The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 began its first semi-final on Tuesday, 13 May in Basel, Switzerland. St. Jakobshalle hosted the live show featuring 15 competing countries. Viewers worldwide cast their votes through televote systems.
Switzerland, Spain, and Italy also voted in this round despite automatic qualification for the Grand Final. The ten highest-ranked acts progressed to Saturday’s final on 17 May.
Ten Countries Qualify for Grand Final
After the performances and public voting, ten entries secured places in the Grand Final. The acts, in order of announcement, are:
- Norway | Kyle Alessandro – Lighter
- Albania | Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm
- Sweden | KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu
- Iceland | VÆB – RÓA
- Netherlands | Claude – C’est La Vie
- Poland | Justyna Steczkowska – GAJA
- San Marino | Gabry Ponte – Tutta L’Italia
- Estonia | Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato
- Portugal | NAPA – Deslocado
- Ukraine | Ziferblat – Bird of Pray
Grand Final Running Order Draw
Each qualifying act participated in a post-show draw to determine their Grand Final performance placement. They chose among three options: First Half, Second Half, or Producer’s Choice. The host broadcaster SRG SSR will assign final positions to those selecting Producer’s Choice.
Grand Final draw of the First Semi-Final qualifiers
Five Acts Leave the Competition
Five countries did not advance from the semi-final. Their performances, listed by running order, were:
- Slovenia | Klemen – How Much Time Do We Have Left
- Belgium | Red Sebastian – Strobe Lights
- Azerbaijan | Mamagama – Run With U
- Croatia | Marko Bošnjak – Poison Cake
- Cyprus | Theo Evan – Shh
Despite the results, all artists received recognition for their dedication on the Eurovision stage. Fans were encouraged to follow and support the artists on social media.
Show Schedule and Voting Mechanics
The semi-final broadcast aired at 8 PM local time across participating national broadcasters and online platforms. The 15 performing nations, along with Italy, Spain, and Switzerland, contributed votes.
Public televoting exclusively decided the outcome of this semi-final. No jury votes were used. Each viewer could vote during the live broadcast only.
Grand Final Line-Up and Format
The Eurovision Grand Final will feature 26 acts on Saturday, 17 May. These include:
- The ten qualifiers from the First Semi-Final
- The ten qualifiers from the Second Semi-Final
- The Big Five (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom)
- Host country Switzerland, represented by 2024 winner Nemo
Second Semi-Final Scheduled Next
The second semi-final takes place on Thursday, 15 May at 8 PM local time. Sixteen more acts will compete for ten additional Grand Final spots.
The running order for the Second Semi-Final is:
- Go-Jo – Milkshake Man (Australia)
- Nina Žižić – Dobrodošli (Montenegro)
- EMMY – Laika Party (Ireland)
- Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi (Latvia)
- PARG – SURVIVOR (Armenia)
- JJ – Wasted Love (Austria)
- Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened? (UK)
- Klavdia – Asteromáta (Greece)
- Katarsis – Tavo Akys (Lithuania)
- Miriana Conte – SERVING (Malta)
- Mariam – Freedom (Georgia)
- Sissal – Hallucination (Denmark)
- ADONXS – Kiss Kiss Goodbye (Czechia)
- Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son (Luxembourg)
- Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise (Israel)
- Princ – Mila (Serbia)
- Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME (Finland)
France, Germany, and the UK have already secured their places in the Grand Final. Their entries will perform alongside Thursday’s qualifiers.
Controversy and Culture Collide
This year’s competition includes political sensitivities and artistic contrasts. Israel’s participant, Yuval Raphael, is a survivor of the 7 October 2023 attack. Protests have emerged regarding his inclusion in the contest.
The entries vary in tone and style. Sweden’s KAJ offers Bara Bada Bastu, an ode to saunas in epadunk style. Estonia’s Tommy Cash performs Espresso Macchiato, a satirical piece referencing Italy.
Australia’s Go-Jo delivers Milkshake Man, a risqué pop entry. Ireland’s Euro EMMY presents Laika Party, inspired by the Soviet space dog. Finland’s Erika Vikman performs ICH KOMME, a disco-themed act.
UK Hopes for Turnaround
The UK sends female trio Remember Monday with What the Hell Just Happened? Their song mixes tempo changes and theatrical tones. It follows last year’s public vote failure by Olly Alexander.
British hopes rest on reversing recent outcomes, with only Sam Ryder’s 2022 success breaking the trend. Eurovision’s evolving style continues to challenge traditional pop strategies.
Final Moments Approach
The final promises diversity, drama, and global attention. Euro Viewers await the crowning of the Eurovision 2025 champion in Basel. The final begins Saturday, 17 May at 8 PM local time.
