Eurovision Song Contest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eurovision Song Contest |
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Logo since 2026
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| Genre | Music competition |
| Created by | European Broadcasting Union |
| Based on | Sanremo Music Festival |
| Presented by | Various presenters |
| Country of origin | Various participating countries |
| Original language(s) | Various; primarily English and French |
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| Production | |
| Production location(s) | Various host cities |
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| Production company(s) | European Broadcasting Union Various national broadcasters |
| Release | |
| Original release | 24 May 1956 – present |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows |
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The Eurovision Song Contest (often called Eurovision) is a huge international music competition. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has organized it every year since 1956. Each country sends one original song to represent them. These songs are performed live and broadcast to many countries. Then, people vote for their favorite songs to pick a winner.
This contest was inspired by Italy's Sanremo Music Festival. Eurovision has happened every year since 1956, except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This makes it the longest-running international music show on TV! Over 52 countries have taken part at least once. Each song must be three minutes or less. A singer or group of up to six people, aged 16 or older, performs it live.
Countries give points (1-8, 10, and 12) to their top ten favorite songs. These points come from both music experts and the public. The song with the most points wins! Many famous artists like ABBA and Céline Dion have performed at Eurovision. The show also features amazing opening and interval acts. These have included Cirque du Soleil and even the first performance of Riverdance.
Eurovision is a chance for the host country to show off its culture and attract tourists. Millions of people around the world watch it every year. It's one of the most-watched non-sporting events globally. Performing at Eurovision can really help artists become famous.
Sometimes, people discuss if countries vote for their friends. There have also been talks about the artistic quality of the songs. But Eurovision is loved for its fun, diverse music, and big fanbase. It has even inspired other similar music events.
Contents
- The History of Eurovision: A Musical Journey
- How the Eurovision Contest Works
- Who Can Participate in Eurovision
- Hosting the Eurovision Song Contest
- Eurovision Rules and Guidelines
- How the Contest Expanded
- Famous Artists and Songs
- Special Performances and Guests
- Eurovision's Impact on Culture
- Other Eurovision Events and Competitions
- See also
The History of Eurovision: A Musical Journey
How Eurovision Started
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The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) began in 1950. It brought together 23 broadcasting groups. The name "Eurovision" was first used in 1951 by a British journalist. He talked about a TV show being sent across borders.
In 1955, an EBU committee looked for new ideas. They liked an idea from Italy for a European song contest. In October 1955, the EBU agreed to create the "European Grand Prix." Switzerland offered to host the first event in Lugano in 1956. The contest aimed to test live TV broadcasts and promote new songs.
Growing and Changing Over Time
Seven countries joined the first contest in 1956. Each country had two songs, which was unique. Lys Assia from Switzerland won with her song "Refrain." At first, voting was secret. But from 1957, a scoreboard showed the votes publicly. The tradition of the winning country hosting the next year started in 1958.
Technology changed the contest over time. Color TV broadcasts began in 1968. Online streaming started in 2000. Widescreen broadcasts began in 2005, and high-definition in 2007.
By the 1960s, about 16 to 18 countries competed. Countries outside Europe, like Israel, Morocco, and Australia, later joined. As more countries wanted to join, the show became too long. So, in the 1990s, rules were added to limit entries. In the 2000s, semi-finals were created to allow more countries to compete.
Eurovision has had 70 contests as of 2026. This makes it the longest-running annual international music competition on TV. It is also one of the world's most-watched non-sporting events. A record 43 countries competed in 2008, 2011, and 2018.
The contest happened every year until 2020. That year's event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, a special show called Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light honored the songs and artists.
How Eurovision Got Its Name
The contest has had different names in various languages. The first contest had names like "European Grand Prix" in English. The names "Eurovision Song Contest" and "Concours Eurovision de la Chanson" became standard. In 1996, it was briefly called "Eurosong" in English, but this changed back. The names were officially standardized in 2004.
Only four times has the official logo used a name not in English or French. These were Italian names when Italy hosted in 1965 and 1991. A Dutch name was used when the Netherlands hosted in 1976 and 1980.
How the Eurovision Contest Works
Original songs from different countries are performed live. These shows are broadcast at the same time to all participating countries. Each country is represented by a TV broadcaster. The show is held in a chosen host city.
Since 2008, each contest usually has three live shows over one week. There are two semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday. The Grand Final is on Saturday. All countries compete in a semi-final, except for the host country. Also, five "Big" countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) automatically qualify. These countries pay the most to support the contest.
The other countries are split between the two semi-finals. The top 10 songs from each semi-final move on to the final. This means 26 entries compete in the Grand Final. As of 2026, Ukraine is the only country outside the "Big" countries to always reach the final.
