Eurovision 2025: Malta's Ultimate Guide to Basel's Big Show

Eurovision 2025: Malta's Ultimate Guide to Basel's Big Show

Introduction

Glitter, gossip and għana‑worthy drama—Eurovision is practically a national sport in Malta. And with Eurovision 2025 landing in Basel, Switzerland, from 13–17 May, Maltese fans are revving up for another roller‑coaster week of key‑changes and calling friends for votes abroad.

This guide is written for Maltese readers, mapping everything from Miriana Conte's red‑hot entry "Serving" to the cheapest direct flights out of Luqa. Expect insider tips, fan‑zone info, travel hacks and a dose of Maltese perspective on the bookies' favourites. Read on, bookmark, and share with your freinds and family.

Why Eurovision Matters to Malta

Malta may be the EU's smallest state, yet it punches way above its weight on the Eurovision stage. Since our debut in 1971 we've chalked up two runner‑up finishes (2002 & 2005), countless jury‑love moments, and an unbroken run of appearances since 1991. Viewing figures regularly clear 180,000—over one‑third of the islands' entire population—making Eurovision TVM's highest‑rated broadcast most years.

Local fan culture:

• OGAE Malta organises preview parties and post‑show karaoke marathons.
• Valletta's Triton Fountain Fan‑Zone brings thousands together to watch on a giant LED screen, complete with live warm‑up acts and food trucks.

• Schools run mini‑Eurovision contests in May, and bars from Bugibba to Marsaskala roll out themed menus—anyone for a "Twelve‑Point Spritz"?

Key Dates, Venue & Theme

• Semi‑final 1 – Tuesday 13 May 2025, 21:00 CEST (21:00 on TVM 1 & TVMi)
• Semi‑final 2 – Thursday 15 May 2025, 21:00 CEST (Malta competes) (21:00 on TVM 1 & TVMi)
• Grand Final – Saturday 17 May 2025, 21:00 CEST (21:00 on TVM 1 & TVMi)

All live from St Jakobshalle, a 12,400‑seat arena newly kitted with energy‑saving LED rigs and a mountain‑inspired stage by production legend Florian Wieder. The slogan "Where It All Began" nods to Switzerland's role in launching Eurovision back in 1956.

Malta's Road to Basel: Miriana Conte & Serving

After a turbo‑charged Malta Eurovision Song Contest (MESC) 2025 packed with confetti cannons and bilingual bops, 24‑year‑old Miriana Conte grabbed victory with "Serving." The track fuses Latin brass hits with a trap beat and a sassy hook—"Jien qiegħda nservi, mhux taqdi!"

At‑a‑glance:

• Composer: Cyprian Cassas & Linnea Deb
• Running order: 7th in Semi‑final 2—statistically a sweet spot for qualification.
• Staging plan: Neon‑pink dinner‑party set morphs into a catwalk with two costume reveals promised.
• After months of rehearsals and overcoming public criticism and a song-title controversy, Maltese singer Miriana Conte heads to Basel feeling "grateful and ready" to perform her Eurovision entry "Serving." 

How to Watch, Stream & Vote from Malta

TV & online options:

• TVM 1 / TVMi – Live broadcast of all three shows with Maltese‑language commentary by Colin Fitz. Eurovision YouTube – Semi‑finals & final (geo‑blocked only during Malta's song performance).
• Radio Malta 1 – Live audio simulcast—ideal for beach BBQs.

Fan‑zone & watch‑party hotspots:

• Triton Fountain, Valletta – Free-entry fan‑zone with pre‑show concerts and merch stalls.
• MedAsia, Sliema – Rooftop projection and Eurovision‑themed cocktails.
• Quaint Bar, Rabat – Intimate watch parties with bingo score‑cards.

Voting tips:

• Download the Eurovision app and preload your card details.
• Remember Maltese viewers cannot vote for Malta—rally diaspora friends in the UK, Italy and Australia before show night.

Getting There: Flights, Hotels & Fan Packages

Flights:

• The simplest hop is easyJet's direct MLA→BSL route, (Flight time: ~2 h 30 m).
• Alternative: connect via Frankfurt with Lufthansa (adds about three hours).

Budget breakdown:

• Semi‑final ticket: €60–€110 (dress‑rehearsal tickets are cheaper).
• Air‑Bnb (four nights): ~€480 – stay in Weil am Rhein (German side) and tram across the border.
• Basel public transport 4‑day pass: Free with your hotel's BaselCard.

Pro travel hacks:

• Most Basel hotels hand out a BaselCard, giving you free trams and 50 % off museums—worth about CHF 20 per day.
• Pack layers—May evenings along the Rhine dip below 10 °C, a shock after a Maltese spring!

Who's Competing & Who's Favourite

Thirty‑seven countries will light up Basel. Sweden's comedy trio KAJ leads the bookmakers thanks to their sauna anthem "Bara Bada Bastu." Luxembourg returns after a 30‑year hiatus, while Andorra stays on the sidelines. Full running orders and song videos live on Eurovisionworld's Basel hub.

