Eurofans can rejoyce. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is about to deliver its first televised show. Live from St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, the first set of 15 participants will perform on the magnificient stage of the 69th edition of our beloved contest.
It has been long, indeed. Twelve month after the historic victory of Nemo with The Code, the Eurovison circus is back home to Switzerland where it was founded and the first edition took place back in Lugano in 1956. Eurovision is back to the Alpine country 37 years after Lausanne 1989, which followed the iconic victory of Céline Dion with Ne partez pas sans moi.
Switzerland is therefore about to kick off its third time hosting, and espectations are high as those mountains on stage.
How to watch
The first semi final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 can be followed on many national televisions and on the official Youtube Eurovision channel from 21.00 CET.
The participants
Fifteen delegations are eager to jump on stage, this is tonight’s running order:
- Iceland – Vaeb – Róa
- Poland – Justyna Steczkowska – Gaja
- Slovenia – Klemen – How much time do we have left
- Estonia – Tommy Cash – Espresso macchiato
- Ukraine – Ziferblat – Bird of pray
- Sweden – KAJ – Bara bada bastu
- Portugal – Napa – Deslocado
- Norway – Kyle Alessandro – Lighter
- Belgium – Red Sebastian – Strobe lights
- Azerbaijan – Mamagama – Run with U
- San Marino – Gabry Ponte – Tutta l’Italia
- Albania – Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm
- Netherlands – Claude – C’est la vie
- Croatia – Marko Bosnjak – Poison cake
- Cyprus – Theo Evan – Shh
In addition to these fifteen acts, the already qualified Italy, Spain and Switzerland will also perform and will be able to vote. Other non-participating countries can vote under an aggregated “Rest of the World” vote.
The ten most voted countries from the televote will advance to the Grand Final on Saturday 17 May 2025. As per a recent change, there are no more juries voting in the semi finals.
About the show
The first live show is themed Where it all began, an homage to the birthplace of the Eurovision Song Contest, Switzerland.
Tonight’s semi final will also feature former Swiss participants such as Paola (1969 and 1980), Peter, Sue and Marc (1971, 1976, 1979 and 1981), Gjon’s Tears (2020 and 2021), all performing a medley of past Swiss entries.
Hosts of the two semi finals are Swiss-American poet, comedian and presenter Hazel Brugger as well as singer and TV host Sandra Studer. The latter is also a former Eurovision entrant, having defended the Swiss colours in Rome at Eurovision 1991 (Canzone per te, 5th place).
Inverval acts
Tuesday’s Eurovision Semi-final 1 promises unforgettable moments, starting with a heartfelt Celine Dion tribute. Past Eurovision stars — Geri Heil (Ukraine), Marina Satti (Greece), Iolanda (Portugal), and Silvester Belt (Lithuania) — will unite on stage to perform Ne partez pas sans moi, honoring one of Eurovision’s most iconic winners.
For the first time ever, we’ll witness an indoor drone show—a truly spectacular visual experience you don’t want to miss!
Qualifiers Announcement
The finalist announcements will also follow a brand-new, more dramatic format. Three countries will be highlighted at a time, with one announced as a qualifier and the other two left waiting. This new approach keeps the tension high, gives every country more screen time, and allows audiences to share the suspense with the artists. A brilliant way to elevate the excitement!
