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Art Basel marked its 55th anniversary with a highly successful 2025 edition, reinforcing its role as a premier event in the global art market. The renowned fair concluded on June 22 with strong sales reported across all segments and a total attendance of 88,000 over preview and public days.
This year’s edition featured 289 leading galleries from 42 countries and territories, transforming Basel into a hub of artistic innovation and global connection. “This year’s edition of Art Basel has demonstrated the enduring strength, resilience, and international reach of the global art market,” said Maike Cruse, Director of Art Basel in Basel.
UBS, the fair’s Global Lead Partner, returned with a dynamic presence including Endless Possibilities: Geometric Abstraction in the UBS Lounge and public programming throughout the week. “Art Basel ignites the global art world as a vital meeting point,” said Christl Novakovic, Chair of the UBS Art Board.
Collectors and patrons from over 96 countries attended, including notable presences from Switzerland, the U.S., China, Nigeria, and Uzbekistan. Over 250 representatives from prestigious museums and foundations visited, underscoring Art Basel’s role in connecting the international art community.
Sales highlights included major works by David Hockney, Ruth Asawa, Gerhard Richter, and Keith Haring. Leading female artists also garnered strong institutional interest, with successful showings by Cecilia Vicuña, Loie Hollowell, and Alina Szapocznikow.
A centerpiece of the fair was Katharina Grosse’s CHOIR (2025), a monumental site-specific installation spanning over 5,000 square meters at Messeplatz. Meanwhile, Unlimited—the fair’s sector for large-scale works—returned with 70 pieces curated by Giovanni Carmine, featuring performances and installations by Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Marinella Senatore, and Thomas Schütte.
The Parcours sector, curated by Stefanie Hessler, offered immersive public art experiences along Clarastrasse under the theme Second Nature. Notable installations included Selma Selman’s scent-and-sound piece and Hylozoic/Desires’ expansive textile work at Münsterplatz.
2025 also saw the inaugural Art Basel Awards, honoring 36 Medalists at a ceremony in Rathaus Basel. The awards included the announcement of the Koyo Kouoh Fellowship, a new initiative to support African art professionals. A public summit followed, featuring discussions among cultural leaders and artists.
Complementary exhibitions across Basel added to the rich cultural landscape, with standout presentations at Fondation Beyeler, Kunstmuseum Basel, and Kunsthalle Basel. Additional programs included Liste Art Fair’s 30th anniversary and the Swiss Art Awards.
The Art Basel Shop introduced exclusive artist collaborations, including a capsule collection by Grosse, collectibles by Kasing Lung and Sasha Stiles, and limited-edition apparel. On-site events allowed fans to meet artists for signings and celebrations.
Art Basel 2025 was held at Messe Basel from June 19–22, with preview days on June 17 and 18. The next edition will return from June 18–21, 2026.