Choosing the Songs and Artists
Each country's broadcaster decides how to pick its song. Some use a TV show where the public votes. Others choose internally with a committee. Some use a mix of both. Sweden's "Melodifestivalen" is a very popular selection show.
Each show starts with an opening act. This often includes music and dance. It helps create a unique theme for that year. Since 2013, the final's opening includes a "Flag Parade." Artists walk onto the stage with their country's flag, like at the Olympic Games.
One or more presenters welcome viewers. They give updates, interview artists, and guide the voting. After all songs are performed, viewers vote for their favorites. You cannot vote for your own country. Votes can be cast by phone, SMS, or the official app.
The public vote makes up 50% of the final score. The other 50% comes from a jury of music experts in each country. During the voting, there is an interval act. This often features famous people from the host country or international stars.
The voting results are then announced. In the semi-finals, the 10 qualifying countries are announced in a random order. The full results are kept secret until after the final. In the final, a spokesperson from each country announces their jury's points. Then, the presenters announce the public vote totals. The winning performers and songwriters receive a trophy. The winning country traditionally hosts the next year's event.
Who Can Participate in Eurovision
Members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) can participate. These are broadcasters in countries within the European Broadcasting Area (EBA). This area includes parts of Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. So, countries like Israel and Australia can join, even if they are not in Europe.
Australia was the first country outside the EBA to compete. This happened in 2015 for the contest's 60th anniversary. They were invited back and have participated every year since.
EBU members must follow the contest rules. They also pay a fee to participate. This fee varies based on the country's size and viewership. A maximum of 44 countries can take part in any one contest.
Broadcasters from 52 countries have participated at least once. Here are some of the countries and their debut years:
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Hosting the Eurovision Song Contest
The winning country's broadcaster usually hosts the next year's event. Hosting Eurovision is a great way to promote the country and city to tourists. It can also help the local economy.
Preparations for the contest start right after the previous year's event. Eurovision is a non-profit event. It is funded by fees from participating broadcasters, the host city, and sponsors. Money also comes from ticket sales and televoting.
The host broadcaster chooses a host city. This city must meet certain rules. The venue needs space for at least 10,000 spectators. It also needs a press center for 1,500 journalists. The city should have an international airport and hotels for many guests. Venues have ranged from small theaters to large stadiums. The largest was Parken Stadium in Copenhagen in 2001, with almost 38,000 spectators.
Eurovision Logos and Themes
Before 2004, each contest had its own unique logo. In 2004, the EBU introduced a standard logo. This logo has a heart with the host country's flag inside. The logo was updated in 2014 and again in 2025.
Each year, the host broadcaster creates a special theme. This theme influences the stage design and performances. Short video clips called "postcards" are shown between songs. These clips highlight the host country and introduce the artists. A unique slogan was used for each contest until 2024. Now, the permanent slogan is "United by Music." From 2026, a "Chameleon Heart" design element also reflects the host nation's identity.
Getting Ready for the Show
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Preparations at the venue start about six weeks before the final. This allows time for building and rehearsals. Delegations arrive a few weeks before the live shows. Each country's team includes performers, writers, and press staff. Commentators provide live commentary in their own language.
Each delegation has two private rehearsals. After rehearsals, they meet with the production team. They review footage and make changes. There are also "meet and greet" sessions for fans and the press. Three dress rehearsals happen before each live show. The second dress rehearsal, called the "jury show," is used by the professional juries to vote.
A welcome party is usually held the Sunday before the live shows. This includes a red carpet event for all countries. Fans and press can visit the "EuroClub," an official nightclub. The "Eurovision Village" is a public fan zone. It has live performances and screenings of the shows.
Eurovision Rules and Guidelines
The EBU organizes the contest with the host broadcaster. An executive supervisor and a reference group oversee the event. Detailed rules are written each year. These rules cover song eligibility, contest format, and voting.
Song Rules and Languages
All competing songs must be three minutes or less. Songs cannot be released commercially before September 1st of the previous year. All entries must have vocals and lyrics. Purely instrumental songs are not allowed. Songs can be performed in any language.
Language rules have changed over time. At first, there were no restrictions. Then, from 1966, songs had to be in an official language of the country. This rule was removed in 1973, brought back in 1977, and finally removed again in 1999.
Songwriters can be from any country and any age. They can also write multiple songs for different countries in one year. For example, Ralph Siegel wrote many entries over 40 years.
Artist Rules and Performances
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At first, only solo singers could enter. Duos were allowed later, and groups from 1971. Now, a maximum of six people can be on stage. No live animals are allowed. From 1990 to 2026, contestants had to be 16 or older. This changes to 18 in 2027. Sandra Kim won for Belgium in 1986 at age 13, making her the youngest winner.
