Geneva is also officially bidding to host the 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in May 2025. The city and the canton submitted a joint application on Friday. The cities of Bern and Biel, Zurich and Basel have also submitted applications.
“Relying on strong political support displayed by the executives as well as the cantonal legislature and the municipal deliberative body, Geneva set about preparing a solid, ambitious and original candidacy file” after the victory of Nemo the month last, communicate the authorities at the end of Lake Geneva.
According to them, “Geneva has all the assets necessary to magnify the 2025 edition”. And to highlight its infrastructure at Palexpo, which can accommodate 11,000 people, its rail network, its airport and its hotel offering.
Geneva also prides itself on being able to provide a privileged setting for the ancillary events which punctuate the competition for almost a fortnight (Rade, plain of Plainpalais, Parc des bastions, building of the Motive Forces).
30 million francs
The Geneva executives are committed to securing 30 million francs for the organisation of the event, from which significant economic benefits are expected.
The cities of Bern and Biel, united under the slogan “Bern United”, Zurich and Basel, which can count on the 12,000 seats in its St-Jacques hall, have also submitted their applications.
>> Also read: Bienne and Berne join forces to organise Eurovision, Zurich confirms its candidacy
Hallenstadion or Nemo’s hometown
Switzerland’s largest city wants to organize the competition itself at the Hallenstadion, the largest indoor arena in Switzerland with a capacity of 15,000 spectators.
The bids of Bern and Biel, for their part, envisage that the main event will take place in the new multifunctional hall of the federal city. Biel, the hometown of Nemo, winner of the 2024 edition of the contest, would host events linked to Eurovision.
Initially interested, the city of St. Gallen decided not to organize the competition. She cites in particular the heavy demands, particularly financial, that this event generates.
The SSR and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are studying the applications and will carry out on-site visits. A decision is expected by the end of August.
>> Listen to the subject of La Matinale on the chances of the different candidacies:
cab with ats
