Michelle Hunziker was confirmed as one of the hosts for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, which will take place in Basel, Switzerland. The announcement was made during a press conference organized by SRG SSR, the Swiss television broadcaster, where it was revealed that Hunziker will co-host the event alongside Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer. According to Tribune de Genève, the trio forms a "dream team" for the highly anticipated event.
Hunziker, 47, is a Swiss-Italian television presenter known for her charismatic personality and professionalism on international stages. She holds both Swiss and Italian passports and speaks fluent German, Italian, French, and English. Her extensive experience includes co-hosting the German show "Wetten, dass..?" alongside Thomas Gottschalk, as noted by Neue Zürcher Zeitung. Expressing her enthusiasm for the upcoming role, Hunziker said, "I am very happy to be able to host, especially with these two. There is a fantastic energy and it will definitely be fun," according to Focus Online.
Joining Hunziker are Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer, both esteemed figures in Switzerland's entertainment industry. Brugger, a 31-year-old Swiss-German cabaret artist, is known in Germany from the satirical show "Heute-Show" on ZDF. Born in the US and raised near Zurich, she now resides in the Darmstadt region of Germany. "She captivates with her deadpan humor and keen sense of observation," as 20 Minuten reports. Brugger has received several accolades, including the German Comedy Award in 2020 as Best Comedian.
Sandra Studer, a Swiss singer and television presenter, brings her own Eurovision experience to the hosting team. She represented Switzerland in the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest, securing fifth place with the song "Canzone Per Te."
The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 marks the 69th edition of the event and will be held at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel from May 13 to May 17. It is the first time in history that the contest will take place in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, as reported by TGCOM24. Switzerland earned the right to host after the victory of the Swiss band Nemo in Malmö, Sweden, last year. This will be the third time Switzerland hosts the Eurovision Song Contest, following previous editions in Lugano in 1956 and Lausanne in 1989.
The semifinals on May 13 and 15 will be moderated by Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer. The grand final on May 17 will see all three hosts—Hunziker, Brugger, and Studer—take the stage together. "A trio exclusively composed of women will animate the Eurovision stage in May in Basel," notes 20 Minuten.
In addition to the main event, a public viewing experience is planned at the nearby St. Jakob-Park, the stadium of FC Basel. The "Arena Plus" event will feature live performances and large screens accommodating up to 36,000 spectators. Swiss presenters Sven Epiney and Mélanie Freymond will host the public viewing, and they will also be responsible for announcing Switzerland's points during the contest. Mélanie Freymond will share an auxiliary stage with star presenter Sven Epiney, where musical performances and a live public broadcast of the event will take place, reports Tribune de Genève.
Tickets for both the Eurovision Song Contest final and the public viewing event will be available for purchase starting at the end of January. Those who have pre-registered will have the opportunity to participate in a first wave of ticket sales on January 29. "The event is attracting the public: more than 500,000 people have registered for pre-registrations," according to 20 Minuten.
Hunziker's appointment as host has been met with widespread approval. "It is no surprise that the organizers chose Michelle Hunziker as the host, and many people said that she is the best choice for the hosting role," writes Tages-Anzeiger. Her previous statements hinted at her desire to host the event in her native country. In an interview with Blick, she stated, "Of course I would do it immediately."
The Eurovision Song Contest is renowned as the largest music competition in the world, with more than 150 million viewers tuning in each year. This year's edition will see 38 countries participating.
Hazel Brugger expressed her excitement about co-hosting the prestigious event. Known as "the queen of wit," according to the jury of the German Kleinkunstpreis, Brugger brings a sharp sense of humor and observational skills to the stage. "She has captured the audience with her dry humor and keen observation," reports Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.
With the confirmation of the hosting trio, preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel are in full swing. The organizers aim to deliver aN event that celebrates music, diversity, and unity across Europe.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.