Artists can be of any nationality. They can represent any country. Many winners have represented a country different from their birth country. An artist cannot compete for more than one country in a year. Artists can compete again in future years. Johnny Logan and Loreen are the only artists to win twice.
From 1956 to 1998, a live orchestra played for all acts. Pre-recorded backing tracks were allowed from 1973. In 1999, the orchestra became optional. The host broadcaster that year chose not to have one. This meant all acts used backing tracks for the first time.
The main vocals must be performed live. Since 2021, backing vocals can be pre-recorded. This change was made to add flexibility and modernize the show.
Performance Order
Since 2013, the contest producers decide the order of performances. This helps make the show more exciting for TV viewers. It also ensures different song styles are spread out.
A semi-final allocation draw happens each year. Countries are grouped by location and past voting. They are then assigned to one of the two semi-finals. The "Big Five" and host country automatically qualify for the final. They are assigned a semi-final for voting purposes.
After the semi-finals, qualifiers draw to see if they perform in the first or second half of the final. The host country's exact position is drawn separately. Producers then decide the final running order. They consider musical qualities, stage needs, and other production details.
How Voting Works
The results are decided by a point system. Each country gives two sets of points (1-8, 10, and 12) to their ten favorite songs. One set comes from the public vote. The other comes from a jury of seven music professionals. The public votes by phone, SMS, or the official app.
A "Rest of the World" vote started in 2023. Viewers in non-participating countries can vote online. These votes are combined and count as one extra country's public vote. Countries cannot vote for their own song. This rule started in 1957.
Historically, only juries decided the points. Televoting was first tested in 1997. It became mandatory for most countries from 1998. A jury was brought back for the final in 2009. Since then, the final results combine jury and public votes equally. This mix will return to the semi-finals from 2026.
If two or more countries have the same points, a tie-break rule is used. The country with more public votes is placed higher.
Announcing the Votes
Since 1957, each country's votes are announced during the broadcast. A spokesperson from each country reveals their results. These spokespersons are often well-known in their home country. From 1994, live video feeds showed the spokespersons.
Each country's jury points are added to a scoreboard. The jury points from 1-8 and 10 appear automatically. Then, the spokesperson announces which country gets their 12 points. After all jury points, the presenters announce the total public points for each finalist. Since 2019, public points are revealed from lowest to highest. This builds excitement. Full results are published online after the final.
Broadcasting the Show
Participating broadcasters must air the semi-final they are in, and the final, live and in full. This includes all songs, voting recaps, and the winner's song. Since 1999, broadcasters can show ads during short breaks. If a broadcaster fails to air the show, they might face penalties. Many non-participating countries also air the contest.
The EBU uses a special network logo and theme tune. The tune is from Marc-Antoine Charpentier's "Te Deum." The EBU now has recordings of almost all contests. Only a short clip of the 1956 winner and no full recording of the 1964 contest exist.
How the Contest Expanded
The first contest in 1956 had seven countries. The number of countries grew steadily. By 1990, 22 countries competed each year.
Changes in Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s led to more countries. New countries joined the EBU. This meant even more broadcasters wanted to participate.
Pre-selections and Relegation
In 1993, 29 countries wanted to join. This was too many for one show. So, a pre-selection round was held for seven new countries. Only three of them moved on to the main contest.
From 1994, a "relegation system" was used. Countries with low scores had to miss the next year's contest. New countries could then take their place. This system changed a few times over the years. For example, in 1996, an audio-only qualification round was held. Germany, a big supporter of Eurovision, missed out that year. This is the only contest Germany has not participated in.
The "Big" Countries
In 1999, France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom got a special rule. They automatically qualified for the final every year. These countries are the biggest financial supporters of the contest. They became known as the "Big Four." Italy rejoined in 2011, making them the "Big Five."
The "Big Five" and the host country automatically qualify for the final. They do not compete in the semi-finals. Spain chose not to participate in the 2026 contest for various reasons. This reduced the "Big" countries back to four.
Some people debate if this special status helps or hurts these countries. To address concerns about less stage time, from 2024, the "Big" countries and host country perform live in one of the semi-finals. They do not compete for qualification, but it gives them more stage time.
Introducing Semi-Finals
In 2003, many new broadcasters wanted to join. So, a semi-final was introduced in 2004. This made Eurovision a two-day event. The top 10 countries from the previous year's final, plus the "Big Four," qualified automatically. All other countries competed in the semi-final for 10 spots. The 2004 contest had a record 36 countries.
The single semi-final continued until 2007. That year, 42 countries competed, with 28 in the semi-final. Because of criticism about voting patterns, a second semi-final was added in 2008. Now, all countries (except the host and "Big" countries) compete in one of two semi-finals. This helps make the results less predictable.
