Switzerland’s national broadcaster, SRG SSR, has confirmed that there are no plans to cancel the Eurovision 2025 semi-finals. This statement comes in response to rumors and concerns sparked by a referendum in Basel regarding Eurovision’s funding.
In recent months, Switzerland’s Federal Democratic Union Party (EDU/UDF) has gathered over 4,000 signatures to initiate a referendum opposing Eurovision’s funding. The party, known for its Christian-conservative views, argues that the Eurovision Song Contest contradicts its values and represents a misuse of public funds. The referendum, set to take place this Sunday, could present significant challenges for the event’s production if the decision opposes funding.
Amid growing concerns, Switzerland’s national broadcaster, SRG SSR, was quick to address the situation, assuring reporters that there are no plans to cancel the semi-finals. This clarification underscores the organizers’ commitment to delivering a complete and successful competition despite the numerous obstacles.
If the referendum approves the budget, Basel will proceed with its preparations for hosting the international competition. However, if the funding is denied, the organizers may face severe logistical and financial difficulties, potentially leading to discussions about relocating the host city or scaling back planned events.
Public relations manager Edi Estermann stated that potential budget cuts could include reducing security expenses or even canceling citywide events. “Relocating the competition to another city will not be easy, especially considering that a significant portion of the preparations has already been completed,” emphasized Estermann, outlining the scenario if funding is withdrawn. Currently, only 172 days remain until the grand finale, and any significant changes at this stage would pose immense challenges for the organizers.
Despite the high costs associated with hosting the contest, Eurovision has a profoundly positive economic impact on host cities. Local businesses benefit from increased tourism, and many destinations have recorded substantial profits from the event. For Basel, the stakes are higher than just the economic boost—it is also an opportunity to reposition itself on the global stage.
Source: Expressen, Instagram.
Eurovision 2025: The 69th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Basel, Switzerland, on May 13, 15, and 17, 2025. The St. Jakobshalle arena, which will host the competition, is expected to accommodate about 12,000 spectators for each show. The contest will take place in Switzerland following the country’s third historical win with the song “The Code”, performed by singer Nemo. This will be the third time the competition has been hosted in Switzerland, after the contest was held there in 1956 and 1989.
