DE/EN Handbuch/Handbook Volunteers ESC 2025

The term ableism is derived from the Anglo-American word ability and encompasses various forms of discrimination against people with disabilities. It describes how people with disabilities are reduced to their physical, psychological, or cognitive impairments, while their strengths are overlooked.

People with disabilities experience ableism in everyday life through exclusion or derogatory behavior toward them. Even seemingly positive behavior, such as excessive praise or paternalistic care, can be ableist. Ableism also occurs when a disability is either ignored or overly emphasized—for example, when someone is praised for being able to do something despite their disability.

However, ableism goes beyond mere hostility toward people with disabilities. It is not just about individual interactions but also about societal conditions and structures. Therefore, ableism is not only expressed through inappropriate comments but also through physical and systemic barriers—such as staircases without ramps or the lack of accessible communication options.

Accessible Communication

• Blind person

• Deaf person

• Wheelchair user

If you experience disability-related discrimination during the ESC, you can access professional support 24/7 from May 10–19 via the hotline, in safer spaces, or through the Mobile Awareness Teams.

Inclusion Handicap offers legal advice for people with disabilities on issues of discrimination and equal rights. 

 At the closing party on June 27, 2025, the Volunteer Award ceremony will take place.

The award is based on the number of hours volunteered and may also be given in other categories. The person with the most volunteer hours will receive a special recognition.

• The earliest pickup is possible from April 4, once the confirmation email has been received.
  • Please plan at least 1 hour for the pickup.
  • Make sure to bring the confirmation email with the QR code as well as the ID used for the accreditation application.
  • The accreditation must always be worn visibly during every assignment. TAKING A PICTURE OF YOUR ACCREDITATION IS FORBIDDEN! 

After shift confirmation, you will receive an invitation to the accreditation platform (email domain: @eventgo.se). There, you will need to upload your ID/passport, personal details, and a photo.

Security Regulations:

• An official background check will be conducted.

• The accreditation must always be worn visibly.

• Accreditation is non-transferable.

• In case of loss: 50 CHF replacement fee.

• Misuse will result in the immediate revocation of accreditation.

Make sure to allow enough time to pick up your accreditation at the Accreditation Center. If possible, complete this process days before your shift, as soon as you receive the invitation via email.

Pickup: Accreditation Center

Opening hours: From 4th April 7.30h - 19.00h / 12th May - 17th of May 7.30h - 21.25h

Are you experiencing harassment or discrimination? Have you witnessed violence or hostility, or is someone seeking help from you?

We advise against traveling by car, as parking spaces in Basel and the surrounding region are very limited.

For those arriving by car, paid Park & Ride (P+R) parking spaces are available on the outskirts of Basel. Paid parking is also available in the city's parking garages. The parking guidance system and signage on the main access roads will direct visitors to available parking spaces. From there, onward travel to the city center is possible by tram and bus.

No parking will be available at St. Jakobshalle and St. Jakob-Park.

The binational EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is located just seven kilometers from the city center and offers direct flights from most European cities. From the airport, Bus Number 50 takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the city center. The bus stop is located right outside the arrivals hall (Level 2). The bus runs several times per hour until 00:30.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the TNW ticket machine at the bus stop (single ticket, 3 zones). Ticket purchase is not possible on board the bus.

From Zürich Airport, direct trains run to Basel SBB.

Basel is easily accessible by train. High-speed trains from major European cities, including Paris, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin, and Milan, connect to the three stations in Basel: Basel SBB, Basel Badischer Bahnhof, and Basel SNCF. Excellent connections are also available to all Swiss cities.

Links:

• Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (SBB)
• Deutsche Bahn (DB)
• Société nationale des chemins de fer français (SNCF) 

During the entire ESC from May 10-18, professional help with various forms of violence and discrimination will be available directly on site and around the clock:

• 24/7 hotline +41 58 105 17 17 (save it for safekeeping)
• Contact points/Safer Spaces at Barfüsserplatz, Messeplatz, St. Jakobs-Halle and Arena Plus. Here, those affected can find help and get their bearings in peace.

These services are for those affected and also for people who support those affected, for example you.

This help is:

• Free of charge
• Can be anonymous
• In spoken language: German, English and French. Technical aids and interpreters are available for other languages, including sign languages
• The wishes of the person concerned are respected at all times. You can help most effectively if you refer those affected to this service or show them this option. The conversations are conducted by professionals on site.

There is no obligation to report to the police. These services are also there for you if you experience violence or discrimination in your work. You can find out exactly what you can do in the nachtsam-training course:

• Link: https://www.nachtsam.info/interner-bereich-esc-basel-2025-stufe-c/
• Username: ESC-Basel-2025-StufeC
• Password: StufeC@ESCxNachtsam2025!

