Czechia’s Eurovision Gamble: Will 2025 Bring Victory or Another Near Miss?
As the excitement for Eurovision 2025 builds, the Czech Republic is once again throwing its hat into the ring, opening the submission portal for hopeful artists and composers to take the stage in Basel. Yet, uncertainty looms over the nation’s selection process—will it be a public vote, an internal choice, or a mixture of both? With the deadline for song submissions set for September 30, there’s much to be decided, and even more to be anticipated.
A Nation on the Verge of Eurovision Glory
Czechia has had a turbulent history in the Eurovision Song Contest. After years of struggling to qualify, the nation began turning heads with stronger entries and improved performances. 2024, however, brought a bittersweet result: Czech-born, Brighton-based singer Aiko performed the hauntingly powerful «Pedestal» at the Malmö contest. Her journey ended in the semi-finals, with a respectable 11th place, just missing the grand final by a narrow margin.
Aiko’s participation, while not taking her to the ultimate showdown, highlighted Czechia’s growing presence on the Eurovision stage. Her win at ESCZ 2024, Czechia’s national final, was the culmination of a well-received public vote—a vote that took place in an online format, adding an element of modernity to the traditional process. Yet, despite a strong following, her semi-final finish left many Eurovision fans in Czechia asking: what’s next?
A Question of Process: National Final or Internal Selection?
The submission portal is open, but as of now, there is no clarity on how Czechia will choose its representative for Eurovision 2025. Since 2018, the national final ESCZ has been the platform through which the Czech public chooses its entry, with one exception in 2021, when an internal selection was made. Over the years, ESCZ has evolved—from entirely online voting systems to live shows with audiences—showcasing Czechia’s adaptability within the contest.
With no details yet on whether ESCZ will return in 2025 or whether an internal process will determine the next hopeful, Czech artists find themselves submitting their tracks into an arena of uncertainty. The only certainty? Česká televize retains the right to cancel the selection process altogether if the broadcaster decides not to participate—a clause that has appeared in previous years, though never acted upon. Still, this small but important disclaimer keeps everyone on edge.
The Ever-Elusive Grand Final
Czechia’s Eurovision journey is a story of near misses and growing confidence. From Mikolas Josef’s dazzling 6th placein 2018, which remains Czechia’s best result, to the heartbreak of almost qualifying in 2024, the country has proven it has the talent but lacks the consistency needed to break into Eurovision’s upper echelons.
This year, with Eurovision 2025 on the horizon, Czechia stands at a crossroads. Will it once again allow the public to guide the process, or will it take a more hands-on, internal approach? Both strategies have had their merits, but with victory still tantalisingly unreachable, the pressure is on to find the perfect formula.
Eyes on Basel
For now, Eurovision fans and hopeful contestants alike will have to wait until after September 30 to see how Czechia’s selection process will unfold. Regardless of the method, the nation remains hungry for another shot at Eurovision glory, and Basel 2025 may just be the stage where Czechia finally breaks through.
As submissions pour in and anticipation builds, one thing is clear: Czechia’s love affair with Eurovision is far from over, and the journey to Basel promises to be filled with suspense, ambition, and—hopefully—a step closer to the Eurovision crown.
Source: Česka Televize
