May 11th 2024.
Get ready Eurovision fans, the highly anticipated 2024 competition is just around the corner! This year, the final will be taking place in the beautiful city of Malmö, Sweden, after last year's winner Loreen wowed audiences with her hit song "Tattoo" in Liverpool.
The excitement is already building as more than 100,000 fans are expected to attend the live event, while an estimated 160 million people will be tuning in from the comfort of their homes. This year, the UK's very own Olly Alexander will be flying the flag, and he recently revealed his nerves leading up to his performances.
But before we get to the grand finale, there will be 36 other acts taking the stage in the semi-finals and jury shows throughout the week. It's been quite a dramatic journey so far, with controversies surrounding Israel's participation and even an incident involving the Dutch act Joost.
To get you fully prepared for the big event, here's everything you need to know and all the details you don't want to miss. And don't forget to join the Eurovision community on WhatsApp, where you can stay updated with all the behind-the-scenes gossip, memes, and iconic moments from the live shows. You can even vote for your favorite acts in our polls!
Now, let's get to the important stuff. The grand final will be held on Saturday, May 11 at 8pm, following the semi-finals on Tuesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 9. Olly Alexander looked ready for business at the dress rehearsal and we can't wait to see him shine on the big stage.
A total of 37 countries will be competing this year, with six automatically qualifying for the final. These include last year's winners Sweden, along with the "Big 5" countries - France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. The remaining countries will battle it out in the semi-finals, with the top 10 from each qualifying for the grand finale. It's worth noting that Luxembourg will be making a comeback to the contest after 31 years, while Romania has decided not to participate.
Now, onto the location. Malmö won the bid against Stockholm and Gothenburg to host this year's contest. This will be the seventh time Sweden has hosted Eurovision, with the previous being in 1975, 1985, 1992, 2000, 2013, and 2016. The main venue for the event is the impressive 15,500-seat Malmö Arena.
We also have some exciting news about this year's presenters. Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman will be hosting all three live shows, with Petra having previously taken on the role in 2013 and 2016. Petra is a talented Swedish comedian, dancer, actress, and television presenter known for her own show, the Petra Mede Show. Joining her will be Malin, a Swedish-born actress with an impressive career in Hollywood.
As for the UK's entry this year, we have the incredibly talented Olly Alexander representing us. You may know him as the frontman of the band Years & Years, but he's now striking out on his own with his first solo venture at Eurovision. He co-wrote his entry "Dizzy" with Danny L Harle, who also worked on Dua Lipa's hit song "Houdini." The emotional song is about the intense feelings of falling for someone and how they can turn your world upside down. Olly has also made a name for himself on screen, starring in Russell T Davies' powerful drama "It's A Sin."
For those wondering where to catch all the action, the live shows will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The semi-finals took place on May 7 and 9, with the grand final airing on Saturday, May 11. You can also listen to the commentary on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, hosted by Richie Anderson.
Last but not least, let's talk odds. As of now, Switzerland is the favorite to win this year's Eurovision Song Contest, followed by Croatia, the Netherlands, Italy, Ukraine, Israel, France, Greece, and Ireland. And let's not forget the UK, rounding out the top 10!
So, mark your calendars and get ready to embrace the buzz of the biggest song contest in the world. It's going to be an unforgettable event!
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