section_path: Production and format/Semi-final allocation draw
section_name: Semi-final allocation draw
paragraph_text: Semi-final allocation draw
  
  The draw to determine the participating countries' semi-finals took place on 28 January 2025 at 12:30 CET, at the auditorium of the Kunstmuseum Basel. The thirty-one semi-finalists were divided over five pots, based on historical voting patterns, with the purpose of reducing the chance of bloc voting and increasing suspense in the semi-finals. The draw also determined which semi-final each of the six automatic qualifiers – host country Switzerland and "Big Five" countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) – would vote in, be required to broadcast, and perform its entry in a non-competitive capacity. The ceremony was hosted by Jennifer Bosshard and Jan van Ditzhuijzen, and included the symbolic transfer of duties from Carina Nilsson, the president of previous host city Malmö 's council, to Conradin Cramer, the president of the Basel-Stadt government. The host city insignia, which had traditionally been used since 2007, was replaced by a dress gifted by Nilsson to Cramer, the first "friendship gift" that would replace the host city insignia from this year.