Next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will be held in the Swiss city of Basel, public broadcaster SRG said on Friday.

Basel beat competition from Geneva to host the event in May 2025, which Switzerland will host after singer Nemo won this year’s competition in Malmo, Sweden.

The two Swiss cities were the final candidates chosen according to criteria that included transport connections, hotel capacity and security.

Other factors included available venues, sustainability and how to dispose of waste, as well as experience with large scale events.

“Congratulations to Basel,” said Reto Peritz and Moritz Stader, the co-executive producers of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), in a statement.

“We look forward to working with you to make the ESC an unforgettable experience for everyone.”

The final of the event, which was watched by 163 million viewers around the world this year, will be held on Saturday, May 17.

In Basel, authorities have said the event would be held at the St Jakobshalle, which can accommodate 12,000 Eurovision fans.

In addition to Geneva, other potential hosts cities – Zurich and a joint bid by Bern and Nemo’s hometown Biel – had made unsuccessful applications.

(Reuters)