Germany Kicks Off Chefsache ESC 2025 Tonight!

With high hopes and big ambitions, Germany officially begins its journey to Eurovision 2025 tonight with the start of Chefsache ESC 2025! ✨

After years of experimentation, German public broadcaster RTL has opted once again for a national selection process—but this time, with a fresh twist. Under the creative guidance of the legendary Stefan Raab, the selection features two qualifying rounds, a semifinal, and a grand final on March 1st. The winner will represent Germany in Basel this May at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest.

Let’s dive into the details of this exciting new format!

Chefsache ESC 2025: The New Format Explained

The selection process will unfold in four stages:

• ️ 1st Qualifier: February 14
• ️ 2nd Qualifier: February 15
• Semifinal: February 22
• Grand Final: March 1

From each qualifier, seven acts will advance to the semifinal. The nine finalists who make it to the Grand Final will battle for the golden ticket to Eurovision.

Who decides the winner?

• Qualifiers & Semifinal: Decided entirely by a professional jury.
• Grand Final: 100% public vote will determine who gets to fly the German flag in Basel!

Meet the Jury

The Chefsache ESC 2025 jury boasts familiar names from Germany’s Eurovision past:

• Stefan Raab: The mastermind behind Germany’s last Eurovision victory with Lena and Satellite in 2010. A Eurovision icon with hits like Wadde hadde dudde da? (2000) and Guildo hat euch lieb! (1998).
• Yvonne Catterfeld: Singer and former judge on Unser Star für Oslo, the selection show that sent Lena to Eurovision glory.
• Elton: TV presenter and Germany’s Eurovision spokesperson in 2023.

Additional guest jurors will join the panel in each round:

• Max Mutzke (Eurovision 2004) for the first qualifier
• Johannes Oerding (popular singer-songwriter) for the second qualifier

Tonight’s Line-Up: 1st Qualifier (February 14)

Twelve artists take the stage tonight, performing original songs or covers. Only seven will move on to the semifinal. Here are the contenders:

1. Abor & Tynna
2. Benjamin Braatz
3. Cage
4. Chase
5. COSBY
6. Enny-Mae x Paradigm
7. Equa Tu
8. FANNIE
9. Feuerschwanz
10. Janine
11. Jonathan Henrich
12. JULIKA

The show will be hosted by the beloved Barbara Schöneberger, a familiar face to Eurovision fans.

How to Watch

The first qualifier airs tonight at 20:15 CET on RTL and is expected to last around 2.5 hours.

Germany hopes to improve on its 13th-place finish in Liverpool 2024, where Isaak performed Always on the Run. Can Stefan Raab work his magic once again and bring Germany back to Eurovision’s top ranks?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVOHTxFOhak

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates on Germany’s Eurovision 2025 adventure!