Eurovision 2025: Date, Bets, Odds, Participants

The 69th Eurovision Song Contest, the Old World’s biggest annual music event, will take place from May 13–17, 2025, at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland. Bookmaker that always accepts bets on Eurovision with good odds — 1xBet.

Following Nemo’s victory with “The Code” in Malmö last year, this marks the 1st time Eurovision will be hosted in Basel, a city located at the heart of Europe’s “border triangle,” near France and Germany. 

Eurovision 2025 will feature 37 countries, including the return of Montenegro, last seen in 2022.

Unfortunately, countries like Andorra, Slovakia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Morocco, Belarus, and Russia will remain absent this time around.

The contest will have 3 main shows (all starting at 21:00 CEST): 

What’s New in 2025?

As said before, the lineup includes 37 countries, with Montenegro making a comeback after a 2-year absence due to financial constraints. Montenegro’s Nina Žižić will perform Dobrodošli (Welcome). 

Another twist involves the Netherlands. While there were doubts about their participation, broadcaster AVROTROS confirmed they’re back in the game. This comes after Joost Klein was sidelined ahead of the 2024 Grand Final following an incident involving a production team member.

How Often Do Bookies Get Eurovision Predictions Right?

Over the past 18 years, bookmakers have correctly predicted the Eurovision winner 10 times, with 7 misses (one year is excluded due to COVID-19).

This gives bookies a 58.8% success rate, meaning that they mostly get it right.

Take 2024, for instance. Croatia’s Baby Lasagna was the odds-on favorite but finished 2nd, while Switzerland’s Nemo, ranked as the 3rd favorite, claimed the crown with “The Code.” Still, the bookies weren’t too far off. Compare that to the three years prior (2021–2023), when clear favorites like Italy’s Måneskin, Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, and Sweden’s Loreen all lived up to expectations.

Eurovision 2025 Betting Odds

As of May, the latest betting odds for ESC 2025 from 1xBet highlight that Sweden (2.18) and Austria (3.02) lead the race, while France’s odds have drifted to 9.8. Israel (14) and Finland (16) round out the top five.

The host nation is already secured in the finals, but most of the “Big Five” (Germany, Spain, UK) aren’t cracking the top 5 favorites list — unsurprising given recent form.

Interestingly, 1xBet also offers a market for the “Worst Big Five Country”. Here, Spain (1.85) is the favourite to finish lowest among the Big Five, with Britain (2.75) and Germany (6) also having low odds. France (26) is seen as the least likely to be the “worst”.

JJ with the song “Wasted Love” is just behind the Swedish representatives KAJ

Full List of Eurovision 2025 Participants

Past Winner Recap: Eurovision 2024

In Eurovision 2024, Nemo claimed victory for Switzerland with “The Code,” earning a total of 591 points (365 from the juries — ranking 1st — and 226 from the televote, placing 5th). This was Switzerland’s 3rd win in Eurovision history (their first in 36 years, since Céline Dion’s iconic 1988 performance). 

Nemo after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2024

Fun fact: Nemo also became the contest’s 1st non-binary winner. Yes, really the 1st. Conchita Wurst doesn’t count — Tom Neuwirth, who performs as Conchita, identifies as male and uses drag as an artistic persona.

Venue, Events, and Tickets

The St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel (12,400 capacity) will be the main stage for the event. Just a short walk away, the Messe & Congress Center takes over as the fun hub, hosting the Eurovision Village and Euroclub, offering public viewings, afterparties, and exclusive live performances.

Information about tickets for the main event you can find on the official site eurovision.tv.