Eurovision Song Contest Basel wants ESC in the St. Jakobshalle and public viewing in the Joggeli
On Tuesday, the canton of Basel-Stadt presented the bid dossier for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2025 to the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG). Basel is entering the race with the St. Jakobshalle as the venue, while the Joggeli will be used for public viewing, as announced by the President of the Cantonal Government, Conradin Cramer, in a press release on Wednesday.
03.07.2024, 10:09
SDA
The St. Jakob-Park football stadium is therefore to be used as an "Arena Plus" for an additional 20,000 fans, who will be able to watch the music event on the big screen. In this way, the canton also wants to create an additional offer for those ESC fans who arrive without a ticket.
In June, the government also brought up the option of a provisionally roofed Joggeli as a venue. However, a review showed that the cost-benefit ratio of such a roof was not right, added the Presidential Department (PD) at the request of the Keystone-SDA news agency. Furthermore, a temporary roof is also not sustainable.
With the help of a temporary ceiling reinforcement, the required ceiling capacity in the St. Jakobshalle should be guaranteed for a possible staging of the ESC. The adjacent ice rink will serve as a press center, according to the press release.
Program at the trade fair and "Steine", among others
Basel's bid is taking place under the motto "Crossing Borders". An accompanying program is planned in the city for fans and the general public. A "Eurovision Village" with a music program and a club for party guests is planned at the Messe.
A "Eurovision Street" is to be set up in the Steinenvorstadt nightlife district and a stage for local bands on Barfüsserplatz. The banks of the Rhine in Kleinbasel are also to be included, it is reported.
In addition to Basel, Zurich, Geneva and Bern (together with Biel) are also bidding to host the ESC. SRG will decide at the end of August.
