The excitement is palpable as the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 makes its grand debut tonight, live from the stunning St.
Jakobshalle Arena in Basel, Switzerland.
The event kicks off at 21:00 CET and marks the 69th edition of this globally celebrated music competition.
Fans from around the world will tune in to watch 15 countries battle it out for 10 coveted spots in the much-anticipated Grand Final on Saturday.
Hosting the night are the dynamic duo of Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer, who are sure to bring energy and flair to the proceedings.
What makes this year particularly special is the participation of Spain, Italy, and Switzerland; although they are automatic qualifiers, they will perform in both semi-finals, allowing audiences to get a taste of their entries right from the start.
The line-up for tonight’s performances is diverse and eclectic, representing a wide array of musical styles and cultures.
From Iceland’s VÆB with their haunting ballad ‘Róa’ to Poland’s Justyna Steczkowska delivering the ethereal ‘Gaja’, the stage is set for an unforgettable evening.
Notable entries include Ukraine’s Ziferblat with the emotive ‘Bird of Pray’ and Portugal’s NAPA with their energetic track ‘Deslocado’.
In a thrilling twist, each performance will be followed by public voting, allowing viewers to play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for the Grand Final.
The interval acts promise to be a highlight as well, featuring past Swiss Eurovision stars who will grace the stage with a vibrant medley, alongside performances from last year’s contestants.
With a mix of languages featured in the performances—including Icelandic, Ukrainian, and Swedish—the event truly embodies the spirit of multiculturalism that Eurovision is renowned for.
Intriguingly, Sweden will also perform in their native tongue for the first time in 27 years, showcasing an exciting evolution in the competition’s staging rules.
Join us tonight as we celebrate music, creativity, and international camaraderie at Eurovision 2025!
Get Your Free Eurovision Bet Here
Key Takeaways
- Eurovision 2025 begins with 15 countries competing for 10 Grand Final spots in Basel.
- Automatic qualifiers Spain, Italy, and Switzerland will perform their entries in both semi-finals.
- The event features public voting, interval acts from Eurovision stars, and new staging rules including aerial performances.
Overview of the Semi-Final Competitors
As the excitement builds for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, tonight’s first Semi-Final, broadcast live from the St.
Jakobshalle Arena in Basel, Switzerland, promises to be a spectacular event.
Scheduled to commence at 21:00 CET, this year’s contest marks the 69th edition, featuring fifteen competitors aiming to secure one of the coveted ten spots in the Grand Final set for Saturday.
Hosting the festivities are the dynamic duo Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer, who are sure to bring energy and charisma to the stage.
Notably, tonight’s lineup includes Spain, Italy, and Switzerland, which, as automatic qualifiers, will debut their songs despite their guaranteed places in the final.
This unique twist adds an extra layer of intrigue to the evening.
The performance lineup is as thrilling as ever, starting with Iceland’s VÆB presenting ‘Róa,’ followed by Poland’s Justyna Steczkowska with ‘Gaja.’ Slovenia’s Klemen continues with ‘How Much Time Do We Have Left?’ while Estonia’s Tommy Cash takes the stage with a bold performance titled ‘Espresso macchiato.’ Automatic qualifier Spain heats up the night with Melody’s ‘Esa diva,’ before the audience enjoys Ukraine’s Ziferblat with ‘Bird of Pray’ and Sweden’s own KAJ bringing ‘Bara bada bastu’ to life.
Portugal’s NAPA presents ‘Deslocado’ followed by Norway’s Kyle Alessandro with ‘Lighter.’ Other notable acts include Red Sebastian from Belgium with ‘Strobe Lights,’ Italy’s Lucio Corsi singing ‘Volevo essero un duro,’ followed by Azerbaijan’s Mamagama with ‘Run With U,’ and Gabry Ponte from San Marino performing ‘Tutta l’Italia.’ The emerging talents from Albania and the Netherlands, Shkodra Elektronike and Claude, will perform ‘Zjerm’ and ‘C’est la vie,’ respectively, before Croatia’s Marko Bošnjak closes the lineup with his catchy tune ‘Poison Cake.’ Rounding off the performances is Switzerland’s Zoë Më with her song ‘Voyage,’ along with Cyprus’s Theo Evan delivering ‘Ssh.’
Voting will take place exclusively through public votes, allowing the pre-qualified countries to share their opinions, adding a democratic touch to the process.
The semi-final will also feature exciting interval acts, including a medley by past Swiss Eurovision stars and performances from select participants from Eurovision 2024, fueling nostalgia and anticipation among fans.
This year’s contest also embraces a diverse linguistic backdrop, showcasing performances in Icelandic, English, Polish, Spanish, Ukrainian, Swedish, Finnish, Portuguese, Italian, Albanian, and French, highlighting Sweden’s return to singing in their native tongue for the first time since
1998.
Audiences can also expect innovative staging rules with acts introducing aerial performances, promising a visually captivating experience.
With a mix of cultural diversity, entertaining performances, and an electric atmosphere, tonight’s semi-final is poised to set the stage for an unforgettable Eurovision
2025.
Exciting Features and Unique Elements of Eurovision 2025
In addition to the thrilling performances and vibrant atmosphere, Eurovision 2025 brings a host of exciting features that enhance the viewing experience for fans and participants alike.
This year’s theme focuses on unity and creativity, symbolizing the rich tapestry of cultures represented in the contest.
A new interactive voting platform has been introduced, allowing fans to engage even more closely with the acts they support.
This platform not only simplifies the voting process but also encourages real-time interaction on social media, creating a community of Eurovision enthusiasts sharing their favorite moments as the show unfolds.
Additionally, the organizers have promised to incorporate sustainability measures in staging and production, underscoring a commitment to environmental responsibility.
With diverse musical styles ranging from pop to traditional, this event also showcases emerging artists alongside established stars, ensuring that viewers enjoy a variety of sounds and performances.
Overall, Eurovision 2025 is set to be not only a music competition but a celebration of inclusivity and modern entertainment.
