WordCamp Europe 2025: What to Expect in Basel

7 mins
A promotional banner for WordCamp Europe 2025 with bold black text reading “WordCamp Europe 2025” and the event dates: 5–7 June 2025, Basel, Switzerland. The design features a playful layout of pastel blocks in pink, blue, yellow, red, and teal.

The countdown is on for WordCamp Europe 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. Set in one of Europe’s most connected and creative cities, this year’s edition brings new voices, big questions, and an expanded focus on community and collaboration. WCEU 2025 is not just another stop on the WordCamp circuit — it’s a glimpse into where the WordPress ecosystem is heading next.

A Global Gathering in the Heart of Europe

More than a postcard-perfect Swiss destination, Basel is a cross-border hub that connects Switzerland, France, and Germany — literally and culturally. With easy train access from Paris and Frankfurt, and a unique tri-national airport, it’s perfectly positioned to welcome the global WordPress community.

There’s also something poetic about hosting an open-source conference in a city known for breaking borders. Basel’s identity is shaped by diversity, and that same ethos permeates the WordPress ecosystem. What better place to meet, build, and share?

While it’s home to world-class museums and centuries-old architecture, Basel is also a city that embraces experimentation — from floating down the Rhine with waterproof swim bags to avant-garde architecture that coexists with cobblestone charm. That blend of tradition and innovation mirrors what WordCamp Europe stands for.

Dates, Venue, and Format

Mark the calendar: June 5–7, 2025. Three full days, kicking off with Contributor Day and rolling into two days of talks, panels, and workshops. It all takes place at the Congress Center Basel, a modern conference centre with excellent accessibility, smart design, and a location right in the city centre. Everything from wide-open spaces for sponsor booths and lounges to quiet rooms for decompressing has been factored in. The centre is powered by 100% renewable energy, adding a layer of sustainability to the event’s already inclusive ethos.

Programming Highlights and What’s New in 2025

Speaker Lineup: A Truly Global Perspective

This year, the schedule spans 50+ speakers from 23 countries, all curated to reflect not just technical depth but cultural breadth. Talks will tackle everything from modern front-end architecture to multilingual accessibility under European regulations. Expect fresh voices, familiar faces, and topics that speak to both the enterprise developer and the indie creator.

The Fireside Chat That Has Everyone Talking

One of the biggest draws this year is a fireside chat with WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg and new Executive Director Mary Hubbard. They’ll explore the future of WordPress governance, the trajectory of the open web, and where innovation meets responsibility. It’s a conversation that’s expected to shape strategic thinking for months to come.

Talks, Workshops, and Community Spaces

Beyond the scheduled sessions, this year’s WordCamp format heavily emphasizes workshops and open collaboration spaces. Hands-on learning, peer-to-peer sharing, and unstructured breakout zones will make space for deeper exploration of the platform and its possibilities.

Contributor Day: Where the Magic Starts

Contributor Day is more than just an icebreaker. It’s an entry point into the inner workings of WordPress itself. Whether writing code, translating strings, improving docs, or brainstorming for community teams, this day reveals the human machinery that powers the CMS used by over 40% of the web. Each team — from Accessibility to Meta to Themes — has structured activities for newcomers and veterans alike. The focus is to foster real contributions that have an immediate impact. It’s an environment that rewards curiosity and connection over credentials.

What Enterprise Teams Shouldn’t Miss at WCEU 2025

WordCamp Europe’s 2025 schedule is packed with technical deep dives, community insights, and practical sessions, but several stand out for enterprise teams building at scale, managing global platforms, or driving digital transformation. Here’s a curated selection of sessions tailored to enterprise priorities:

Architecture, Performance, and Platform Strategy

“Banking on WordPress: Inside a FTSE 50 Bank’s Global Platform”
June 6, 15:45–16:15 | Track 1
A rare behind-the-scenes look at how a multinational bank replatformed from a proprietary CMS to WordPress to meet global security, compliance, and scalability needs.

“From Reactive to Proactive: Modern Observability for WordPress at Scale”
June 7, 10:30–11:00 | Track 2
A practical guide to using open-source observability tools in WordPress to catch issues early, prevent regressions, and shift from reactive fixes to proactive maintenance.

