The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is set to take place in Basel, Switzerland, with the grand final scheduled for Saturday, May 17, starting at 20:00 BST. The event will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with commentary provided by Graham Norton. It will also be available on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, hosted by Scott Mills and Rylan Clark.
This year’s theme, “Welcome Home,” commemorates the contest’s origins in Switzerland, where it first took place in 1956. A total of 37 countries will participate, including returning entrant Montenegro, while Moldova has withdrawn due to financial difficulties. Notable competitors include the UK’s Remember Monday, who will perform their country-pop song “What The Hell Just Happened.”
Several renowned artists are involved in the competition, including Louane, representing France, who is expected to deliver a heartfelt performance. The competition will see various countries retake the stage, with familiar faces qualifying from both semi-finals leading up to the final.
In addition to the excitement of the performances, the contest also generates discussions surrounding its political context. Notably, Israel’s entry this year has stirred controversy due to calls for its exclusion amidst allegations regarding the country’s actions in Gaza. The representatives of Israel have expressed their expectation of facing backlash during their performance while Eurovision aims to maintain its non-political stance.
As this year’s contest unfolds, fans are eager to see if the UK’s Remember Monday can improve on the country’s recent track record after previous participants finished near the bottom in recent contests. The anticipation is high, and music fans are looking forward to a night filled with spectacular performances and heartfelt moments.
The Eurovision Song Contest continues to bring countries together through music, celebrating diversity and creativity in a unique and entertaining format.