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After finding Nemo from Switzerland to be the best competitor last year, juries and viewers around the world are preparing to crown a new champion in Europe’s annual fever dream of a singing competition. That’s right — it’s Eurovision Song Contest week. This year, the musical battle began with the first semi-final round in Basel, Switzerland on May 13. A second semi-final on May 15 will lead to 26 countries facing off in the grand final on May 17. Who has qualified for the final so far, and whose participation has been protested? Here, everything you need to know about Eurovision 2025, including how and when you can tune in for live performances of these tunes (yes, even if you’re in America).
Wait, what is Eurovision?
The European Broadcasting Union’s annual singing competition pits countries in Europe (and a couple other continents) against each other, each participating via their own national broadcaster. All countries enter with an original song, which is sometimes chosen internally and sometimes chosen after winning a national competition. In two semi-final rounds and a grand final, singers perform their country’s song live, competing for points from country juries and votes from viewers around the world. Historically, the performances can get pretty unhinged.
The winner doesn’t get any money … but they do earn their country the right to host the next Eurovision. Plus, they have a shot at achieving fame; notable past winners include ABBA, Celine Dion, and Måneskin.
Who’s competing in the grand final?
Barring any disqualifications like last year, 26 countries will battle it out on Saturday. The “Big Five” — France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K. — pay big bucks to Eurovision, and always automatically qualify as a result of their financial contributions. As this year’s host, Switzerland also doesn’t have to worry about securing a spot. After the first semi-final on May 13 selected 10 countries to progress, we now have 16 confirmed qualifiers headed to the grand final so far:
- France – “Maman” by Louane
- Germany – “Baller” by Abor & Tynna
- Italy – “Volevo Essere Un Duro” by Lucio Corsi
- Spain – “Esa diva” by Melody
- U.K. – “What The Hell Just Happened?” by Remember Monday
- Switzerland – “Voyage” by Zoë Më
- Norway: “Lighter” by Kyle Alessandro
- Albania: “Zjerm” by Shkodra Elektronike
- Sweden: “Bara Bada Bastu” by KAJ
- Iceland: “RÓA” by VÆB
- Netherlands: “C’est La Vie” by Claude
- Poland: “GAJA” by Justyna Steczkowska
- San Marino: “Tutta L’Italia” by Gabry Ponte
- Estonia: “Espresso Macchiato” by Tommy Cash
- Portugal: “Deslocado” by NAPA
- Ukraine: “Bird of Pray” by Ziferblat
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The final 10 competitors will be chosen from the countries competing in the second semi-final — Australia, Montenegro, Ireland, Latvia, Armenia, Austria, Greece, Lithuania, Malta, Georgia, Denmark, Czechia, Luxembourg, Serbia, Finland, and (controversially) Israel — on May 15.
There’s controversy again?
Yup. Just like last year, there have been protests over the EBU’s decision to allow Israel to participate amid the ongoing war in Gaza. (Such a move wouldn’t be unprecedented; Russia was previously disqualified from Eurovision in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine.) Amid backlash in 2024, Palestinian flags and symbols were banned from Eurovision. According to CNN, the EBU has overturned this policy for this year’s audience members — though artists will now only be allowed to wave their country’s official flag. (This means performers are also prohibited from displaying rainbow Pride flags.)
How and when can I watch?
Well, first, where are you? The semi-finals on May 13 and May 15 both have the same start time as the May 17 grand final: 3 p.m. ET. If you’re in a competing country, your national broadcaster will be airing Eurovision on TV — and honestly, you can probably just walk into a local bar or club and find it playing on a screen. In many countries, you can also tune in on Eurovision’s YouTube channel.
In the U.S., though, Peacock has exclusive streaming rights, meaning that you can catch Eurovision live for the cost of a subscription (plans start at $7.99/month). Americans can sound off on what sounds best by voting on Eurovision’s website as part of the “Rest of the World” … because despite the fact that Estonia’s representative wishes JoJo Siwa was there, Eurovision isn’t part of the American vision just yet.
