Eurovision Song Contest 2025: Provisional List of Participating Countries

As the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 approaches (yeah, I know we are still in May 2024), we are getting excited as the provisional list of participating countries is beginning to take shape. Eligibility for participation in the Eurovision Song Contest requires a national broadcaster with active EBU membership, capable of receiving the contest via the Eurovision network and broadcasting it live nationwide. Invitations are issued to all active members by the EBU, with automatic final spots guaranteed for the “Big Five” countries and the host country, Switzerland. Other countries compete in two semi-finals to earn their place in the grand final.

As of May 2024, the list of following countries have publicly confirmed their intention to participate in the 2025 contest:

Confirmed Participants
1. Austria – ORF
2. Belgium – VRT
3. Croatia – HRT
4. Denmark – DR (Artist TBD on 1 March 2025)
5. Germany – ARD
6. Luxembourg – RTL
7. Malta – PBS
8. Portugal – RTP
9. Serbia – RTS
10. Spain – RTVE (Artist TBD at Benidorm Fest 2025)
11. Switzerland – SRG SSR

EBU Members Considering Participation

• Albania: Andri Xhahu, the Eurovision commentator and spokesperson for RTSH, revealed that preparations for Festivali i Këngës, the national competition to select Albania’s entry, have begun.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: BHRT has expressed intentions to return to the contest, though it remains under EBU sanctions due to financial debts.
• Czechia: The Czech Assistant Head of Press confirmed that a decision on participation has been made and will be announced after August 2024 .
• Finland: Yle, the Finnish broadcaster, has announced the opening of submissions for Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2025, the national contest used to select their Eurovision entry.
• Ireland: RTÉ hopes to establish a new national final format independent of The Late Late Show, after plans for 2023 were disrupted by a financial scandal.
• Latvia: A petition with 10,000 votes has been submitted to the Saeima, suggesting withdrawal from Eurovision due to high costs and participants’ perceived behavior.
• Lithuania: The head of the Lithuanian delegation confirmed that the superfinal round of their national final will continue due to its success.
• Montenegro: RTCG plans to organize a music festival that might serve as a selection process for Eurovision, pending budget considerations.
• Netherlands: Following disqualification last year, a significant portion of the Dutch population is hesitant about participating unless Joost Klein is their representative again.
• Slovenia: RTVSLO is planning to return to using a national final, EMA, to select their entries from 2025 onwards.
• Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated the country’s decision to stay out of Eurovision, criticizing the contest’s values.

Uncertain Participants

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey’s participation remains uncertain due to financial and political reasons, respectively. Meanwhile, the Netherlands and Latvia face public skepticism and internal debates about their future in the contest.

This is just a preview of the Eurovision feast to come, Eurovisionnaires! As the host city and dates are revealed, and more countries confirm their participation in the list, the rumor mill will be in overdrive. We’ll be here, dissecting every whisper, analyzing every social media post, and keeping you updated on all the juicy Eurovision gossip. So, dust off your flags, stock up on douze points, and prepare yourselves for a Eurovision extravaganza unlike any other! The 2025 contest in Switzerland promises to be a spectacle of musical fireworks, potential comebacks, and of course, the sweet anticipation that only Eurovision can bring.