Are you ready for Eurovision?
For the first time since 1998, the UK is host to the Eurovision and this the 67th year of the competition is proving to be one of the most exciting in a decade! Last year’s winners, the Ukraine were unable to host due to the ongoing war, so we are hosting it on their behalf.
How the eurovision song contest works
37 countries compete in semi-finals in their home countries and those who successfully make it through along with the UK, France, Spain, Germany, and Italy (who are the Big Five) and the Ukraine who also automatically qualify as the returning champions, will perform in the Grand Final.
The Grand Final will be broadcast live on Saturday 13th May at 8pm on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. But if you fancied something bigger, it will also be screened live in cinemas across the nation for those who are Eurovision fans and want to make the night into a huge party!
Hosts with the most
Presenting the show will be Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham, Ukrainian singer-songwriter and frontwoman of the HARDKISS, Julia Sanina, and of course, no Eurovision would be complete without the wonderful Graham Norton leading the way. Commentary will also be given from Mel Giedroyc, Scott Mills and Rylan across the BBC platforms.
Live performances
But the big night isn’t just about the competitors, there will also be performances from last year’s winners the Kalush Orchestra, and several other Eurovision icons including England’s very own Sam Ryder and 30 years after her own Eurovision experience, Sonia!
new to eurovision?
For those of you who haven’t caught the Eurovision fever before, audiences in each of the countries cast their votes, once this is done, each national spokesperson from the 37 countries will present the points of their professional jury live to the world.
After the juries, the televoting points from the participating countries and for the first time in Eurovision history, the rest of the world, will be combined to give one score for each song. It is without doubt one of the most nail biting, exciting, live competitions on the planet and we can’t wait!