The Eurovision in numbers ahead of Saturday's final
The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Basel, Switzerland, with the grand final on Saturday on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Here is a snapshot of the Eurovision in numbers:
0
Countries have scored the dreaded zero points in Eurovision finals on 37 occasions. It was fairly common in the 1960s, happening 19 times, but became rare after semi-finals were introduced in 2004. The feat became mathematically even more difficult after the voting system changed in 2016. However, Britain's James Newman managed it in 2021.
3
Basel sits right on the border of three countries: Switzerland, Germany, and France. The three countries meet in the River Rhine. Three presenters will host the final: stand-up comedian Hazel Brugger; entertainer and television presenter Michelle Hunziker; and singer Sandra Studer, who represented Switzerland at Eurovision 1991.
5
Eurovision's 'Big Five' main financial backers - Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain - are guaranteed a place in the final.
6
Dublin has hosted the Eurovision six times, a record for any city.
7
Sweden and Ireland have both won Eurovision a record seven times.
9
Britain has hosted the competition a record nine times, after its own five outright victories and stepping in for other countries, including when Liverpool hosted in 2023 following war-torn Ukraine's win.
13
Belgium's Sandra Kim is the youngest Eurovision winner, having triumphed in 1986 with J'aime la Vie at the age of 13.
Watch: Sandra Kim sings J'aime la Vie at the Eurovision in Bergen, Norway in May 1986.
14
Greece, Norway, and Ukraine have qualified from the semi-finals a record 14 times.
16
Britain has finished in second place a record 16 times, way ahead of France at six times, and Germany at five.
26
The number of countries that now compete in the grand final.
27
Eurovision-winning songs have come from 27 different countries - Russia being the biggest and Monaco the smallest.
30
The record number of years between Eurovision appearances, with Poland's Justyna Steczkowska returning in 2025 after competing in 1995.
37
The number of countries taking part in the 2025 edition across the semi-finals and final.
43
A record 43 countries participated in 2008, 2011, and 2018.
69
This year is the 69th edition of Eurovision.
95
The oldest-ever contestant was Takasa's double bass player Emil Ramsauer, who was 95 when competing for Switzerland in 2013.
156
Viewers in 156 countries voted in last year's contest.
1956
The first Eurovision was held in the Swiss city of Lugano in 1956. Seven countries took part.
1974
ABBA took the 1974 competition in Brighton by storm with Waterloo, and the Swedish four-piece remain the most successful act ever to have won Eurovision.
1988
Aged 20, Canadian starlet Céline Dion represented Switzerland at Eurovision 1988 in Dublin, singing Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi. She won, launching her career outside of her homeland.
Watch: Céline Dion sings Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi at the Eurovision in the RDS in Dublin in May 1988.
4,500
Lighting fixtures in the Basel stage set, using mainly low-energy LED and laser technology.
6,500
The number of tickets sold at Basel's St Jakobshalle for each of the nine shows, including six dress rehearsals.
14,000
The number of people accredited for Eurovision 2025.
100,000
Organisers' estimate of the crowds lining Sunday's opening parade in Basel.
163,000,000
The number of people who watched Eurovision 2024 on television or online.
