Eurovision 2024 will see the world's biggest singing contest returning for another incredible evening of entertainment this week, with the first semi-final taking place tonight (Tuesday, May 7).
Last year, the UK hosted the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, (on behalf of the 2022 winners from Ukraine), and we're now gearing up to watch another Grand Final full of amazing talent from around the world in just a few days.
Incredibly, this will be the competition's 68th installment, and the theme "United By Music" has been retained for the second time. There's also been a big change to how the public vote will work during the Grand Final; if you're planning on tuning in, here's our article explaining how to watch the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.
Here's everything you need to know about the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.
When is Eurovision 2024? All the important Eurovision Song Contest dates
The Eurovision 2024 Grand Final is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
The First Semi-Final will air on Tuesday, May 7, while the second will air on Thursday, May 9.
As per usual, the competition will be broadcast on the BBC in the UK. The Grand Final gets underway at 8 pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with coverage of both semi-finals also beginning at 8 pm in the same places on their respective days.
Who is the UK Eurovision 2024 entry?
We learned that It's A Sin actor and popstar Olly Alexander would be representing the UK at Eurovision Song Contest 2024 when he revealed the news during the Grand Final of Strictly Come Dancing 2023.
After performing with Mikey Goldsworthy and Emre Türkmen in the pop band Years & Years (before keeping the name for the third album, which was Alexander's solo project), Olly has begun releasing his music under his own name; his Eurovision single is called "Dizzy".
"I’ve loved watching Eurovision ever since I was a little kid and I'm beyond excited to be taking part next year", he said. "As a young boy I always looked forward to this incredible event of unbridled joy, the wonderfully chaotic mix of musical styles, theatrical performances, heartfelt emotion and humour. I really can’t believe I’m going to be a part of such a special legacy and fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible, it shall be an honour! I’ve wanted to do this for a long time and it feels like the right moment to start releasing music under my own name. I’m determined to give it everything I’ve got and put on an excellent and unforgettable performance for you all!”
You can watch the official music video for "Dizzy" below:
Who's participating in Eurovision 2024?
A total of 37 nations are participating in the competition this time around. Here's a full list of who every country participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, along with the artists representing them and links to their chosen songs.
We'll highlight which countries will be heading to the Grand Final after the Semi-Finals have taken place.
- Albania: BESA, "TITAN"
- Armenia: LADANIVA, "Jako"
- Australia: Electric Fields, "One Milkali (One Blood)"
- Austria: Kaleen, "We Will Rave"
- Azerbaijan: FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov, "Özünlə Apar"
- Belgium: Mustii, "Before the Party's Over"
- Croatia: Baby Lasagna, "Rim Tim Tagi Dim"
- Cyprus: Silia Kapsis, "Liar"
- Czechia: Aiko, "Pedestal"
- Denmark: SABA, "SAND"
- Estonia: 5MIINUST x Puuluup, "(nendest) narkootikumidest ei te me (küll) midagi"
- Finland: Windows95man, "No Rules!"
- France: Slimane, "Mon amour"
- Georgia: Nutsa Buzaladze, "Firefighter"
- Germany: ISAAK, "Always On The Run"
- Greece: Marina Satti, "ZARI"
- Iceland: Hera Björk, "Scared of Heights"
- Ireland: Bambie Thug, "Doomsday Blue"
- Israel: Eden Golan, "Hurricane"
- Italy: Angelina Mango, "La noia"
- Latvia: Dons, "Hollow"
- Lithuania: Silvester Belt, "Luktelk"
- Luxembourg: TALI, "Fighter"
- Malta: Sarah Bonnici, "Loop"
- Moldova: Natalia Barbu, "In The Middle"
- Netherlands: Joost Klein, "Europapa"
- Norway: Gåte, "Ulveham"
- Poland: LUNA, "The Tower"
- Portugal: iolanda, "Grito"
- San Marino: MEGARA, "11:11"
- Serbia: TEYA DORA, "RAMONDA"
- Slovenia: Raiven, "Veronika"
- Spain: Nebulossa, "ZORRA"
- Sweden: Marcus & Martinus, "Unforgettable"
- Switzerland: Nemo, "The Code"
- Ukraine: alyona alyona & Jerry Heil, "Teresa & Maria"
- United Kingdom: Olly Alexander, "Dizzy"
Who is the UK spokesperson for Eurovision 2024?
On Friday, May 3's edition of The One Show, Eurovision fave Graham Norton confirmed that Dame Joanna Lumley would be joining the Eurovision family and delivering the results of the UK's National Jury vote during the live Grand Final.
Of her new role, Joanna says: “Good Evening Malmö, it's Joanna here! I am delighted to be announcing the jury vote for the UK at this year's Eurovision. It's such a fabulous honour to give the iconic 'douze points'!"
Where is the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest being held?
The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in Malmö, Sweden, which will be the third time the city has hosted the competition (it was also the host city in 1992 and 2013).
In preparation for the big event, we've been treated to a classic Eurovision fly-through of some of the many sights from the city, as seen below:
Who is hosting Eurovision 2024 for the UK?
As ever, the BBC has assembled a crack team of hosts for the latest installment of the competition.
The Semi-Finals will both be hosted by Scott Mills and Rylan live on BBC One and iPlayer, with Richie Anderson taking the reins for the very first time for BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
And for the Grand Final, we'll once again be guided through the evening by Graham Norton on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with Scott and Rylan leading commentary over the airwaves on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
Who won Eurovision 2023?
Singer and Eurovision veteran Loreen claimed victory for Sweden at Eurovision 2023 with the song "Tattoo", winning a combined total of 583 points overall.
Finnish artist Käärijä came in second place, earning a total of 526 points with his song, "Cha Cha Cha".
Amazingly, this was Loreen's second Eurovision win; she won Eurovision 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan with her song "Euphoria". To date, Loreen is the second artist (and the only woman) to win the competition twice; Irish singer Johnny Logan was the first.
Eurovision Song Contest 2024 Voting Changes
As we mentioned, there's been a big change to how voting will work during the Grand Final this year.
For the first time since 2011, the voting window for the public vote will open just before the first song is performed. This means anyone who's watching along will be able to cast their votes as they watch along, rather than having to wait until the final song's been performed, which is how voting has worked (barring 2010 and 2011) since the public vote was introduced to Eurovision in 1997.
