The Eurovision Song Contest is a dazzling celebration of music, diversity, and international unity. Since its beginnings in the 1950s, it has evolved into one of the world’s most iconic televised events, captivating millions of viewers each year with its unique blend of creativity, competition, and spectacle.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or discovering Eurovision for the first time, there’s so much to uncover about this legendary show. Here are 10 interesting facts that highlight just how special—and surprising—Eurovision really is.
10. Eurovision Started as a Post-War Initiative for Unity
The Eurovision Song Contest wasn’t just created for entertainment — it had a powerful purpose at its core: to promote unity and cooperation in post-war Europe. Launched in 1956 by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the contest aimed to use music and live television to bring together countries still recovering from the devastation of World War II.
At the time, the idea of multiple nations broadcasting a live event simultaneously was revolutionary. Eurovision became a symbol of peace, progress, and shared culture, encouraging nations to focus on creativity, expression, and connection — rather than conflict.
The very first contest was held on May 24, 1956, in Lugano, Switzerland. Only seven countries participated: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and the host country, Switzerland.
Each country submitted two songs, making a total of 14 entries. The winner of this inaugural contest was Lys Assia representing Switzerland with the song “Refrain.”
🎵Although no known video footage of the official Grand Final performance exists, you can listen to the original radio broadcast recording on YouTube here.
9. Language Rules Changed Over Time
1956 – 1965: No Language Rule: In the early years of the contest, there were no restrictions on the language in which songs could be performed. Most countries sang in their native languages, but in 1965, Sweden’s Ingvar Wixell sang in English for “Absent Friend,” marking the first time a song was performed in a language other than the country’s official one.
1966 – 1972: National Language Rule Introduced: Following Sweden’s English-language entry, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) introduced a rule requiring each participating country to sing in one of its official national languages.
1973 – 1976: Language Freedom Returns: This rule was short-lived and was abolished again in 1973, allowing artists to perform in any language they chose. During this period, several winning songs were performed in English, including ABBA’s “Waterloo” in 1974.
1977 – 1998: Reinstatement of the National Language Rule: In 1977, the national language rule was reintroduced. However, Germany and Belgium were granted special permission to sing in English that year as their national selections had already taken place. This rule remained in effect for 22 years. Notably, countries like Ireland and the United Kingdom, where English is an official language, achieved significant success during this time, leading some to believe that singing in English provided an advantage.
1999 – Present: Free Choice of Language: The language restriction was finally lifted in 1999 and has remained so ever since. This change led to a significant increase in the number of songs performed in English, as artists aimed for broader international appeal. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable trend of more countries choosing to sing in their native languages again, sometimes even with parts of the song in English or other languages.
This detailed history underscores how the seemingly simple aspect of language has been a point of discussion and has significantly shaped the Eurovision Song Contest over the decades.
8. Not Just Europe: Countries from Outside Geographical Europe Participate
While the name “Eurovision” might suggest it’s solely for European nations, the contest’s eligibility is based on membership in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). This opens the door for countries geographically located outside of Europe to participate if their national broadcaster is an active member of the EBU.
Here are some notable examples of countries from outside the traditional geographical boundaries of Europe that have participated in the Eurovision Song Contest:
- Israel: Israel joined Eurovision in 1973 and has been a successful participant, winning the contest four times. Geographically located in Western Asia, its broadcaster is an EBU member.
- Armenia: Located in Western Asia, Armenia debuted in 2006 and has consistently participated, achieving several top-ten results. Their broadcaster is also an EBU member.
- Azerbaijan: Situated in the Caucasus region, which is often considered the border between Europe and Asia, Azerbaijan first participated in 2008 and won in 2011. Their broadcaster is an EBU member.
- Georgia: Also located in the Caucasus, Georgia joined Eurovision in 2007 and has had some notable entries. Their broadcaster is an EBU member.
- Australia: Perhaps the most surprising participant for some, Australia made its debut in 2015 as a special guest for the 60th anniversary. Due to their strong Eurovision fanbase and active EBU membership (as an associate member), they have been invited to participate ever since and have even achieved second place.
- Morocco: Representing North Africa, Morocco participated once in 1980. Their broadcaster was an EBU member at the time.
Why these countries can participate
The key factor is membership in the European Broadcasting Union. The EBU’s membership extends beyond the strict geographical definition of Europe, encompassing broadcasters from countries in the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, and even associate members from further afield like Australia.
Potential Future Participants
Other countries with broadcasters who are EBU members, such as Lebanon and Tunisia, have expressed interest in participating in the past, although they haven’t yet made their debut.
This fact highlights the Eurovision Song Contest’s broader reach and its ability to transcend geographical borders, fostering cultural exchange and friendly competition among a diverse group of nations connected through the European Broadcasting Union.