Enclosed you will find information for passengers with reduced mobility: Barrierefreiheit BVB

On the Basel Tourismus website you will find extensive information on barrier-free mobility in Basel as well as on the accessibility of public facilities, hotels and museums: Basel Barrierefrei.

You can find more information about drug checking and responsible substance use here: Drug Checking | bs.ch

MesseQuartier

The Messe- und Congress Center Basel is located in Kleinbasel in the heart of the MesseQuartier and, with over 141,000 m² of exhibition space, is one of the most important exhibition and congress centers in Europe - an ideal location for the supporting events of the ESC 2025. In 2025, the Eurovision Village will take place indoors in Hall 1 of Messe Basel for the first time. Not only will the Volunteer Lounge be located here, but there will also be a daily program of live concerts, public viewings, food and drink stands and other ESC-related activities from 10 to 17 May 2025. Admission is free.

How to get there: Take streetcar line 1 or 2 from the SBB/SNCF station to the “Messeplatz” stop, which takes you to Messe Basel and the Congress Center in ten minutes. From Badischer Bahnhof, you can get there in two stops on line 2 or 6.

Opening hours: May 10 - 17 from 12.00 - 24.00 (except final day 12.00 - 03.00)

Accessibility: The Messe Basel and Congress Center Basel are barrier-free.

Admission: The Eurovision Village is accessible free of charge. There is a security check at the entrance and certain items are prohibited. There is a strict "no-bag" policy!

Program: Eurovision Village - Eurovision Song Contest

Responsibility: MCH on behalf of the Canton of Basel-Stadt

EuroClub & Café are located opposite the Eurovision Village in the Messe Basel event hall. Around 3,000 ESC fans will party here every day from May 10 to 17, 2025 until late into the night. The EuroClub requires a ticket. A box office is available.

Program: EuroClub & Café - Eurovision Song Contest

For further questions about the ESC, you can also consult the FAQ on the official Eurovision Basel website: www.eurovision-basel.ch/faq.

Attached you will find the guidelines for filming and publishing that apply in the Main Venue:

LGBTIQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer and other gender identities and sexual orientations. Due to the history and significance of the event for the queer community, a particularly large number of queer guests are expected at the ESC. And there are also queer people among the artists, delegations, staff and volunteers. Respectful and sensitized contact with people in their diversity is important so that everyone can feel welcome and safe at the ESC.

What can you contribute to this?

Openness and respect:

Meet people openly and respectfully.
When we meet someone, we cannot assume that we can recognize their gender or sexual orientation from the outside. Bear this in mind when communicating with others.

Pronouns, names and language:

You can write your name and pronouns on the extra badge that will be provided to you. This shows how you would like to be addressed and that you are sensitive to this issue. Your chosen name and pronouns do not have to match your official name and registered gender.
Use gender-inclusive language, for example by writing in a gender-neutral way or using a colon. When speaking, you can practice using the so-called glottal stop, for example, by making a short pause when pronouncing “Künstler:innen”, i.e. saying “Künstler - innen”. Pay attention to how others do it: Hazel Brugger uses this when speaking, for example.

Allyship and representation:

If you want, you can wear a pin or other accessories in queer colors to signify allyship or your own queerness. Saturday, May 17th is IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex and Transphobia. If you like, you can use the pens provided to paint on rainbow or trans colors and show solidarity or presence.

Offers:

There are all-gender restrooms in all venues.
Further information and links on the topic of LGBTIQ in Basel can be found here LGBTIQ | Canton of Basel-Stadt

Professional support for queer hostility:

If you or someone else experiences queer hostility, for example in the form of discrimination, insults or physical violence, professional help will be available around the clock during the ESC: from May 10-19, you can contact the 24/7 hotline , one of the Safer Spaces in the venues or one of the Mobile Awareness Teams. There are also queer people who work with these services. This offer is for those affected, but also if you want to support someone and don't know what to do, or if you want to report something.

Do you observe an argument, hostility or harassment? Are you being harassed yourself or are you being approached by someone who is? Then you can contact the Mobile Awareness Teams. You can recognize them by their purple vests.

The Mobile Awareness Teams will be out and about in public spaces and venues from May 10-17. They can be contacted at any time and can provide people with low-threshold help or accompany them to the Safer Space, for example, where they can receive advice from specialists.

You can inform those affected about the offer and refer them to the mobile awareness teams in the venues. If they are not within sight of you, you can contact the operations management by telephone on +41 76 200 66 64. The operations management will send the Mobile Awareness Teams to your location. It is important to note that this telephone number is only used for internal communication between you and the Mobile Awareness Teams.

