The Swiss city of Basel has been chosen to host the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, organisers announced on Friday. The decision, which was made after a competitive selection process, sees Basel triumph over fellow Swiss city Geneva, generating excitement across the country.
Basel, a predominantly German-speaking city situated on the Rhine River and bordering both France and Germany, was deemed the ideal location by the organisers. The city council expressed their enthusiasm, stating in a statement: "The government council is delighted with the decision and sees hosting the worldâs largest music competition as a great opportunity. Basel will do everything in its power to be a good host."
Switzerland secured the right to host Eurovision 2024 after its own singer, Nemo, won the 68th edition of the contest in May in Malmö, Sweden. The Swiss public broadcaster SSR-SRG made the final decision, selecting Basel and its St. Jakobshalle indoor arena based on a range of criteria. These included the venue's suitability, its sustainability and safety measures, the financial resources available, and the city's "creative ideas for the side events".
Nemo's victory marked a historic moment, as the first Swiss win since 1988, when Canadian singer Celine Dion triumphed under the Swiss flag. The Eurovision Song Contest, organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) based in Geneva, draws participation from dozens of broadcasters and reaches hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.
The EBU study cited by Basel's city council highlighted the vast reach of the contest, revealing that this year's event in Malmö attracted over 160 million television viewers and over 80 million YouTube users globally. The advertising value of the contest was estimated at a staggering â¬805 million ($892 million).
This marks a return to Switzerland for the contest, which was first hosted and won by the country in 1956, in the southern city of Lugano. The 2024 event will undoubtedly be a significant cultural and economic boost for Basel, showcasing the city's vibrant spirit and its ability to host large-scale international events.