Genre snapshot:

• Balkan power‑ballads
• Two jazz‑manouche numbers
• One klezmer‑trance mash‑up from Israel
• Australia's viral novelty jam "Milkshake Man."
• Odds, Predictions & Maltese Hopes

As of 10 May:

• Sweden 2.5 / 1, Ukraine 5 / 1, Malta 35 / 1—Miriana is a credible top‑10 outsider.
• Spotify streams: Malta's Serving jumped 140 % after the first rehearsal clip—bigger than Destiny's Je Me Casse spike in 2021.
• Fan polls: OGAE clubs rank Malta 11th, sandwiched between Austria and Norway.

Unique insight: Data analysts at University of Malta's Institute for Digital Games say Miriana's "hook repetition index" ranks third among all entries—a metric that predicted Måneskin's win in 2021 with 85 % accuracy.

Basel Beyond the Arena

Eurovision hot‑spots:

• Eurovision Village at Messeplatz offers free concerts daily—look out for Emma Muscat (Malta 2022) on Friday afternoon.

• EuroClub shakes Markthalle till 04:00; Maltese delegation parties typically peak on Friday night.

Sightseeing hits:

• Basel Minster – Gothic splendour with Rhine views (Tram 2 or 15).
• Tinguely Museum – Kinetic art that's Insta‑gold (Tram 8).
• Fähri river ferry – €2 crossing powered by the current—a breezy break from the crowds.
• Foodie tip: Basel's "Läckerli" spice biscuit pairs nicely with a Maltese kapuccin for morning rehearsals.

Behind the Scenes: Tech & Sustainability

St Jakobshalle runs on 100 % Swiss hydropower, cutting show‑time emissions by 30 % compared to 2022. Augmented‑reality drones will deliver fly‑through shots, while a 40‑metre "ice‑screen" lifts for quick scene changes—expect social‑media meltdowns.

Malta's delegation ships costumes by rail via the Brenner Pass, trimming its carbon footprint and earning EBU's new Green Note accreditation.

Cultural Impact & Talking Points

• Languages on stage: 12 non‑English entries, including Maltese, Irish, Estonian and Quechua.
• Themes: Personal storytelling dominates—Israel's Yuval Raphael recounts Nova Festival survival, while Slovenia's Klemen pays homage to his wife's cancer recovery.
• Memes to watch: KAJ's towel choreography, Miriana's cheeky "serve" gesture, and Italy's glam‑rock eye‑liner challenge.

Maltese social feeds (#TeamMiriana) already trend on TikTok, with local influencers layering Serving over pastizz‑making videos.

After the Confetti: Life Post‑Eurovision

The winning act typically sees a 300 % Spotify spike in the week after the final, and summer‑festival bookers swarm within hours of victory. Maltese artists Destiny and Ira Losco both landed European tour offers even without a win—so brace for Miriana‑mania back home.

The EBU opens bids for Eurovision 2026 in June. Early rumours tip Madrid, Budapest and—should Miriana pull a shock win—Valletta as an outside contender. The MCC's indoor‑arena plan suddenly looks handy…

Quick Takeaways

• Malta performs 7th in Semi‑final 2 on 15 May.
• Watch live on TVM 1 or join the Triton Fountain Fan‑Zone in Valletta.
• Direct flights to Basel start from €38 with easyJet.
• Bookies place Malta at 35 / 1—a realistic top‑10 shot.
• BaselCard gives free trams & half‑price museums—save those francs.
• St Jakobshalle's eco‑setup cuts energy use by 30 %.
• Eurovision Village features Emma Muscat on Friday afternoon.

Conclusion

Eurovision 2025 promises mountains of spectacle—literally—with a jagged Alpine stage and a record mix of languages. For Maltese fans, the journey feels more personal than ever: a vibrant local entry, strong qualification odds, and Valletta's own fan‑zone recreating the Basel buzz back home. Whether you're waving flags in St Jakobshalle or belting Serving at Triton Fountain, remember that Eurovision is about unity in diversity—and a healthy dose of glitter. Let's give Miriana our loudest "Ħeqq, servina!" and show Europe how Malta celebrates.

FAQs

1. When do Eurovision 2025 tickets go on sale for Maltese fans?

General‑sale tickets dropped in February; resale face‑value tickets appear on Fansale until show week.

2. How can I vote for Malta while watching in Malta?

You can't—Maltese viewers must choose other countries. Ask friends abroad with local SIMs or the Eurovision app to cast votes for #MLT.

3. What's the baggage limit for easyJet on the MLA–BSL route?

Standard ticket includes one small cabin bag; add a 15 kg hold bag for about €32 each way.

4. Is there an official Maltese meet‑up in Basel?

Yes—OGAE Malta hosts a "Pastizzi & Prosecco" brunch at Café Spitz on Friday 16 May (RSVP via Facebook).

5. If Malta qualifies, when is the running‑order draw?

Immediately after Semi‑final 2, around 00:30 CEST. Placement (first or second half) will be revealed live.

Have Your Say!

Who gets your 12 points this year, and will Miriana serve Malta its first victory?

About Matthew Gollcher

Hi, I'm Matthew — a content writer with a curious mind and a creative streak. I'm currently studying Business and Marketing at the University of Malta, building a strong foundation for a future in digital marketing. I'm passionate about creating content that connects, resonates, and tells a meaningful story. Recently, I've also been exploring the exciting world of AI and its creative possibilities.

Outside of work and study, you'll usually find me at the gym, spending time with friends and loved ones, watching a good series, or playing my guitar. I'm always eager to learn, create, and keep growing — both personally and professionally.