You can find all information about this support offer here: www.eurovision-basel.ch/help

The Mobile Awareness Teams are professionally managed by Taktvoll Sicherheitskultur.

Volunteer Lounge & Opening Hours

Offspaces are also represented in Basel and offer visitors a unique experience. An overview of the offspaces is listed here: Summe Basel or Offspaces-Basel.

During the ESC, there will be Safer Spaces that will be set up as places of retreat for people affected by sexualized violence and hostility (racism, queerophobia and ableism). The Safer Spaces will be staffed by specialists from Opferhilfe beider Basel who are trained in dealing with victims.

Counseling is free of charge, sensitive to discrimination, confidential and available in various languages. The focus is on the wishes of those affected. The police are only involved if the person concerned wants this.

You can inform affected persons about the Safer Spaces. The person can then visit them independently or be accompanied there by you or the Mobile Awareness Teams.

The following Safer Spaces are located throughout the ESC area:
→ Eurovision Village & EuroCafé/Club: Messe Halle 5, May 10-17 
→ Eurovision Square & EuroStreet: Barfüsserplatz 6 (former des Arts), May 10-17 
→ Main Venue: St. Jakobshalle May 12-17 
→ Arena Plus: Sector A, May 17TH 

Opening times and exact locations can be found here www.eurovision-basel.ch/help. There is also a hotline (+41 58 105 17 17) & e-mail (safer@eurovision-basel.ch ), where specialists are available around the clock to provide support for affected persons or volunteers. These contacts will be communicated on posters throughout the ESC. You can give affected persons the number or email address. They can speak to specialists there.

Showtimes Main Venue

First Semi-Final
·         Evening Preview Show: Monday 12 May at 21:00 CEST: doors open 18:30
·         Afternoon Preview Show: Tuesday 13 May at 15:00 CEST: doors open 12:30
·         Live TV Show: Tuesday 13 May at 21:00 CEST: doors open 18:30

Second Semi-Final
·         Evening Preview Show: Wednesday 14 May at 21:00 CEST: doors open 18:30
·         Afternoon Preview Show: Thursday 15 May at 15:00 CEST: doors open 12:30
·         Live TV Show: Thursday 15 May at 21:00 CEST: doors open 18:30

Grand Final
·         Evening Preview Show: Friday 16 May at 21:00 CEST: doors open 18:30
·         Afternoon Preview Show: Saturday 17 May at 13:30 CEST: doors open 11:00
·         Live TV Show: Saturday 17 May at 21:00 CEST: doors open 18:30

It is extremely important to us that questions are answered correctly and as identically as possible on all channels.

Notes on behavioral guidelines for private social media activities during the ESC, from the social media guidelines of the Canton of Basel-Stadt:

As a private individual, you are allowed to express your opinion as long as it is clear from the respective statement that it is a private opinion and the overriding legal provisions are observed.

The same rules generally apply on social media platforms as in the public sphere. 

The rule of thumb is therefore:

You should only post pictures and texts on the internet that you would also show to colleagues, employees, superiors, students, patients, etc. at any time. You may not create your own community or channels on social media during the ESC that are not authorized.

Whether on social media or in conversation: Refer to official sources such as www.eurovision-basel.ch/faq, https://eurovision.tv/frequently-asked-questions-2025 or www.srgssr.ch/de/news-medien/dossiers/eurovision-song-contest/faq.

St. Jakob-Park (Arena plus)

St. Jakob-Park (“Joggeli”) is the largest football stadium in Switzerland and is located directly opposite St. Jakobshalle. The Arena Plus Public Viewing Show with 36,000 spectators will take place here on May 17, 2025. The show will be hosted by Mélanie Freymond and Sven Epiney. It starts at 19:30 with live performances by international and national acts as well as ESC stars. Afterwards, there will be a public viewing with exclusive live insights into the main venue.

Admission: Visitors need a ticket for the Arena Plus. 

Directions: Bus and streetcar stop Basel, St. Jakob. There are no parking spaces available on site.

Accessibility: For each wheelchair space, a ticket for an accompanying person at wheelchair level is mandatory and already included in the ticket price. Tickets for wheelchair users can be booked by e-mail: esc@ticketcorner.ch. The number of wheelchair spaces and seats for accompanying persons is limited.

Responsibility: Canton of Basel-Stadt

St. Jakobshalle (Main Venue)

The main show of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in the St. Jakobshalle. This is where SRG will set up a unique stage, where the delegations will rehearse, and where more than 50,000 spectators (around 6,000 per show) will watch the world's biggest music competition from May 12 to 17, 2025. The media center will be set up right next to the St. Jakobshalle, in the ice arena.

The St. Jakobshalle is designed for major events: The experienced team has been organizing international concerts, events and sporting events for over 45 years. Whether Queen, Tina Turner, Johnny Cash or Muse - countless top acts have performed here.

