We recently surveyed Eurovision fans on their intentions of travelling to the 2025 Contest in Basel, Switzerland.
We asked them how likely it was they were going and what factors were influencing their decision.
There were 203 responses with 47% from Australia, 44% from Europe and 9% from the Rest of the World.
36% had never been to Eurovision before, while 64% had attended at least one contest.
Of course, this sample doesn't represent the entire Eurovision fan base. However, they can indicate some trends that would also influence less engaged fans.
Cost is raised across the board, particularly when it comes to accommodation. There are key differences based on who they fans are and how committed they are on attending.
Let's look at the results:
So how likely is it they are going?
Yes, I am definitely going - 14%
I think I'm going but not 100 per cent - 12%
I'm unsure at this stage - 12%
Unlikely that I am going - 17%
I am definitely not going - 44%
61% indicate they aren't or are unlikely to go, 24% are unsure but interested while just 14% have already decided to go.
What is influencing their decision?
For all responses the following reasons were of a "high" influence on the respondent's decision.
Cost of accommodation - 45%
Cost of travel - 34%
Cost tickets - 32%
Israel participating- 28%
The host city - 19%
Getting time off or other commitments - 17%
Availability of tickets - 17%
If their own nation is competing - 10%
Less passion for Eurovision - 10%
The top reasons were unsurprisingly all cost-related. Israel competing was also a high influence for over one in four respondents.
But are these influencing those who are going, aren't going or who are just unsure?
Let's break it down.
Those definitely not going
The following reasons were of a "high" influence on those definitely not going.
Cost of accommodation - 51%
Cost of travel - 43%
Cost tickets - 37%
Israel participating- 34%
The host city - 22%
Getting time off or other commitments - 17%
Less passion for Eurovision - 14%
If their own nation is competing - 13%
Availability of tickets - 11%
The influencing reasons were higher for those not going in every category except the availability of tickets.
Cost of travel (+9%), cost of accommodation (+6%) and Israel participating (+6%) were the biggest differences.
Some other reasons were also given, here is a sample of quotes provided:
Safety and security of contest
The unsavoury outcome of Joost Klein's case makes me feel rather uncertain about next year's competition.
Non actions of EBU
General dissatisfaction with the functioning of the EBU, the way in which complaints and the Dutch disqualification was handled, the competition getting too big to be financially accessible for both broadcasters and fans
Just not a fan of the EBU. Last year was gross to attend and not a great experience.
My experience in Malmö wasn’t exactly the best. I want to get my money’s worth and I am not sure I will get it. Moreover, with everything that went on and has been going on since May, I don’t want to give the EBU a single cent.
Just want a break and no immediate feeling of wanting to be there this year
The lack of positive changes at the top after the disaster of 2024
Those definitely not going were more likely to:
Have not gone to Eurovision before (47% compared to 36% of all respondents)
Be from Australia (53% compared to 47%)
Least influenced by their own country competing and the availability of tickets compared to others
Those interested/unsure but not 100% committed
The following reasons were of a "high" influence on those interested but still undecided.
Cost of accommodation - 40%
Availability of tickets - 31%
Cost of tickets - 24%
Israel participating- 24%
The host city - 22%
Cost of travel - 18%
Getting time off or other commitments - 16%
If their own nation is competing - 11%
Less passion for Eurovision - 2%
Although the cost of accommodation was still the most significant influence, the availability of tickets saw the biggest difference (+14%) compared to other respondents.
The host city and their own nation competing were also higher.
Some other reasons were also given, here is a sample of quotes provided:
Global politics. While I felt safe last year it wad hectic with armoured cars driving around everywhere. Not having bags for medical supplies, while understandable was a pain.
As I'm a full-time student, I don't know the schedule for that period yet.
Management of the 2024 competition, treatment of acts and fans with contempt
If I can travel to other locations to justify the long flight from Australia
Those interested/unsure but not 100% committed were more likely to:
Have been to Eurovision two or three times (42% to 29%)
Be from Europe (56% to 44%)
Those definitely going
Instead of looking at what highly influenced their decision, we'll look at what did not influence it.
Cost of accommodation - 33%
Cost of travel - 44%
Availability of tickets - 48%
The host city - 48%
Israel participating - 52%
Cost of tickets - 56%
Getting time off or other commitments - 59%
If their own nation is competing - 59%
Less passion for Eurovision - 74%
Although these respondents have decided to go, the same issues around accommodation, travel and tickets did have some influence before their decision.
The host city choice also had some influence on over half of those going, so perhaps they were a fan of the decision of Basel.