7. Eurovision Has a Massive Audience
The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most-watched non-sporting events globally each year. Here’s why its audience is so significant:
- Television Viewership: The Grand Final consistently draws hundreds of millions of television viewers across Europe and beyond. In recent years, figures have often surpassed 160 million for the final night alone. Millions more watch the semi-finals.
- Online Streaming: With the rise of digital platforms, Eurovision’s reach extends far beyond traditional television. Millions more stream the live shows and related content on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and the official Eurovision app. In 2024, the official Eurovision YouTube channel garnered 81 million unique viewers during the event weeks.
- Global Reach: While primarily focused on participating countries (mostly within Europe, with some exceptions like Australia and Israel), the contest is broadcast and streamed in many other parts of the world. Fans from non-participating countries actively engage online and even vote (since the introduction of “Rest of the World” voting). In 2024, votes were cast from 156 countries globally.
- Youth Engagement: Eurovision has a strong and growing following among younger demographics. The viewing share among 15-24 year olds is particularly high, often exceeding the average broadcast channel share by a significant margin.
- Social Media Buzz: The contest generates enormous activity on social media platforms. Hashtags like #Eurovision trend globally, with billions of views on platforms like TikTok. Millions of unique accounts engage with official and fan-created content.
- Dedicated Fanbase: Eurovision boasts a large and passionate international fanbase who actively follow the preparations, vote, attend the live shows, and participate in online communities.
In conclusion, the Eurovision Song Contest’s ability to capture the attention of hundreds of millions of people across diverse platforms and geographical locations underscores its status as a truly global entertainment phenomenon.
Fun fact: Eurovision has become so popular that Netflix released a comedy film about it in 2020 — “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga” — starring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams, which helped introduce the competition to a whole new global audience.
6. Voting Has Evolved Significantly
The Eurovision Song Contest voting system has undergone many changes since the competition began in 1956. In the early years, results were decided by small national juries behind closed doors, with no public involvement — and some countries could even vote for themselves!
Over time, the process became more transparent and democratic. In 1997, televoting was introduced, allowing the public to have a direct say in who should win. Today, Eurovision uses a dual voting system, combining 50% professional jury votes with 50% public televotes to balance musical expertise with popular opinion.
Each country awards two separate sets of points — from 1 to 8, then 10 and 12 — to their top 10 songs in both jury and public categories. This often results in dramatic point reveals, especially during the grand final, where close races and surprise comebacks keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
To prevent political or bloc voting, the system has continued to evolve with independent juries, real-time transparency, and even algorithmic analysis to detect voting irregularities. Eurovision’s voting has become not just a key part of the show — but a spectacle of suspense and strategy in its own right.
5. There’s a Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision isn’t just for adults — there’s also a Junior Eurovision Song Contest, specifically created for young performers aged 9 to 14. Launched in 2003, the Junior edition follows a similar format to the main contest, with participating countries submitting original songs and competing for votes from both professional juries and the public.
Junior Eurovision gives young artists a chance to showcase their talent on an international stage, and many of its contestants go on to build successful music careers. Just like in the main show, the performances are full of energy, creativity, and sometimes even more emotion.
The competition usually takes place in November or December, and the number of participating countries varies each year. While it may not have the same global reach as the adult version, it continues to grow in popularity, especially among younger audiences and Eurovision superfans.
Fun fact: Some Junior Eurovision participants have even returned years later to compete in the main contest!
4. Big Five Automatically Qualify
In Eurovision, not all countries have to fight for a place in the grand final. The “Big Five” — France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom — automatically qualify every year, regardless of their previous results.
Why? These five nations are the largest financial contributors to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organization behind Eurovision. Their consistent funding helps keep the contest running, so they’re given guaranteed slots in the final as a form of recognition and support.
While this rule ensures high-profile countries are always part of the main event, it has also sparked debates among fans who feel it gives the Big Five an unfair advantage — or in some cases, a disadvantage, since their songs aren’t heard in the semi-finals and might receive less exposure before the final vote.
How Eurovision Qualification Works:
- All other participating countries must go through one of two semi-finals, typically held the week before the grand final.
- From each semi-final, the top 10 countries (based on jury and televoting) advance to the final.
- That means a total of 20 countries qualify from the semi-finals.
- They join the Big Five and the host country (which also qualifies automatically) to make up the final lineup of 26 countries competing for the title.
3. Eurovision Winner Hosts the Following Year’s Contest (Usually)
Traditionally, the country that wins the Eurovision Song Contest earns the honour of hosting the event the following year. It’s a major opportunity for the host nation to showcase its culture, creativity, and tourism to a global audience. However, hosting Eurovision isn’t cheap — and not every winning country is equipped to handle the costs or logistics.
