An exclusive look at the document governing the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
The biggest cultural event in the world: Scene at the ESC 2023 in Liverpool.
Table of Contents
Corinne Cumming
A thousand years ago, a bishop named Udalricus II ruled in Basel. The inconspicuous man only made it into the history books because the German emperor gave him some silver mines. The fief meant effort and risk for the people of Basel. But there was also the lure of a rich reward.
A thousand years later, the people of Basel are once again given a precious, rather complicated fiefdom: the Eurovision Song Contest. A special book explains the conditions under which this is to happen.
The SRG distributed the document among local cities, but otherwise wanted to keep it secret. We got it anyway, thanks to the City of Zurich’s Freedom of Information Act. The “City Bid Book” sets out how the Eurovision Song Contest will run next year. It was written by the current sponsors, the officials of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Based in Geneva, the EBU has been watching over the singing competition since its beginnings in the 1950s – and making a living from it. Barely of any importance during the year, the Union moves into the global spotlight in May, has the cities cover the costs of the mega event and collects sponsorship money.
After Nemo won, the EBU sent its “Bid Book” to the SRG. The SRG distributed the 50-page document to the cities that applied to host the event. Basel now has to turn the paper into reality. Individual passages were “fine-tuned” by the SRG, as a spokesperson explained; the conditions are bindingly set out in a “Host City Contract”. Here are the five most interesting points from the ESC’s secret book.
In the introduction to the “Bid Book”, the EBU emphasizes how much a city benefits from the singing competition. However, it does so in a surprisingly vague way: It explains that last year’s organizer, Liverpool, now “expects” an increase in tourism sales. A Portuguese hotel association director is also quoted as saying that the contest had a greater impact than a national exhibition; what exactly the “effect” was remains unclear. The EBU is more succinct when it comes to its own advantages. It makes it clear that it not only expects the host to cover most of the costs. It also expects it to leave the best bits to it: “Revenue from sponsorship remains with the EBU and the income from the national sponsors (max. six) remains with the SRG.”
And Basel? The host city is “prohibited from engaging its own sponsors”. The city is only allowed to accept money from local organizations. However, if a company were to operate a little beyond the canton’s borders, it would again need approval from above. The organization does not want to reveal how much money the EBU earns from the ESC.
The “Bid Book” details how ESC stars, their delegations and also the representatives of the EBU must be looked after during the competition. They will be housed in the so-called “Delegation Bubble”, which must be at least 4,000 square meters in size. The requirements of the bubble include a photo studio, a separate hairstyling area for the shampoo company Moroccanoil or a tailor’s shop. The lighting in the bubble, write the EBU officials, should “radiate pleasant light”. The union also demands ten separate offices, of which it will occupy at least four itself; the air conditioning systems must be “disinfected in accordance with Covid-19 hygiene procedures”. Also desired is a separate WiFi network, which is exclusively available to EBU officials, SRG television producers and sponsors.
The “Bid Book” also states that the Swiss organizer must offer at least 3,000 hotel rooms during the ESC week – for delegates, journalists, sponsors, EBU officials, crew members and unspecified “visitors”. This corresponds to a good third of all hotel rooms available in the city of Basel. Previous events have shown that their capacity is unlikely to be sufficient. In the book, the officials make it clear that they particularly want rooms “at the lower price level” for the delegations. Accommodation that is no more than half an hour’s drive from the event location is also welcome. It is therefore quite conceivable that the next ESC winner will stay in a cheap hotel in Olten or Liestal.
Many young people from Basel are probably looking forward to being able to immerse themselves in the sparkling world of the ESC for a few days as volunteers. However, they will probably have to give way to the SRG employees first. The “Bid Book” states: “SRG employees will be given the privilege of registering as volunteers during a certain period before the ESC 2025.” The SRG will support these missions “within the scope of its operational possibilities.” A total of 500 to 800 volunteers are to be deployed. When asked, the SRG did not say whether it will actually insist on its privilege.
The security requirements are also set out in detail in the “Bid Book”. It explains exactly where particularly meticulous controls and international airport standards should apply; the use of sniffer dogs is also ordered. The supply of electricity is also regulated. Powerful diesel generators that can compensate for failures are proposed. This is because the electricity for the show must be guaranteed. And, as the authors emphasize, “regardless of the electricity supply situation in Switzerland”.
In the “Bid Book”, the officials also explain how a host city can slowly build up an ESC atmosphere. They write how the ESC can dominate a cityscape two weeks before the final. The aim is to achieve the most impressive possible “event visibility”, as the authors call it. They recommend a long list of measures to achieve this. For example, hanging up to 400 banners on lampposts and over the main streets, a prominently placed countdown clock, taxis with ESC livery, digital billboards throughout the city or constant visibility on screens in public transport.
Last Wednesday, the ESC in Basel came a significant step closer when the Grand Council decided to invest 35 million francs in the contest. The opponents, including the small religious party EDU, immediately declared that they wanted to call a referendum. And that is definitely the beginning of the greatest feudal adventure in Basel since Udalricus the Second.
An article from the «»
What are the key financial responsibilities outlined in the “City Bid Book” for hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2025?
Exclusive: Unveiling the Secret Document Governing Eurovision Song Contest 2025
The Eurovision Song Contest, often referred to as the biggest cultural event in the world, is set to take place in 2025, and a special document has been created to outline the terms and conditions of hosting this prestigious event. Known as the “City Bid Book,” this confidential document has been obtained by us, providing an exclusive glimpse into the secret world of Eurovision.
A Precious Fief: The History of Eurovision
Just like Bishop Udalricus II, who received a fief from the German emperor a thousand years ago, the people of Basel have been bestowed with the precious task of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest. However, this privilege comes with a set of rules and regulations outlined in the “City Bid Book.”
The Secret Document: What It Reveals
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), responsible for overseeing the competition since its inception in the 1950s, has created the “City Bid Book” to guide the host city in organizing the event. While the document was initially intended to remain confidential, we have obtained a copy through the City of Zurich’s Freedom of Information Act.
The 50-page document outlines the terms and conditions for hosting the contest, including the financial responsibilities of the host city, the division of sponsorship revenue, and the expectations of the EBU. Here are five key points from the secret document:
- Financial Burden: The host city is expected to cover most of the costs associated with hosting the event, including venue rental, security, and infrastructure expenses.
- Sponsorship Revenue: The EBU retains the rights to all sponsorship revenue, with the exception of a maximum of six national sponsors, whose revenue goes to the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG).
- Tourism Benefits: While the EBU emphasizes the potential tourism benefits for the host city, it does so in a vague manner, citing Liverpool’s “expected” increase in tourism sales following the 2023 contest.
- Host City Contract: The “City Bid Book” serves as a precursor to the binding “Host City Contract,” which outlines the specific terms and conditions for the host city.
- EBU’s Control: The EBU retains significant control over the event, including the right to approve all aspects of the contest’s production and execution.
The Impact of Eurovision
While the “City Bid Book” provides valuable insights into the inner workings of the Eurovision Song Contest, it also raises questions about the true benefits of hosting such a massive event. As the people of Basel prepare to take on the challenge of hosting Eurovision 2025, they would do well to carefully consider the financial and logistical implications outlined in the secret document.
About the Author
Corinne Cumming is a journalist and Eurovision expert who has been following the contest for years. In this exclusive article, she provides a unique perspective on the “City Bid Book” and its implications for the host city