The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final airs on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Saturday from 8pm.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
4 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Reeling in the years -- The jig certainly isn't up as Riverdance celebrates three legendary decades
From a stunning interval act during Eurovision to a global phenomenon… Riverdance is celebrating a remarkable 30 years on the road tonight. As soon as the short–but–thrilling first-ever performance finished in the Point Depot in 1994, thousands in the audience jumped to their feet and erupted into ecstatic applause. The original producer, John McColgan, has recalled that he was in tears at the reception the seven-minute 'interlude' received and knew he had to give Riverdance its own Broadway-style show. Director of Riverdance John McColgan. Pic: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos. Just a year later, Riverdance was on the road and has been ever since, entertaining millions around the globe and bringing them a taste and flavour of the rich Irish culture that spawned it. In its 30 years on the road, the show has seen many romances blossom among cast members, producing 70 marriages and 130 babies. Riverdance 30 – The New Generation has kicked off a three-month stint at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, running until September 7. Original Riverdance. Pic: File A sign of its longevity is the fact that the entire cast is now younger than the show itself. Daragh Roddy, the son of a former Riverdance lead, Pat Roddy, is dancing in the show's Dublin debut. The show made careers of its original leads: US-born dancers Michael Flatley, 66, and Jean Butler, 54, both went on to individual global stardom. Overseeing rehearsals for the new show was McColgan, now 80, who produced the original performance with his wife, Moya Doherty, 68. Current Lead Riverdance dancers Amy Mae Dolan and Fergus Fitzpatrick on stage with Director of Riverdance John McColgan and (L) Former dancer Susan Ginnety and (R) Breandán De Gallaí. Pic: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos. He recalled: 'The Point Theatre: when Riverdance finished, 4,000 people jumped to their feet in unison, but I was in tears, I knew something special had happened.' A year later, McColgan had turned the interval act into a two-hour stage show, which opened in Dublin on February 9, 1995. Talking about the transformation, he said: 'I was a big fan of the Broadway musical, and I wanted to take Irish dance and the very strait-laced way it had been performed. We change it and polish it all the time. Former Riverdance dancer Pat with his son Darragh (20). Pic: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos. 'The fundamental show is the same, but you get new energy every time there is a new cast. They're like young athletes now, and they take it very, very seriously.' Anna Mai Fitzpatrick, who dances in the show with her brother Fergus, grew up in Meath thinking she wanted to be in Riverdance. She said: 'We absolutely feel the responsibility and we take that challenge completely positively and we see it more as an honour rather than a heavy weight. Riverdance was here before either of us were born.' Fergus described leading Riverdance along with his sister as a 'dream come true', adding: 'It's even more special to be able to have family on the road with you when you're traveling, getting to do what you love, getting to see these amazing places while taking care of the iconic show.' While Sheena McMorrow is too young at 17 to join the full cast, she took part in last night's special performance at the Gaiety, following in the dance steps of her parents, Fran and Jonathan McMorrow, both former Riverdance members. 'My parents met in Riverdance, and that just made it so clear Irish dancing was going to be a big part of my life,' she said. Dad Jonathan said: 'It's fabulous for her to be able to do this. She's looked forward to this day for a very, very long time.' Tickets for the Gaiety shows are priced from €36.55 to €61.10.
Irish Independent
8 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming choices: The British Soap Awards, Spartacus and Power Moves with Shaquille O'Neal
The British Soap Awards 2025 Virgin Media One, 8pm Jane McDonald hosts a lavish evening of celebration at London's Hackney Empire. Among the highlights are a farewell to Coronation Street veteran Helen Worth and EastEnders' 40th anniversary. Capaillíní TG4, 8pm Máirtín Ó Neachtain meets the Corrandulla Show's organiser, Lucille Smyth, who explains why she believes events such as hers remain so important to the public. Plus, two people can be seen preparing their horses for competition. The final two episodes of the series begin with a surprise – the Pope has agreed to be a special guest on the show. However, as you may have already guessed, nothing goes exactly as expected. Spartacus BBC Four, 8.15pm Stanley Kubrick's wonderful Roman epic stars Kirk Douglas as the titular slave who leads a rebellion against their oppressors. The incredible cast also includes Tony Curtis, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Woody Strode, Charles Laughton and an Oscar-winning Peter Ustinov. Dept. Q Netflix, streaming now DCI Carl Morck may be an excellent investigator, but there's no hiding from the fact that he's a terrible co-worker. There's the small matter of his scathing sarcasm, which has left him without a single friend in the Edinburgh police force. Then there's the rather more serious issue of him having fatally shot a young officer and