condition, yet remains a point of intrigue for both media and fans alike.
With its vibrant mix of music, performance art, and visual spectacle, Eurovision is considered the largest television event of its kind, attracting an audience of approximately 160 million viewers across Europe and beyond.
The event has drawn considerable attention, with around 500,000 visitors participating in the week-long festivities in Basel.
While the St. Jakobshalle can accommodate only 6,500 attendees, the final will also accommodate 36,000 fans at the nearby FC Basel stadium.
Martin Green, the executive producer of Eurovision, expressed emotions regarding the contest's ability to convey messages of unity and solidarity amid global challenges.
Concerns emerged about the participation of Israel potentially inciting public demonstrations akin to those seen during last year's event in Malmö due to ongoing conflict in the region.
However, the anticipated protests have thus far seen minimal turnouts, with one scheduled shortly before the competition begins at 21:00 local time.
Among the front-runners for the title is the Swedish group KAJ, whose upbeat song "Bara Bada Bastu" humorously celebrates the joys of sauna culture.
Following closely is Austrian countertenor JJ, who has captivated audiences with "Wasted Love," a poignant ballad exploring themes of lost love, enhanced by evocative black-and-white visuals.
French representative Louane is also a contender with her tribute to her late mother titled "maman," which features a minimalist staging that symbolically represents the passage of time through the use of an hourglass.
She is currently in the third position according to bookmakers.
The show will open with an explosive performance by Norwegian artist Kyle Alessandro, followed by Luxembourg's Laura Thorn, who humorously critiques patriarchy with her song "la poupée monte le son," invoking nostalgia from the Eurovision-winning track of 1965.
As the competition progresses, Albania will close the performances before the results announcement, which will be determined by a combination of jury votes and public votes from each participating country, alongside international viewers.
Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 attack, is participating with her song "New Day Will Rise," which aims to deliver a message of hope and solidarity.
Her entry has gained traction as the event approaches.
Finnish artist Erika Vikman stands out with her energetic performance of "Ich Komme," donning a striking outfit and performing aerial stunts, garnering enthusiastic responses from fans present.
The event has sparked speculation regarding the potential appearance of Celine Dion, a previous winner who is currently battling a significant health condition, yet remains a point of intrigue for both media and fans alike.