Some other reasons were also given, here is a sample of quotes provided:
I’m probably a bit different to most Aussie fans because I live about half my life in Switzerland so it’s just a big YES for me
50th Birthday. Would prefer if Israel didn’t attend
Meeting fellow Eurovision friends, and visiting places in Europe. I’m from North America
basel looks excited to host/ similar all-city enthusiasm that liverpool had (and malmo didn’t)
Those definitely going were more likely to:
Have gone to Eurovision before (85% to 64%)
Have gone to Eurovision five times or more (30% to 10%)
Be from the UK or Ireland (30% to 24%)
Not be influenced by Israel's participation (52% to 34%)
Australians
The following reasons were of a "high" influence to Australian fans.
Cost of accommodation - 40%
Cost of travel - 39%
Cost tickets - 27%
Israel participating- 27%
The host city - 23%
Getting time off or other commitments - 19%
Availability of tickets - 19%
If their own nation is competing - 9%
Less passion for Eurovision - 3%
The cost of travel (+5%) and the host city (+4%) saw the biggest increases in influence compared to all respondents.
Getting time off and the availability were also higher.
Aussies were less worried about the cost of accommodation and tickets (both -5% less).
Europeans
The following reasons were of a "high" influence to European fans.
Cost of accommodation - 50%
Cost tickets - 35%
Cost of travel - 29%
Israel participating- 28%
The host city - 16%
Less passion for Eurovision - 16%
Availability of tickets - 14%
If their own nation is competing - 12%
Getting time off or other commitments - 10%
Cost of accommodation and less passion for Eurovision saw the biggest increases in influence compared to all respondents (both +6%).
Getting time off (-7%) and cost of travel (-6%) were less of an influence.
Other comments
Respondents were given a chance to leave other comments. Here is a sample reflecting the themes raised.
Cost is the highest priority, but then accommodation and the likely need to stay outside Basel (much like staying in Copenhagen for Malmö) is an exhausting experience I’m not terribly keen to repeat.
Current plan is to go just for the semis and avoid the live show featuring Israel. That may change if there is a ceasefire and change of Israeli government.
Dare I say it but it's become a bit too popular at the moment. I found it got increasingly more difficult to get tickets for the grand final year on year so I just gave up. Which is a shame.
Eurovision is almost impossible for a family from Australia to attend.
Fans can be extremely toxic, and social media and other "media-adjacent" groups can make the experience within the fandom a horror show. Running an official fan club can be exhausting, but is often so worthwhile. every year, media pages and sites pop-up and troll/ruin the experience for everyone... It's getting worse. Let fans be fans, not fanatatics. BAN FAN MEDIA!
I am hoping for the EBU to get themselves sorted this year in regard to the participation of Israel, since that was the root of so much discord last year. In addition to just... some wild choices. Y'all know. Bracing for disappointment in that regard since it looks like they are indeed participating, but I hope some lessons have been learned and the contest is a much safer place for the rest of the participants than last year.
I am sad about feeling such resentment towards something I’ve loved for over three decades. Maybe, hopefully, someday there’s a good change so I can get my groove back.
I would rank Israel participation higher, because I would boycott the Contest if Israel was excluded.
I'm from the Netherlands, so how the whole Joost situation will be resolved and what AVROTROS decides will play a big part in my decision. I'm also worried about the costs of being in Switzerland for a whole week. So a lot is up in the air.
If I do go, it probably won't be for the shows. Only for Euroclub and other fan events.
If I'm honest, part of the reason I cheered for Croatia so hard last year is how much cheaper it would have been!!
Israel’s participation and the EBU lack of trying to deal with the harassment from the Israeli delegation and lack of care for the mental wellbeing of other participants is a major factor as to whether I go. Eurovision doesn’t fit with my values anymore
It's one of my dreams to go to Eurovision, just need to wait for the right time.
Last year felt sad in parts. The world is in a difficult place right now. Eurovision used to be a happy place, but it’s become increasingly difficult to insulate it from political issues. I hope we can get back to it being a peaceful place we can all gather together in.
Managed to guess the dates and city right! Got very cheap accommodation across the border. Without that would not be going.
This will be our first time, we are all booked with flights and lodging, waiting for tickets
This year’s Eurovision was disappointing on several levels. The DQ of Joost, the participation of Israel, the ‘rigged’ Tele voting. I truly hope that it can get back to its musical roots and harmony.
Whereas previously cost was a huge driver for attending or not, now it is the show being in disrepute
will be moving to northern Italy next year so think i’d like to go - but not if israel are there
Are you going to Eurovision 2025?
Yes, definitely!
I think so
Unsure
No
For continued updates on all the Eurovision news follow Aussievision on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Threads. All links at: https://linktr.ee/aussievisionnet
コメント