by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed




Preparations for Eurovision 2025 have officially started! Yesterday, work commenced on the Eurovision stage at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland – the venue hosting the contest this May.

After months of planning, team selection, and concept development, St. Jakobshalle was officially handed over to the organizers, marking the start of stage construction and production infrastructure ahead of the first rehearsals. The innovative and large-scale stage combines the Swiss Alpine landscape with revolutionary technology in lighting, live movement, transparency, and dynamic topographical design.




The Stage: Alpine Beauty Meets Technology

The design of the Eurovision 2025 stage is entrusted to Florian Wieder, a German-Jewish stage designer renowned for his prominent contributions to international stage design, particularly within the Eurovision realm. Wieder has crafted iconic stages in recent years, including Liverpool (2023), Tel Aviv (2019), Lisbon (2018), and Stockholm (2016).

Outside Eurovision, Wieder has designed stages for numerous high-profile events and TV shows such as X Factor and American Idol. His approach merges visual storytelling with live performance experiences, employing advanced technology to evoke emotion and narrative.

For Eurovision 2025, Wieder chose to integrate the Alpine landscape with modern elements like geometric shapes, varying elevation levels, and dynamic light cascades. Together, these features aim to create an extraordinary stage experience that immerses the audience. Wieder said about it:

“We are creating a holistic experience never seen before at Eurovision, We wanted a stage that enables live interaction with the audience – not just watching but truly being part of the show.”




Graphic Concept: Unity, Love, and Dialogue

The graphic concept for Eurovision 2025 was unveiled by Artur Deyneuve, a multidisciplinary artist known for blending digital art, movement, and symbolic forms. This year’s visual language focuses on unity through diversity under the theme “Unity Shapes Love.”

The design incorporates colorful compositions of abstract shapes, shifting textures, and imagery of the Eurovision heart logo. These elements convey messages of listening, dialogue, and cultural openness – values closely associated with Switzerland’s direct democracy.

Preparations Underway: What to Expect at St. Jakobshalle

St. Jakobshalle is undergoing significant transformations in preparation for the contest. These include installing massive LED screens, advanced lighting structures, press and broadcast stations, and even mountain-inspired scenery to complement the Swiss Alpine concept.

Over 1,000 crew members – including directors, technicians, designers, volunteers, and media professionals – are involved in this massive production to ensure everything runs flawlessly.




Eurovision 2025: Dates and Time

The Eurovision Song Contest for 2025 will take place in May, as per tradition. Here are the exact dates:

For those wondering “What time will Eurovision 2025 air?” each event will begin at 21:00 CET.

Israel will compete in the second semi-final on Thursday, May 15th, hoping for a successful performance! If Israel makes it into the top ten songs of the semi-final, it will advance to the grand final broadcast on May 17th at 21:00 CET.



Eurovision 2025’s Venue

Eurovision 2025 will be held in Basel, Switzerland. This marks the third time Switzerland has hosted the competition, following previous events in 1956 in Lugano, and 1989 in Lausanne. The event will take place at St. Jakobshalle arena, which is expected to accommodate approximately 12,000 spectators per show. Choosing this venue ensures an impressive experience for both live audiences and viewers at home with excellent acoustics and advanced technical conditions.

Preparations for Eurovision 2025

Preparations for Eurovision 2025 are already underway. On January 28th, 2025, a draw determined which countries would perform in each semi-final, it’s a crucial event shaping the competition’s structure. Following this draw, ticket sales for Eurovision began on January 29th, allowing fans to secure their spots at the arena. Currently, each representative is rehearsing their performance in their respective countries ahead of May’s big stage show. In early May, all delegations will arrive in Basel to conduct organized rehearsals on the competition stage.




Side Events and Eurovision Parties

Leading up to Eurovision 2025, several side events and parties are planned across Europe. These events feature Eurovision contestants showcasing their songs ahead of the competition. For contestants, these gatherings offer an excellent opportunity to promote their songs, meet fans, and give interviews to various European media outlets.

These events include:

  • Eurovision in Concert – Amsterdam – April 5th

  • MancHagen – Manchester – April 11th–13th

  • PrePartyES – Madrid – April 17th–19th




The History of Eurovision

The Eurovision Song Contest began in 1956 as an attempt to unite Europe after World War II through music. Since then, it has evolved into one of the largest and most-watched musical events worldwide. Over the years, Eurovision has served as a stage for some of the world’s most successful artists like ABBA, Céline Dion, and Julio Iglesias.

Initially determined by jury votes alone, technological advancements have transformed voting methods over time. Today viewers can vote via apps and text messages while enjoying live broadcasts globally through digital platforms. Furthermore, technology enables more spectacular performances with advanced visual effects enriching viewers’ experience.




Impact of Eurovision

Eurovision has significantly influenced popular culture across Europe and beyond—many competing songs becoming international hits while fostering LGBTQ+ rights acceptance alongside broader cultural diversity appreciation.

Hosting Eurovision also presents substantial economic opportunities for host countries—attracting thousands of tourists creating temporary jobs alongside providing international exposure despite high hosting costs sparking public debates over feasibility periodically.

Source: Eurovoix.

Eurovision 2025: This will be Switzerland’s 65th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Switzerland joined the competition in 1956, being one of the seven founding countries, and has won three times over the years. Its most recent victory was at the last Eurovision in 2025, with Nemo’s song “The Code.” This win follows Switzerland’s previous victory in 1988 with the song “Ne partez pas sans moi,” performed by international singer Céline Dion.