Access: The entire site is fenced in and secured. Only authorized persons have access. Similar to an airport, there is an entrance control. 

Directions: The “St. Jakob” stop on streetcar line 14 and bus line 36 is located directly in front of the St. Jakobshalle.

All timetables and fares can be found at www.bvb.ch.

Steinenvorstadt

Right next to Barfüsserplatz is Steinenvorstadt, which becomes Eurovision Street during the ESC - a nightlife area with street music and eye-catching decorations.

Admission: Free of charge.

How to get there: Tram lines 6, 10 streetcar stop “Heuwaage” or streetcar lines 3, 8, 11, 14 and 16 at streetcar stop “Barfüsserplatz”.

Accessibility: Information will follow.

More information on: Eurovision Song Contest in der Hostcity Basel

Official partner for the hall and Arena plus is Ticketcorner. Tickets can only be resold via the fansale channel (managed by Ticketcorner): Blind Channel bei fanSALE - Tickets

There is no guest list.

Parade Schedule – Sunday, 11th May (Marktplatz → Eurovision Village)

13:45
Pre-show / Start of the livestream

14:00
Official opening speech at Marktplatz

From approx. 14:05
Start of the parade
– Delegations depart at 3-minute intervals
– The last delegation will start approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes later

Destination: Eurovision Village
– Each delegation will go on stage for a short interview

Approx. 16:30
End of the parade

The award is based on the number of hours worked - the volunteer with the most hours receives a special award. The award ceremony will take place during the closing party.

A Wall of Fame will be set up for the volunteers, where they can leave messages - either via a letterbox or by e-mail. These messages are then hung on the wall. The aim is to promote appreciation and the community spirit. If you want to highlight a particular volunteer, you can immortalize their name and a personal message on the Wall of Fame.

For clothing pick-up, you can come to the Volunteer Lounge at Isteinerstrasse 21, Gate 101 (upper floor). There are still plenty of clothes available.

Barfüsserplatz is located in the heart of Grossbasel and will transform into Eurovision Square during the ESC, featuring exciting open-air concerts. From May 10–17, mostly local and regional acts will perform here daily.

Admission: Free entry.

Getting there: By tram on lines 3, 8, 11, 14, and 16.

Accessibility: Information to follow.

Eurovision Square Program: Programm Eurovision Square

People must not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. This prohibition of discrimination applies to people who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments. Disabilities arise from the interaction between impairments and various barriers that prevent people from participating fully, effectively and equally in society. 

Such barriers exist in buildings and public spaces, in communication or even “in people's heads”. It is often assumed that there is a certain standard that must be met by all people. Disabilities therefore depend on the situation and can be changed by society. If access to a building is possible without thresholds, for example, then a person in a wheelchair is not disabled. Accessible websites are accessible to people with visual impairments thanks to technical aids.

• Ableism
• Barrier-free communication
• Blind person
• Deaf person
• Wheelchair user

If you are affected by discrimination on the basis of disability during the ESC, you can contact professional support around the clock from May 10-19 at the 24/7 hotline, in the Safer Spaces or at the Mobile Awareness Teams.

The Behindertenforum Region Basel represents the concerns of people with disabilities. Inclusion Handicap offers legal advice on discrimination issues.

37 delegations with a maximum of 25 p/delegation. 

The Head of Delegation (often referred to as the “HoD”), acts as an authorised representative of the Participating Broadcaster. The Head of Delegation is the main point of contact with the EBU and the Host Broadcaster.

A strict no-drinking policy applies during the entire shift. The consumption of alcohol and drugs is strictly prohibited during a shift.

Due to the Eurovision Song Contest, there are various restrictions around the main venues in Basel. On this website you can find out more about security zones, the traffic concept and the timetable. The information will be updated regularly: Restricition during ESC

Is the person concerned responsive?
Check whether they are wishing, bleeding or in pain and contact the emergency number 144 if necessary.

Is the person concerned unconscious but breathing recognizably?
Place them in the recovery position and call 144. Check their breathing until the paramedics arrive.

Is the victim unconscious and not breathing?
Call 144 immediately and start resuscitation. Press firmly and quickly 30 times at a depth of 5-6 cm and at a rate of 100 to 120 times per minute in the center of the chest. This is followed by 2 rescue breaths. Pay attention to visible chest movements! If necessary, you can also perform only chest compressions without ventilation. If a defibrillator (AED) is available, switch on the device and follow the instructions.

More first aid tips under: First Aid Samariter Switzerland

ESC for all people

The ESC should be inclusive, diverse, barrier-free and safe. We are diverse and everyone is welcome - regardless of their gender, appearance, clothing, religion, origin, sexual orientation or disability. This means that no one is excluded or discriminated against. Everyone should have access and be able to join in the celebrations.

