Glitter at the ready! The whackiest, campest extravaganza in the European calendar is returning to our TV screens this week. Yep, the Eurovision Song Contest is back for another year.
Last year, it was Switzerland that emerged victorious. That means that Eurovision 2025 is happening in the city of Basel (fun fact: the last time the competition was held here, it was after Celine Dion had won for Switzerland in 1988).
As one of the ‘Big Five’ (alongside Spain, France, Germany and Italy), the UK has a guaranteed place in the grand final, so it won’t be included in the semi-final voting. But the shows leading up to the main event are still worth the watch, not least to get you amped up for the weekend and to see the acts that don’t quite make it.
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re planning to watch the Eurovision semi-finals this week.
When are the Eurovision 2025 semi-finals?
The first of the two Eurovision semi-finals is happening on Tuesday, May 13. The second is on Thursday, May 15.
What TV channels are the semi-finals on?
You’ll be able to catch all the glittering camp action on BBC One.
What are the timings?
Coverage for each semi-final will start from 8pm.
Can I stream the Eurovision semi-finals?
The shows will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer or on the Eurovision YouTube channel.
Running order: full list of countries and acts
First semi-finals
- Iceland: VÆB – RÓA
- Poland: Justyna Steczkowska – GAJA
- Slovenia: Klemen – How Much Time Do We Have Left
- Spain: Melody – ESA DIVA
- Estonia: Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato
- Ukraine: Ziferblat – Bird of Pray
- Sweden: KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu
- Portugal: NAPA – Deslocado
- Norway: Kyle Alessandro – Lighter
- Belgium: Red Sebastian – Strobe Lights
- Azerbaijan: Mamagama - Run With U
- San Marino: Gabry Ponte – Tutta L’Italia
- Albania: Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm
- Netherlands: Claude – C’est La Vie
- Croatia: Marko Bošnjak – Poison Cake
- Switzerland: Zoë Më – Voyage
- Cyprus: Theo Evan – Shh
Second semi-finals
- Australia: Go-Jo – Milkshake Man
- Montenegro: Nina Žižić – Dobrodošli
- Ireland: EMMY – Laika Party
- Latvia: Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi
- Armenia: PARG – SURVIVOR
- Austria: JJ – Wasted Love
- United Kingdom: Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened?
- Greece: Klavdia – Asteromáta
- Lithuania: Katarsis – Tavo Akys
- Malta: Miriana Conte – SERVING
- France: Louane – maman
- Georgia: Mariam Shengelia – Freedom
- Denmark: Sissal – Hallucination
- Czechia: ADONXS – Kiss Kiss Goodbye
- Luxembourg: Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son
- Israel: Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise
- Germany: Abor & Tynna – Baller
- Serbia: Princ – Mila
- Finland: Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME
Odds
This year’s favourite to win is Sweden, with its entry ‘Bara Bada Bastu’ by KAJ. Bookies also reckon that Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands are in with a good chance of victory. As for the UK, we’re currently 14th favourite.
When is the Eurovision Grand Final?
The 20 countries that make it through the semi-finals will compete for first prize in the Eurovision Grand Final on Saturday, May 17.
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