Famous Artists and Songs
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Eurovision has launched the careers of many famous artists. ABBA, who won for Sweden in 1974, sold millions of albums and singles. Their winning song "Waterloo" sold over five million records. Céline Dion's win for Switzerland in 1988 helped her become an international star. She sold an estimated 200 million records worldwide.
Julio Iglesias became famous after representing Spain in 1970. Olivia Newton-John represented the United Kingdom in 1974. She later sold millions of records and starred in Grease.
Many artists who were already famous have also competed. These include Lulu, Cliff Richard, and Bonnie Tyler. Well-known songwriters like Andrew Lloyd Webber have also written Eurovision entries.
Some Eurovision songs have become huge hits. "Save Your Kisses for Me" (UK, 1976) sold over six million singles. "Nel blu, dipinto di blu" (Italy, 1958), also known as "Volare," won a Grammy Award. It sold over 22 million copies worldwide. "Eres tú" (Spain, 1973) was the first Spanish song to reach the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
More recently, "Euphoria" (Sweden, 2012) became a number one hit in many countries. "Arcade" (Netherlands, 2019) became very popular on TikTok. It was the first winning Eurovision song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 since "Save Your Kisses for Me." In 2021, Måneskin (Italy) became world-famous after winning with "Zitti e buoni".
Johnny Logan is the only artist to win twice as a performer. He won for Ireland in 1980 and 1987. He also wrote the winning song in 1992.
Eurovision Winners
73 songs from 28 countries have won the Eurovision Song Contest as of 2026. Ireland and Sweden have won the most, with seven victories each. France, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands each have five wins. Of the 52 countries that have participated, 24 have not yet won.
In 1969, four entries tied and were all declared winners. Most winning songs have been in English, especially since 1999. Only seven winning songs since then have been fully or partly in another language.
Only Serbia won on its first try in 2007. Switzerland won the very first contest in 1956 with its second song. Some countries waited a long time for their first win. Portugal won in 2017, 53 years after its debut.
The United Kingdom has finished second 16 times. Norway has finished last a record 12 times. Countries have won back-to-back four times. Ireland won three times in a row from 1992 to 1994. They also won in 1996, giving them four wins in five years.
Winners receive a trophy shaped like a 1950s microphone. It is usually presented by the previous year's winner.
Special Performances and Guests
Besides the main competition, there are always special performances. These include opening acts and interval acts. They often feature famous artists and local stars. The reigning champion traditionally returns to perform their winning song.
The interval act, performed during the voting, is a memorable part of the show. These acts often showcase the host country's culture. For example, "4,000 Years of Greek Song" was performed in 2006. Some acts are funny, like "Love Love Peace Peace" in 2016. Riverdance first appeared as an interval act in 1994. It later became a huge international dance show.
Famous artists like Justin Timberlake and Madonna have performed as guests. Other notable acts include Cirque du Soleil and the Vienna Boys' Choir. Sometimes, guest performances respond to world events. For example, in 1999, all acts sang "Hallelujah" as a tribute. In 2022, anti-war songs were performed due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Eurovision's Impact on Culture
The Eurovision Song Contest has fans all over the world. It attracts 100 to 200 million viewers each year. It is often seen as fun and unique. It is also a topic for comedy sketches and films. The 2020 Netflix movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is an example.
Eurovision has a large online following. Many websites and fan clubs are dedicated to it. The oldest and largest fan club is OGAE, started in 1984. National branches of OGAE host events to celebrate Eurovision.
Before the contest, smaller "pre-parties" are held. These events feature the artists performing live. Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam is one of the first. Other events include the London Eurovision Party and PrePartyES in Madrid. During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual events like EurovisionAgain became popular.
Other Eurovision Events and Competitions
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The EBU has organized other events related to Eurovision. These include anniversary shows and other contests. Broadcasters also create special Eurovision programs for their viewers.
The EBU has celebrated several anniversaries. Songs of Europe in 1981 celebrated 25 years. Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 picked the most popular song from the first 50 years. Eurovision Song Contest's Greatest Hits in 2015 marked the 60th anniversary. After the 2020 contest was canceled, Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light honored the planned songs. A concert tour for the 70th anniversary in 2026 was postponed.
Other EBU contests include Junior Eurovision Song Contest for young singers (9-14 years old). There is also Eurovision Young Musicians and Eurovision Young Dancers. Eurovision Choir is a competition for non-professional choirs. The Eurovision Dance Contest was held in 2007 and 2008.
Similar music competitions exist outside the EBU. The Sopot International Song Festival has been held since 1961. The OTI Festival was for Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries. The Turkvision Song Contest was for countries with Turkic links. An American Song Contest was held in the United States in 2022. An adaptation for the Asia-Pacific region is planned for 2026.
See also
In Spanish: Festival de la Canción de Eurovisión para niños
