This was determined during the draw for the starting positions at the Art Museum of the Swiss host city on Tuesday. It is not yet clear which act Austria will send to the neighbouring country, who will then have to compete with 15 countries in the semi-final to secure one of ten final tickets for May 17th. The announcement could reportedly be made on Thursday.

37 Nations Compete in the Song Contest 2025

A total of 37 nations are vying for the European singing crown this year. Six countries do not have to go through the process of the semi-finals: The Big Five, i.e. the biggest payers, Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy and Spain. In addition, host Switzerland, which is also set for May 17th.

The remaining countries must go through the procedure of the semi-finals in the 170,000-inhabitant city of Basel near the German and French border on May 13th and May 15th. The draw was hosted by the presenting duo Jennifer Bosshard and Jan van Ditzhuijzen. In addition to the draw for the starting positions, the event traditionally also serves as a festive handover from one host city to another. And so a representative from Malmö handed over the Eurovision insignia to the successor city Basel. This officially completes the change from one ESC host city to another. The first batch of tickets will go on sale on Wednesday (January 29th) at 10 a.m.

Switzerland Hosts ESC for the Third Time

The fact that the is taking place in Switzerland for the third time this year, after 1956 and 1989, is thanks to the Swiss Nemo. The non-binary act won last year with "The Code" in Malmö. Basel won the internal match of the cities as host and will now hold the competition in the St. Jakobshalle, which can accommodate up to 12,400 people in its maximum capacity. The motto of the major musical event this year is again "United by Music" - a tagline that has been used permanently at every ESC instead of the previously changing mottos since last year.

There is a small change in the field of participants, as the small Balkan country Montenegro is back in the game this year. On the other hand, the Republic of Moldova has withdrawn at short notice, citing among other things the costs of the competition. This keeps the number of participating nations stable at 37.

Overview of Participating Countries

Semi-Final 1 (May 13)

Semi-Final 2 (May 15)

Final (May 17)

(APA/Red)

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