Eurovision Song Contest 2024: When is Eurovision 2024, where is it and who is representing the UK?

Olly Alexander will represent the UK during the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö in May.

Eurovision will take place next week, with fans from more than 80 countries expected to flock to the event in Sweden.

The final will be held in Malmö on Saturday, May 11, following the week’s two semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday.

Loreen during Eurovision in 2012 - the first time she won for Sweden.

It will be the third time Eurovision will be held in the city, following Sweden’s historic victory during last year’s song contest in Liverpool, which played host on behalf of Ukraine. Loreen represented the country with her song Tattoo, becoming the first woman to win Eurovision twice and helping Sweden match Ireland’s record of 7 total wins.

Here’s everything you need to know about the event from where it will be held to exactly when the final is, and more.

When is Eurovision 2024?

The Eurovision final will take place on Saturday, May 11 from 8pm in the UK.

The Grand Final will follow two rounds of semi finals on Tuesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 9.

Where is Eurovision 2024?

Eurovision 2024 will take place in Malmö, Sweden. It follows Loreen’s win with her song Tattoo during last year’s competition which was held in Liverpool on behalf of 2022 winner Ukraine.

The Netherlands during Eurovision rehearsals at the Malmo Arena. Image: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett

The semi-finals and grand final will be broadcast live from the Malmö Arena.

Where to watch Eurovision

The 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will be broadcast live on the BBC. The semi finals will be on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday 7 and Thursday, May 9 at 8pm.

Meanwhile, the grand final will be broadcast from 8pm on Saturday, May 11 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, in addition to coverage on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.

Who will host the Song Contest?

Eurovision 2024 will be hosted by beloved Swedish comedian Petra Mede alongside Swedish-American Hollywood actress Malin Åkerman.

Malin Akerman will host Eurovision 2024.

Having hosted the 2013 competition, Mede is a Eurovision veteran while Åkerman – who is known for roles in shows and films such as Billions and The Proposal – will make her Eurovision debut.

Who is representing the UK during Eurovision 2024?

Olly Alexander will represent the UK during the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.

Olly Alexander during the UK's first Eurovision rehearsal. Image: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett

The English performer was the lead singer of pop band Years & Years, whose hits include tracks such as Shine and King, and is also known for his role in the critically acclaimed television Channel 4 series It's A Sin.

Alexander will perform his track Dizzy during the first round of semi finals, which will include “Big Five” performances for the first time ever, and the grand final.

Who are the ‘Big Five’?

Eurovision fans will often hear the so-called “Big Five” being mentioned - these are the countries whose broadcasters make the biggest financial contributions to Eurovision each year.

The UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain make up Eurovision’s “Big Five”.

As a result of their financial help, acts from these countries are fast-tracked through the competition to compete in the final.

Only the host country will also automatically qualify for the finals, as is tradition for the previous year’s winning country.

Italy is one of the Eurovision Big Five countries, with their 2024 entry Angelina Mango among this year's favourites. Image: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett

How many countries are in Eurovision?

Artists from 37 countries will compete in Eurovision 2024.

Ten acts from each semi-final will go through to the Eurovision final, joining the “Big Five” and host country Sweden. This means that 26 countries will compete in the Eurovision final.

Who are this year’s favourites?

This year’s favourite acts include Switzerland’s entry, The Code by Nemo, as well as Croatia’s Baby Lasagna, Joost Klein for the Netherlands and Italy’s Angelina Mango.

While the UK’s odds during Eurovision 2024 aren’t terrible, Olly Alexander has still competition - especially with the new voting system which was introduced last year and additional changes for this year’s contest.

When was the first Eurovision?

The first Eurovision Song Contest was held on May 24, 1956 in Lugano, Switzerland.

Now in its 68th year, Eurovision was one of the earliest attempts to broadcast a live televised event to a large international audience.