permanently injured his partner. Unsurprisingly enough, following this tragic turn of events, Morck is relegated to Department Q: a cold-case unit which was created as a publicity stunt. Although the force is thrilled to see Carl go, he soon sets about assembling a group of outcasts who are all keen to prove themselves. Yes, it does sound a bit like Slow Horses, which is quite the gauntlet for Netflix to throw. Only time will tell if it's worthy of comparison. With yer man from Leap Year (Matthew Goode) essentially playing a hybrid of Gary Oldman's Jackson Lamb and Jack Lowden's River Cartwright, I wouldn't hold my breath. A Widow's Game Netflix, streaming now Picture it: August 2017. In a Valencia parking lot, a man is found stabbed seven times. The city's Homicide Group, led by a veteran inspector, races to solve the case, which appears to be a crime of passion. Their investigation soon takes a shocking turn, pointing to an unlikely suspect: Maje, the victim's seemingly sweet and stoic widow, married to him for less than a year. Mission: Impossible Fest Disney+, streaming now We can never get enough of the Mission: Impossible movies, it seems. You can now watch all the prequels to the recently released The Final Reckoning if you're so inclined. Bono: Stories of Surrender Apple TV+, streaming now Behold Bono's one-man stage show, exploring the personal experiences that have shaped him as a son, father, husband and activist. Oh, and as one of the planet's biggest rock stars. If Owen Wilson's signature shtick is more to your liking, The Stick lands Wednesday. Good Boy Prime Video, streaming now In order to combat crime in a perilous underworld, a group of former medal-winning athletes exchange the podium for police badges. In an exciting, action-packed ride, Yun Dong-ju (Park Bo-gum) and his group battle a formidable criminal syndicate. Also on Prime Video, we have season 2 of The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, courtesy of producers Maya Rudolph and Natasha Lyonne. The Better Sister Prime Video, streaming now D'you know what society needs? More portrayals of women being pitted against each other. Based on Alafair Burke's novel, however, this eight-part thriller attempts to turn things. When media executive Chloe (Jessica Biel) and her estranged sister Nicky (Elizabeth Banks) are reunited after a murder, they must unravel long-buried family secrets to uncover the truth. Criminal Code Netflix, streaming now Season 2 of the Brazilian action series inspired by real crimes sees an elite Federal Police unit take on a ruthless gang in a high-stakes battle. For a telenovela twist, The Heart Knows follows a man who unknowingly falls for his heart donor's widow. Yep. Power Moves with Shaquille O'Neal Netflix, streaming now NBA legends Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson were among the biggest names sporting Reebok in the '90s. Now, O'Neal is trying to revive the brand's legacy and find a rising star to rep it (his son being among the potential candidates).
Irish Examiner
19 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Will Ferrell ‘excited' to bring Eurovision musical to Broadway
Will Ferrell has said he is 'excited' to bring a musical version of the Eurovision Song Contest to Broadway. The American actor, 57, is basing the project on his Netflix movie, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga, which he starred in opposite Canadian actress Rachel McAdams and British actor Dan Stevens. 'We are more than excited to bring Eurovision to Broadway,' said Ferrell. 'The stage musical is a perfect place to continue our celebration of all the things we love about this amazing and unifying song competition.' Ferrell starred opposite Canadian actress Rachel McAdams, pictured, in the Netflix movie (Ian West/PA) The production will feature a book by Ferrell, Harper Steele, who both co-wrote the original film and were in the documentary Will & Harper together, and Anthony King, a TV and Broadway writer. Music will come from Savan Kotecha, who was behind the songs for the Netflix movie, and will be directed by Alex Timbers. 'Will Ferrell and Harper Steele are my comedy heroes,' Timbers, a Tony award-winning director, said. 'And when I first saw their joyful movie Eurovision during the pandemic, it buoyed spirits during a very dark time. 'With this stage adaptation, I can't wait to bring that same mix of heart, spectacle, irreverence, and awe to audiences across the world.' In the 2020 movie, The Notebook actress McAdams, an Oscar nominee, and Elf star Ferrell play Icelandic musicians Lars Erickssong and Sigrit Ericksdottir who are competing at Eurovision. JJ from Austria won Eurovision 2025 (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) It was nominated for a best original song Academy Award for Husavik (My Hometown) written by Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus, and Rickard Goransson. Eurovision director Martin Green, from the organising group, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), said: 'This is a stellar team for what I am sure will be an equally stellar adaption of a film the world loved. 'Our aim always is to bring the joy of the Eurovision Song Contest to more people globally – especially as we approach our 70th edition in 2026.' Last month, the 2025 winner of Eurovision was crowned as 24-year-old opera singer JJ from Austria, who entered with the dramatic Wasted Love. Netflix has previously turned its popular science fiction show Stranger Things into a play in the West End called Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which serves as a prequel to the series.