There have been several exceptions where the winning country was unable to host due to financial constraints, infrastructure issues, or political instability. In such cases, another country — often one with stronger resources — steps in to host or co-host the event. A recent example is the UK hosting the 2023 Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine, which had won in 2022 but couldn’t host due to the ongoing conflict.
Ireland Has the Most Wins — While the UK Has a Love-Hate Relationship with Eurovision
When it comes to Eurovision success, Ireland holds the crown with a record seven wins — more than any other country. The Irish dominated the contest during the 1990s, winning four times in five years (1992, 1993, 1994, and 1996). Legendary acts like Johnny Logan, the only performer to win twice (1980 and 1987), helped cement Ireland’s place in Eurovision history.
In contrast, the United Kingdom has had a much more rollercoaster relationship with the contest. The UK has won five times, most notably with ABBA-influenced Bucks Fizz in 1981 and Lulu in 1969 (in a four-way tie). However, in more recent years, the UK has struggled — often placing near the bottom, including the dreaded “nul points” finish in 2021.
Despite the ups and downs, the UK continues to be one of Eurovision’s most loyal participants, even stepping in to host the contest in 2023 on behalf of Ukraine. British fans remain passionate, tuning in year after year for the music, the drama, and the glittery chaos.
2. Famous Artists Launched Their Careers at Eurovision
While not every Eurovision participant becomes a global superstar, the contest has undeniably played a crucial role in the early success of some very well-known musicians:
- ABBA (Sweden, 1974): This is perhaps the most iconic example. ABBA won the contest with “Waterloo,” which catapulted them to worldwide fame. They became one of the best-selling music acts of all time, and their music continues to be beloved decades later. 🎥Watch ABBA’s winning performance of “Waterloo” on YouTube.
- Céline Dion (Switzerland, 1988): Representing Switzerland, a young Céline Dion won Eurovision with “Ne partez pas sans moi.” This victory significantly boosted her international profile and paved the way for her incredibly successful career as one of the world’s best-selling singers. 🎥Watch Céline Dion’s winning performance of “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi” on YouTube.
- Julio Iglesias (Spain, 1970): Before becoming a global sensation in Latin music, Julio Iglesias represented Spain in Eurovision with the song “Gwendolyne.” While he didn’t win (he placed fourth), the exposure helped launch his international career. 🎥Watch Julio Iglesias Eurovision performance on YouTube.
- Olivia Newton-John (United Kingdom, 1974): In the same year ABBA won, Olivia Newton-John represented the UK with “Long Live Love” and finished fourth. Her Eurovision appearance came before her major breakthrough in Hollywood with “Grease,” but it certainly contributed to her visibility in Europe. 🎥Watch Olivia Newton-John Eurovision performance on YouTube.
- Lulu (United Kingdom, 1969): Lulu was already a known singer in the UK before winning Eurovision with “Boom Bang-a-Bang” (in a four-way tie). The win further solidified her career and international recognition. 🎥Watch Lulu Eurovision performance on YouTube.
- Johnny Logan (Ireland, 1980 & 1987): Known as “Mr. Eurovision,” Johnny Logan is the only performer to have won the contest twice. His victories with “What’s Another Year” and “Hold Me Now” cemented his place in Eurovision history and sustained a successful career for him. He also wrote Linda Martin’s winning song “Why Me?” in 1992. 🎥Watch both of Johnny Logan winning performances on YouTube – What’s Another Year? (1980) and Hold Me Now (1987).
- Katrina & The Waves (United Kingdom, 1997): While they had a major hit in the 80s with “Walking on Sunshine,” their Eurovision win with “Love Shine a Light” brought them back into the international spotlight and remains a beloved Eurovision anthem. 🎥Watch their winning performance on YouTube – Love Shine a Light (1997).
- Måneskin (Italy, 2021): More recently, Italian rock band Måneskin won Eurovision with “Zitti e buoni.” Their victory propelled them to international stardom, with their music charting globally and them performing at major music events. 🎥Watch their winning performance of Zitti E Buoni on YouTube.
These examples demonstrate how the Eurovision Song Contest, with its massive international audience, can provide a crucial platform for talented artists to break into the global music scene and achieve lasting success. For many, it’s a pivotal moment in their journey to stardom.
1. One of the World’s Longest-Running TV Shows
The Eurovision Song Contest isn’t just a music competition — it’s a piece of broadcasting history. First held in 1956, it has taken place every single year since then, with just one exception: 2020, when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That makes Eurovision one of the longest-running annual televised events in the world.
Created by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to bring post-war Europe together through music and shared culture, Eurovision has grown from just seven participating countries to over 40, with new nations joining and global audiences tuning in year after year.
Its consistent presence on television for nearly seven decades makes it a true broadcasting institution — outlasting countless trends, technologies, and even political eras.