Tourists benefit from unlimited data and calls within Switzerland: 7 days for CHF 20: Prepaid eSIM for Tourists

Extended public transport services

Streetcar and bus lines

From Monday of the event week, services will be extended on the following lines:

Streetcar lines: 10, 11, 14
Bus lines: 36, 47, 50

Sunday to Thursday: The service corresponds to the Friday timetable, but with an extension of the night service by one hour.

ESC Night Lines

In addition to the regular night network, the following connections are offered:

Two ring lines
Lines 10 and 11 with extension to Aesch & Ettingen
Extended operating times for the Distribus

What can you do before, after or during the break? The program during this week will be very varied, so you'll have plenty of choice. But if you're already in Basel, it's also worth visiting the classic museums and cultural venues:

Classical Museums & Houses of Culture:

• Fondation Beyeler
• Basel Art Museum
• Tinguely Museum
• Vitra Design Museum
• Schaulager
• Kunsthalle Basel
• HeK (House of Electronic Arts)
• Basel Historical Museum (HMB)

Special places & museums:

• Hoosesagg Museum
• Novartis Campus
• Roche Towers
• Tinguely Fountain
• Hammering Man

You can find more information at Basel Tourismus: Tourist Information Basel [Schweiz] | basel.com

From 10th - 17th May in Hall 5 of Messe Basel there is a Lost & Found which is integrated into the large checkroom.

Basel is also a city of galleries and there is much to discover. An overview of the galleries can be found here: Galleries in Basel

Basel is not only the official host city of the ESC, but also a cosmopolitan and creative city with a lot to discover. To make it easier for tourists and guests to find their way around, you will find a selection of sights and highlights in the handbook.

During the ESC week, numerous restaurants will extend their opening hours, and on May 11 there will be an additional Sunday sale from 13:00 to 18:00. In this way, the Canton of Basel-Stadt aims to increase the attractiveness of the supporting program and at the same time promote considerate coexistence.

More information about the Host City Basel and the ESC program can be found here: Host City Basel Program

Tips for the hospitality industry

Whether for customers, guests, friends or family - with these tips you always have the right recommendation to hand. If you want to eat typical Basel food, you can try a flour soup, Fastenwähe or a Läggerli. Traditional Swiss cuisine is also often popular with tourists and guests from abroad - raclette and fondue are particularly popular here.

Here are some restaurant tips for classic and home-style cooking:

• Fischerstube
• Restaurant Schnabel
• Löwenzorn
• Brauner Mutz
• Safran Zunft
• Walliser Kanne 

Baslers are connoisseurs. In addition to many traditional, home-style restaurants, our city also offers the finest in Michelin-starred cuisine. Peter Knogl and Tanja Grandits have already been named “Chef of the Year”.

The restaurant scene in Basel is as diverse as its inhabitants. To ensure that there is something for every taste, here is an overview of all Basel restaurants: Restaurants in Basel

There is a bag drop at Kunsthaus BL (not a cloakroom), but it is not communicated in advance. Volunteers are not allowed to leave any items there. However, if visitors show up with bags and are unaware of the no-bag policy, they can leave their luggage there temporarily.

The beginnings of 69 years of Eurovision history 

The first Eurovision Song Contest was held in Lugano in 1956, with the Swiss singer Lys Assia winning with the song “Refrain” on May 24, 1956.

These cross-border television broadcasts were a first for Europe at the time. The basis for this success was a European directional network. Crossing the Alps with the TV images is central - although no longer over the classic Alpine passes, but over the Jungfraujoch.

The Eurovision fanfare is based on the “Te deum” composition by the French composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1634-1704). The Eurovision theme tune premiered during the broadcast of the Daffodil Festival in Montreux on June 6, 1954.

The term “Eurovision” was coined by the British journalist George Campey and quickly established itself in 1954 during the “European Television Weeks” in June and July 1954. The “British Broadcasting Company BBC” proves that television images can transcend national borders by broadcasting the coronation of the Queen on June 2, 1953. The ceremony can be followed live on television in France, Holland and Germany. The Eurovision project began in 1950 and was pioneered by Marcel Bezençon (1907-1981) from Vaud, who was Director General of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG at the time.

Detailed information on Eurovision and TV history in this article by Juri Jaquemet/Museum of Communication, Bern: https://www.mfk.ch/austauschen/blog/eurovision-song-contest-das-jungfraujoch

If you observe sexualized violence or discrimination or if a person affected seeks help from you, it is important:

• Take the person seriously and believe them.
• Ask if you can support the person.
• Point out possible courses of action
• Respect the wishes of the person affected.