“Core Web Vitals Mystery Demystified”
June 6, 14:15–14:45 | Track 2
This talk provides a step-by-step breakdown of a proven method to diagnose and fix WordPress performance issues, demystifying Core Web Vitals optimization for developers at any level.

Governance, Security, and Compliance

“Cyber Resilience Act and WordPress – What to Expect?”
June 7, 13:15–13:45 | Track 2
An in-depth look at how the Cyber Resilience Act impacts the WordPress ecosystem and what plugin and theme authors need to do to ensure compliance.

“Your Backups Are at Risk and So Are You”
June 7, 10:30–11:00 | Track 1
A sobering take on backup strategies that goes beyond the basics — critical for enterprise-grade business continuity.

Modern Development and AI Integration

“Modernizing WordPress with New Web Platform Features”
June 6, 11:45–12:15 | Track 2
An exploration of how modern web APIs and platform features can be used to boost performance, enhance UX, and future-proof WordPress development.

“Automating WordPress Setup with Modern AI Tools”
June 6, 16:05–16:15 | Track 3
Short but insightful, this talk explores how WP-CLI, scripting, and AI tools can automate WordPress setup, reducing repetitive tasks and enabling faster, consistent project configuration.

“Client-side Web AI Agents for Building Smarter User Experiences”
June 7, 13:15–13:45 | Track 1
An introduction to using client-side generative AI in JavaScript to power web agents that automate tasks and enhance site functionality without relying on the cloud.

Business Strategy and Global Operations

“Connecting Cultures at SWI Swissinfo.ch: The Journey to International Audience Engagement”
June 6, 14:15–14:45 | Track 1
A case study on how SWI Swissinfo.ch migrated to WordPress VIP to improve multilingual delivery, editorial workflows, and global audience engagement at scale.

“Speak Your Users’ Language: What to Look Out for When Going Global”
June 7, 09:00–09:30 | Track 2
A lively exploration of common pitfalls in adapting digital experiences for international audiences, blending cultural insights with practical lessons for global-ready websites and apps.

“WaaS for Agencies: Opportunities, Challenges & Pricing Impact”
June 7, 11:15–11:45 | Track 1
An inside look at building Website-as-a-Service models that scale, showing how standardization and automation can cut costs, boost revenue, and simplify operations for agencies and enterprises.

Check the full schedule for all sessions, tracks, and workshops.

Meet the Wapuu: Basel’s Carnival Spirit in Mascot Form

Designed by Ioanna Aravani and Sophie Porte of the WCEU Design Team, the official WordCamp Europe 2025 Wapuu pays tribute to Basel’s iconic Fasnacht carnival — one of Switzerland’s most beloved cultural traditions. Clad in a Waggis costume, a playful nod to the colourful characters of Fasnacht, this Wapuu brings the festive energy of Basel’s streets into the heart of the WordPress community. It even carries a Basel-style drum decorated with black-and-white stripes, echoing the visual rhythm of the city’s carnival parades.

Families Welcome: Childcare and Support for Junior WordCampers

WordCamp Europe 2025 is ready to welcome every member of the community, even the youngest. This year’s event includes dedicated childcare services so that parents can focus on the sessions, networking, and workshops, knowing their little ones are in good hands. Children aged 3 to 10 will be welcomed by a team of experienced childcare professionals throughout the main event. Care will be provided from the beginning of Contributor Day through the end of Day Two, covering the full conference schedule (with the exception of the After Party and pre-event hours).

For those with younger children, a nursing room and quiet space will also be available, complete with changing tables and a peaceful environment for naps, feeding, or downtime.

And in case you’re wondering, no ticket is required for children to attend unless you’d like them to have their own badge, lunch, and conference swag.

Basel Sets the Stage for the Future of WordPress

In many ways, Basel is a perfect metaphor for the WordPress project in 2025 — rooted in history, globally connected, and quietly radical in its approach to inclusion and creativity.

The conversations sparked here will shape product decisions, community strategies, and partnerships well into 2026 and beyond.

We’ll be sharing real-time insights and key moments from across the event. Follow Trew Knowledge for live coverage and takeaways from the sessions shaping the future of WordPress.