Basel City Council approves a 40 million euro budget for hosting Eurovision 2025. Learn about the funding breakdown, security measures, and potential challenges facing the Swiss host city as it prepares for this iconic music contest.

The Basel City Council has given the green light to host Eurovision 2025, approving a substantial budget to bring the iconic song contest to Switzerland. This decision marks a significant milestone in the preparations for one of Europe’s most anticipated musical events.

Basel Secures Funding for Eurovision 2025

In a decisive vote, the Basel City Council approved a budget of 40 million euros for hosting Eurovision 2025. The proposal passed with an overwhelming majority of 87 votes in favor and only 4 against, demonstrating strong cross-party support for the event.

Breaking Down the Eurovision 2025 Budget

The expected expenses for the contest itself are estimated at 37.3 million euros. However, the city anticipates revenues of about 2.67 million euros to offset part of the cost. This income is projected to come from the “Arena Plus” event, which will be held at St. Jakob-Park stadium, where thousands of Eurovision fans can watch the final and enjoy various activities throughout the contest week.

Security Measures and Cyber Protection

A significant portion of the budget, approximately 7.4 million euros, has been allocated for security measures. This includes about half a million euros earmarked for protecting the city’s infrastructure against potential cyber attacks, highlighting the comprehensive approach to ensuring a safe and secure event.

Potential Referendum Challenge

Despite the council’s approval, the funding decision faces potential opposition. The Federal Democratic Union of Switzerland (EDU) is currently campaigning to gather 2,000 signatures to initiate a referendum. If successful, this could give voters an opportunity to reject the approved funding, potentially jeopardizing Basel’s hosting of Eurovision 2025.

Conradin Cramer, President of the Basel Canton, expressed concern about this scenario, stating it would be the worst-case outcome. He remains hopeful that compelling arguments supporting the Eurovision contest can be presented to prevent such a situation.

As preparations continue, all eyes are on Basel as it gears up to potentially host one of the most watched non-sporting events in the world. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the city can overcome any remaining hurdles and secure its place as the host of Eurovision 2025.

Source: Basel Zeitung, Basel-Stadt