Important:

• Always focus on the well-being of the person concerned.

Are you unsure what you can do? Call the 24/7 hotline on +41 58 105 17 17 or contact the contact points or mobile awareness teams. Professional advisors will then take over.

Make sure you use respectful language and treat each other with appreciation. The basic principles are: Communicate clearly, respectfully and in a solution-oriented manner. Being empathetic means recognizing and appreciating the needs and feelings of others.

Practical examples

Gender-inclusive language can be used to address everyone. As we cannot necessarily assume a person's gender, it is advisable to communicate in a gender-neutral way. This means using “Hello X” instead of “Dear Mr. X” in written communication.
Respect people's pronouns (she, he, none, they).

Here you can find the guidelines as a PDF attachment:

Specific health & safety measures apply for assignments in the Main Venue and the Press Center. Please refer to the PDF document for all relevant information.

More information on how to stay safe from drink spiking can be found here from the Basel-Stadt police: Spiking Drugs

To ensure uniform branding, you will receive official volunteer clothing from us consisting of a shirt, hoodie, poncho, cap, gym bag and water bottle. These should be combined with neutral trousers or a skirt. The wearing of other symbols or logos is not permitted.

Tips for communicating with people in wheelchairs:

• Speak to the person if they need help
• Always ask permission before pushing a person's wheelchair or touching the person
• Talk to the person and not to the person accompanying them
• Seating:
  • Reserve free seats for wheelchair users (without a chair)
  • Make sure that the person can get to the seat independently
  • Offer to apply the wheelchair brake for them

Tips for barrier-free communication with deaf people:

• Look at the person when speaking
• Speak High German
• Speak clearly with a clear articulation and at a comfortable pace
• Use natural gestures and facial expressions
• Speaking loudly is useless
• Use aids e.g. pictograms, your cell phone to write individual words on, maps to point to a place
• Use clear expressions
• Formulate sentences with one thought per sentence if possible
• Name the topic of conversation

If journalists wish to contact you, ask for information or interview you, please refer them consistently to:

Maja Hartmann, Media Officer of Host City Basel

esc-media@bs.ch

+41 79 859 10 75

Please direct any questions about the delegations to this office:

Bruno Beeckman

Delegation Manager ESC 2025

Tel +32 494 60 43 11

If you are unable to attend due to illness etc., please contact us via volunteers@bs.ch.
Anyone who does not cancel an assignment and cannot be reached by telephone will be excluded from the entire event.

Basel stands for dialog and exchange

Different perspectives on the world come together at the ESC. We create a place for encounters and the exchange of different experiences and backgrounds. We stand up for freedom of expression and dialog - but there are limits:

The ESC does not provide a platform for hate speech and propaganda. At demonstrations and in personal contact, it is important to communicate respectfully and to observe fundamental rights and the applicable law.

• Face coverings without special permission are prohibited.
• No weapons or objects capable of endangering people or damaging property may be carried in public spaces.

The Eurovision Song Contest is a protected trademark. The guidelines of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) must be observed: https://eurovision.tv/mediacentre/logos-and-artwork

The official ESC logo or other ESC promotional material is reserved for the ESC organizers, official partners and sponsors and may not be used for advertising or promotion of other events.

The Eurovision Song Contest attracts enormous regional, national and international media interest. In order to protect individuals and provide an overall perspective, media inquiries are ALWAYS forwarded to the central media office.

In your role as a volunteer, you must have statements or publications concerning the ESC 2025 approved by the Host City team.

According to the GTCs:

We understand that it is exciting to make an official contribution to the ESC 2025. However, it is important that certain rules regarding public statements apply to protect everyone involved.

Volunteers are obliged to keep confidential information about the ESC 2025 and its organizers confidential. In particular, no information regarding internal persons and artists may be passed on to third parties, such as arrival and departure times or whereabouts.
All statements or publications made in the capacity of a volunteer and relating to the ESC 2025 require the prior approval of the City of Basel. This does not apply to statements that are clearly recognizable without reference to the function as a volunteer.

Sustainability is a central component of our commitment and comprises three main areas: Transportation, Catering and Resources.

Transportation

If possible, please use public transportation for your event. Your accreditation allows you to use it free of charge. It is also advisable to use public transport or a bicycle for journeys between assignments or for catering.

Catering

A sustainable diet contributes to an environmentally friendly event. Give preference to vegetarian options and avoid wasting food by only taking as much as you can eat. Bring your reusable bottles and fill them up at the drinking water fountains or food stations.

Resources

Energy and water should be used consciously. Please separate recyclables and dispose of waste in the bins provided. Give preference to sustainable and reusable materials rather than disposable products.

