SWR to Take Over Eurovision Song Contest Leadership from NDR After Nearly 30 Years

The transition, part of ARD's restructuring, begins with SWR's involvement in the 2025 contest and full leadership starting in 2026.

The Südwestrundfunk (SWR) will assume responsibility for Germany's Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) efforts from the Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) after nearly three decades.
The change is part of ARD's broader reform to consolidate expertise across its regional broadcasters, with SWR becoming the new competence center for entertainment.
SWR will begin its involvement in the 2025 ESC, with full leadership starting in 2026 unless Germany wins the 2025 contest, in which case NDR will host the international final in 2026.
Stefan Raab returns to oversee the German ESC pre-selection process for the first time in years, with the public deciding the nation's representative on March 1, 2025.
Germany aims for a strong performance in Basel on May 17, 2025, with ARD and SWR emphasizing the ESC's role as a unifying cultural event in Europe.