Eurovision 2025: List of participating countries and ones banned
The show is back and a total of 37 countries are competing in the 2025 edition - but there are some who are banned from taking part in the spectacle
Music enthusiasts across Europe are gearing up for the return of the legendary Eurovision Song Contest. The semi-final stages of this year's contest are currently in progress, with fans eagerly anticipating whether their favourite acts will advance to the next round.
This year, Basel is the host city, following last year's triumphant win by Switzerland's Nemo in Sweden. Their song, The Code, was a reflection on their non-binary identity.
While speculation is rife about how Switzerland will stage the spectacle - with whispers of a Celine Dion performance - one thing is certain: the countries vying for the prestigious award. The UK's entry this year is Remember Monday, who are hoping to dodge the infamous nil points announcement.
The Country trio secured the coveted role after being chosen by the BBC's team of experts. Fans might recognise the group from their stint on The Voice, where they made it to the quarter finals, reports the Mirror.
Remember Monday is representing the UK this year at the contest (Image: INSTAGRAM)In total, 37 countries are competing on the grand stage, with the top 10 from each semi-final progressing to join the 'big five'. But who else will be competing - and who is prohibited from doing so?
Who are the Eurovision Song Contest 'big five'?The UK, Spain, Germany, France and Italy comprise the annual event's 'big five'. This means these countries automatically qualify for the final, which will take place on Saturday, May 17.
Their direct path to the final is due to these nations being the largest financial contributors to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the entity that owns and operates Eurovision. This rule was introduced in 2000, granting these five countries - along with the host nation - automatic entry into the final.
Eurovision 2025 semi-final line-upsThose outside of the 'big five' aiming for a spot in the grand finale must first compete in two semi-finals. The first semi-final kicked off last night (Tuesday, May 13), featuring Iceland, Poland, Slovenia and Estonia initially.
The line-up continues with: Spain, Ukraine, Sweden, Portugal, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Azerbaijan, San Marino, Albania, Netherlands, Croatia, Switzerland and Cyprus. As Italy, Spain and Switzerland have an automatic pass to the Grand Final, their viewers will be able to cast votes for their preferred acts.
The second semi-final is scheduled for Thursday, May 15. This round will see 16 countries vying for a place in the final. These include: Australia, Montenegro, Ireland, Latvia, Armenia, Austria, Greece, Lithuania, Malta, Georgia, Denmark, Czechia, Luxembourg, Israel, Serbia and Finland.
Despite already securing their spots in the final, the UK, France and Germany entries will also perform. Their audiences will still have the opportunity to vote for their favourite songs.
Italian singer Gabry Ponte representing San Marino this year (Image: AFP via Getty Images)Countries that are banned from EurovisionDespite anticipating a chilly reception and potential protests, Israel is still participating in this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Over 70 past contestants have united to demand the country's exclusion due to its ongoing bombardment of Gaza.
However, some nations have been barred from the competition. Belarus is one such country, having been prohibited from competing since 2021.
The nation's entry song that year, Ya Nauchu Tebya (I'll Teach You), was deemed to contain politically charged and potentially harmful lyrics. Russia has also been banned, with its participation indefinitely suspended due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine that started in February 2022. Critics of Israel's entry have accused the EBU of inconsistency in light of this ban.
Eurovision's live semi-finals continue tomorrow night (May 15) on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
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