To watch the awareness training of Nachtsam, you can log in here:

• Link: https://www.nachtsam.info/interner-bereich-esc-basel-2025-stufe-c/
• Username: ESC-Basel-2025-StufeC
• Password: StufeC@ESCxNachtsam2025!

SBB connections

The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) will be offering additional connections during the event:

• Hourly connections
  • S1 line: Between 01:20 and 03:20
  • S3 line: Between 01:45 and 03:45 (on both branches)
  • Shuttle trains

In addition to the regular train connections, special shuttle trains will be used to travel to and from the event:

• May 12-16: Three shuttle trains for the return journey after the end of the event
• May 17: Before the start of the show: Eight shuttle trains from Basel SBB to St. Jakob
  After the show: Ten shuttle trains for the return journey

These measures ensure that visitors to the event have a reliable and efficient connection to local public transport.

The platform (browser-based) and the app (for mobile devices) belong to the same system and are secured. In the event of minor problems, clicsoft will be able to solve them in just a few hours. In an emergency, there is a second version as an identical copy that can be started up. No major maintenance is carried out during the ESC.

In the event of problems with the platform, please contact info@swissvolunteers.ch by e-mail, as is the case now with the application process.

A broad program will be available to the public during the event week. You can find the entire Public Value program here: tba

Your shifts, times and locations are stored in theSwiss Volunteer App - App Store or Swiss Volunteer App Google Play, which you should ideally have downloaded.

Tips on places of interest

There is a lot to discover in our city. In addition to the architectural and cultural highlights, visitors will also find true classics. This is exactly what makes Basel so special: the harmonious interplay of old and new. Here we would like to introduce you to the classic sights and show you how to visit them efficiently - in case guests or other volunteers ask for recommendations.

Some must-sees, in case you are asked:

• Middle Bridge (Mittlere Brücke)
• Market Square (Marktplatz)
• St. Andrew's Square (Andreasplatz)
• Spalentor
• Münster
• Pfalz
• Roche Tower

Sexualized violence includes all unwanted acts that interfere with sexual self-determination and violate a person's sexual integrity.  It has nothing to do with flirting, but is a transgression of boundaries and begins where a person feels it individually. When their boundaries are crossed and violated. This can be, for example, unwanted touching, physical advances, lewd comments, persistent staring, whistling behind and even rape. Boundary violations become harassment and assault if the other person's signals are ignored, if they continue, if no “no” is accepted.

You may experience such boundary violations and assaults yourself, you may observe something or a person affected may contact you.

It is important to bear this in mind:

• Take your own experience seriously if you are affected yourself. You decide what feels right for you or not. You can also get support.
• Take the experience of the person affected seriously and listen carefully.
• Make sure that you remain calm and bring calm to the situation.
• Feel free to start by thanking the person for turning to you.
• Then see what options are available:

o You can inform affected persons about the Mobile Awareness Teams and refer them there if they are in your area or contact the operations management by telephone +41 76 200 66 64. This number is only intended for internal communication between LEVEL C and B.

o The hotline number +41 58 105 17 17 & the email address safer@eurovision-basel.ch will be communicated on posters and online www.eurovision-basel.ch/help throughout the ESC. You can pass on the number or email address to affected persons. They can speak to specialists there.

o You can inform affected persons about the Safer Spaces. The person can then visit these independently or you can accompany them there. You should then briefly discuss this with your manager.

Since we don't know what your own previous experiences are and therefore don't know what might be too much for you or exceed your own limits, it's important that you listen to yourself and take care.

Tips for communicating with people with visual impairments:

• Speak to the person in a friendly manner and ask if you can help them
• Introduce yourself
• Do not touch, stroke or feed a guide dog
• Always talk to the person and tell them what you are up to or where you are going
• If you are taking a blind person to a place, ask if they want to hold on to you and where. Then make sure you lead the way with clear steps.
• When showing a blind person to their seat, make sure that you place your hand on the back of the chair so that they can reach down along your arm and touch the chair.

Positive communication is essential, especially in stressful situations. Instead of negative phrases like:

“Unfortunately, that's not possible.”
“But that's difficult, I don't know.”
“Is that really necessary?”

you should use a supportive and appreciative choice of words:

“Unfortunately, it's not possible in this form, but I'm happy to look for a solution.”
“That will require a little more planning, but I'll take care of it and let you know as soon as possible.”
“I think we could solve this differently - I'd be happy to make a suggestion.”

Volunteers should communicate complaints or difficult situations in a professional and solution-oriented manner without taking them personally.

A passer-by complains that the ESC is unnecessary and only causes chaos in the city. Instead of reacting emotionally, you can say:

“I understand that an event of this size also brings challenges. But at the same time, the ESC offers a great opportunity to present our city internationally and bring people from all over Europe together. Perhaps you would like to come and see the atmosphere - there are many exciting program items outside of the show.”

