Overview

• The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 kicks off in Basel, Switzerland, with the final scheduled for May 17, under heightened security involving 1,300 officers and 40 army specialists.
• Germany’s entry, 'Baller' by Abor & Tynna, leads domestic Spotify streams but ranks low in betting odds, trailing favorites like Sweden’s KAJ.
• Seventy-two former participants have called for Israel’s exclusion, citing its actions in Gaza, while the EBU defends its non-political stance.
• New regulations limit on-stage flags to official national emblems, sparking criticism from past winners like Nemo, who also opposes Israel’s inclusion.
• All nine live shows are sold out, with 50,000 tickets issued, as Basel hosts public events, concerts, and Eurovision-themed activities.