With fans from more than 80 countries arriving in Basel, Switzerland, for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), the city is prepared not only to host the world’s largest live music event, but also to unlock a wave of economic, cultural, and social benefits.

It’s a bit of a mouthful, but the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is a marvel as unique as its name: it’s the only airport with exits in two countries. And, technically, it’s the only place on Earth where you can land in three countries at once.

The city at the crossroads of France, Germany and Switzerland gears up amid global tensions over diversity and inclusion.

Get ready Europe, the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is about to begin. Here's everything you need to know ahead of show week in Basel.

Riot police were seen clashing with protesters at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019, and it's feared that this year's event in Basel, Switzerland, could be targeted

Canadian Singer Céline Dion will not be performing at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Basel. Dion announced her absence in a video message, which was shown at the main rehearsal in the St Jakobshalle stadium.

Georgian Culture Day was held in Basel, Switzerland, showcasing the country's rich cultural heritage in the heart of the Eurovision

The Norwegian singer will take to the stage with Laika Party on Thursday night and hopes to make Ireland proud and qualify for the Eurovision final on Saturday

Other participants include Bright Moments (San Francisco), which will present Automata, a focused look at the development of robotics and artificial intelligence in art. Objkt (Zurich) will host a group show curated by Anika Meier that addresses identity and machine agency.

Inspired by Xherdan Shaqiri’s return home from Major League Soccer, Basel sealed its first Swiss league title since 2017 on Sunday without playing. Second-placed Servette’s failure to win — drawing 0-0 at home to third-placed Young Boys — left Basel 11 points clear with three rounds left.

Joining KAJ in the final is another favorite with oddsmakers, 21-year-old Dutch singer Claude with soulful, Parisian-style ballad “C’est La Vie.” Claude hopes to win for his country after the Netherlands’ 2024 contestant, Joost Kein, was kicked out of Eurovision last year over a backstage altercation.