Basically, stay calm in conflict situations and get someone to help you if necessary.

During the ESC week, there will be various guided tours where you can discover Basel from new perspectives. One special tour is the Queer Tour, which will be available from May.

For more information on the tours and to register, visit Basel Experiences. Take the opportunity to find out more about the city, its culture and exciting background information!

Free Public Transport with your Accreditation in the Basel Region

Valid on your day of assignment (until 05:00 the following day) for travel to and from your place of assignment in 2nd class within the area covered by the “Basel Day Pass” (TNW zones 10, 11, 13/EuroAirport, 14, and 15).

Currently, the following conditions apply for the use of public transport as part of your volunteer benefits:

• Only on your official assignment days (your duty schedule must be available in the app during ticket inspections)

• Only while wearing the official volunteer outfit

• Only with the official volunteer accreditation badge

• During ticket inspections, an official ID may also be requested to verify your volunteer badge

Public Transport Apps

Northwestern Switzerland

• TNW Tickets — available on Google Play

• Basel Go! — available on Google Play

Switzerland

• SBB Mobile App

• Fairtiq

Germany

• Fairtiq

• DB Navigator

France

• SNCF Connect

• Distribus

Public Transport Websites

Northwestern Switzerland

• www.blt.ch

• www.bvb.ch

• www.tnw.ch

Switzerland

• www.sbb.ch

• www.fairtiq.com

Germany

• www.sbb-deutschland.de

• www.db.de

France

• www.distribus.com

• www.sncf-connect.com

More information available at:
www.eurovision-basel.ch/verkehr

Please note that no accommodation is provided for volunteers. You are responsible for organizing your own accommodation. However, the host city will make every effort to provide as much accommodation as possible, especially during the ESC week. You can find an overview here: Eurovision Song Contest 2025 | basel.com

As a volunteer in the main venue (St. Jakobshalle), you will go through the Crew Entrance via the Media Centre and have a cloakroom there. You can hang a bag and jackets there.

If you have lost your volunteer clothing, you can purchase a replacement in the Volunteers Lounge for an additional charge:

T-shirt: CHF 25
Hoodie: 45 CHF
Pelerine: 75 CHF
Gymbag: 10 CHF
Cap: 20 CHF
Water bottle: 25 CHF

Please note that availability may be limited.

Catering during your Shift

If your shift lasts 6 hours or more, you are entitled to one hot meal.

Main Venue (St. Jakobshalle)

If you are assigned to the Main Venue, you will be catered for in the Staff Catering area together with the rest of the team.

City Venues (Eurovision Village & Eurovision Square)

If you are working outside the Main Venue, you will receive an F&B Voucher from us.

You can redeem this voucher from 10 to 17 May at the food stalls in the Eurovision Village (Messe Halle 1) or at Eurovision Square (Barfüsserplatz).

→ Look out for the Volunteer Cap at the food stands:
This marks the places where you can choose one meal of your choice and a 0.4L drink for free.

If you don’t find anything suitable there, you can use your voucher as a means of payment at any other food stand (value: CHF 15 incl. VAT). If the price exceeds this amount, you simply pay the difference yourself.

The deposit for the reusable dishes will always be charged — but you will get it back in full once you return the dishes.

Catering Hours

Catering is available from 10 May 2025, daily from 12:00 to 24:00.
Until 17 May 2025, catering will be available until the closing of Eurovision Square at 02:00 (18 May 2025).

Please note:
At the Main Venue, Staff Catering is available — volunteers are welcome to use this as well.

As a volunteer you are insured as follows: 

Liability: Volunteers are insured by the liability insurance of the Canton of Basel-Stadt while carrying out their volunteer activities for the ESC 2025. The insurance covers liability based on statutory liability provisions. 

Accident supplement: The Canton of Basel-Stadt has voluntarily taken out accident insurance for its volunteers with a lump-sum death benefit of CHF 20,000 / lump-sum disability benefit of CHF 100,000 (excluding medical expenses).

tbd

Access: Access to the Volunteers Lounge at the first floor is via Isteinsteinerstrasse 21 (Gate 101) with the elevator or the stairs.

Directions: Please refer to the attached map.

Security check: If you’re coming via Isteinerstrasse, you’re welcome to bring your bag and leave it briefly in the lounge while you get something to eat. Please remember to take your bag with you afterward – it cannot be stored there permanently. If you’d like to leave your bag for a longer period, you can drop it off from the 10th - 17th May in Hall 5.

24/7-Hotline: +41 58 105 17 17 

E-Mail: safer@eurovision-basel.ch