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The first Eurovision 2025 semi-final is taking place tonight (Tuesday 13 May) in Basel, Switzerland, where some of this year’s most popular contestants will compete for a place in the Grand Final.
Sweden’s entry KAJ, a Finnish comedy-music trio, will compete with their song “Bara Bada Bastu”, along with Estonia’s Tommy Cash and his quirky song “Espresso Macchiato”.
Other countries competing in tonight’s semi-final include Norway, Belgium, Slovenia, Iceland, San Marino, Croatia and the Netherlands.
Switzerland is guaranteed a spot in the Grand Final as last year’s winner, as are Italy and Spain, both among the “Big Five” countries.
The event takes place after rehearsal footage of the competition was leaked online, following a potential “hack” of an online feed.
The second semi-final takes place on Thursday 15 May and will feature performances from the UK’s entry Remember Monday, along with delegates from Austria, France, Israel and Australia.
Both semi-finals are being broadcast on BBC One from 8pm, with presenters Rylan and Scott Mills providing commentary.
Israel‘s Eurovision contestant Yuval Raphael says she had been frightened by pro-Palestinian protests and security concerns surrounding Israel’s participation in the competition.
However, the artist said she was “focusing on the love” shown by global fans as the competition kicks off in Switzerland.
“I’ve been mentally preparing for this,” Raphael told Reuters in an interview on Monday.
Roisin O’Connor13 May 2025 16:21
Roisin O’Connor13 May 2025 16:20
But contrary to that belief – the UK has won the Eurovision Song Contest a total of five times, having first entered the competition in 1957, which places it just behind Sweden and Ireland, who jointly have the most Eurovision wins with seven each (Sweden could break the record if it wins for the eighth time this year, as it is strongly expected to do).
Entrants from the UK have also placed second in the final 16 times, a record in the contest.
Here, we look back at the UK’s winning moments:
Roisin O’Connor13 May 2025 16:00
Though it began as a song-writing contest in 1956, having a strong and unique performance is just as important on today’s Eurovision stage. Balancing impressive vocals, skilful songwriting and visually interesting staging, this list ranks the Eurovision winners that found the sweet spot.
Roisin O’Connor13 May 2025 15:40
The Eurovision Song Contest has brought in lawyers, following rehearsal footage of the competition being leaked online, after a “potential hack” of an online feed.
When asked about rehearsal leaks at a press briefing on Tuesday, the European Broadcasting Union’s Eurovision director Martin Green said: “We have to send signal out to the juries during those shows and amongst our different members, technology differs in how modern it is.
“And therefore, sadly, if you have the intent to do it, you can potentially hack into that … is what I understand. It’s sad that people do that.
“It also shows you what a demand there is out there for it. Every year we manage to tighten up a bit more, and we will continue to do it.”
Roisin O’Connor13 May 2025 15:31
It’s officially Eurovision week, and ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday 17 May, fans have the chance to see all 37 countries performing in the semi-finals.
The top 10 countries from each will make it through to the final, including the Big Five – the UK, Spain, Germany, France and Italy – who automatically qualify. Host country Switzerland is also guaranteed a spot in the final thanks to singer Nemo’s triumph at the 2024 contest.
The first semi-final is taking place on Tuesday 13 May and will be broadcast on BBC One, iPlayer, Radio Two and BBC Sounds from 8pm. The Independent will be live-blogging so you can follow along with additional commentary, insights and news.
Roisin O’Connor13 May 2025 15:12