The Director of the Eurovision Song Contest has defended the number of accessible tickets which have been made available for fans with additional needs this year. 

Fans have complained on social media that no accessible ticket packages were made available for members of national OGAE groups, while others were frustrated with the process to apply directly through the ticket provider Ticketcorner. 

Martin Green says he’s been “assured” by contest organisers that as many places inside the arena as possible have been made available. 

Speaking to The Euro Trip at the Semi-Final Draw and City Handover, Green said: “I checked in with the organisers about this. 

“It is a smaller arena, there’s no doubt about that, but the balance with what they’re doing with other places around the city is good. 

“I’ve been assured they’ve got as many places as they can. 

“We’ve got nine shows and I think sometimes we focus on one show.” 

St. Jakobshalle has a maximum possible capacity of 12,400, but the capacity available for the nine Eurovision shows in May is much lower given the large stage and technical must-haves needed for a television broadcast. 

Malmö Arena which hosted Eurovision last year has a maximum possible capacity of 15,500 for concerts, but again the number of guests for each show was lower. 

Green drew reference to the number of spaces around the city Basel-Stadt has plans to host Eurovision events in. 

“In addition, we’ve got a 34,000 seat stadium next door for Arena Plus – that will have additional places as well. 

“Then you’ve got the Village which is inside which, for a lot of people, makes it more accessible than outside. 

“So again, if we look at the whole, I think the offering is great rather than picking on individual places.” 

Eurovision organisers have confirmed, however, that audio induction loop systems, audio description, and speech to text services will be available to fans who are hearing and visually impaired. 

Eurovision 2025 Tickets go on general sale to the public at 10am CET on Wednesday.