Eurovision 2023: All 26 countries competing in grand final confirmed

Annabel Nugent
·2 min read

After an incredible second semi-final, the 26 countries performing in Eurovision’s grand final have been confirmed.

On Thursday night (11 May), the second round of semi-finals for the Eurovision Song Contest were held in Liverpool with 10 countries going through to the grand final taking place on Saturday (13 May).

Those countries are: Cyprus, Estonia, Belgium, Albania, Lithuania, Poland, Austria, Australia, Armenia, and Slovenia.

Greece, Denmark, San Marino, Georgia, and Iceland failed to make it through.

These 10 winners join those of the first semi-final (which was held on Tuesday 9 May): Croatia, Moldova, Switzerland, Finland, Czechia, Israel, Portugal, Sweden, Serbia, and Norway.

Those 20 countries will compete on Saturday (13 May) against last year’s winners, Ukraine, as well as the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, and France. The Big Five automatically qualify for the grand final due to their financial contributions to the event.

A running order for Saturday’s competition – taking place at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena – is expected to be announced shortly. This article will be updated accordingly.

Thursday’s broadcast was led by the trio of hosts: Britain’s Got Talent star Alesha Dixon, Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina, and Hannah Waddingham.

Slovenia entrant Joker Out celebrate getting through to the final during the semi-final 2 of Eurovision Song Contest at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool (PA)
Slovenia entrant Joker Out celebrate getting through to the final during the semi-final 2 of Eurovision Song Contest at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool (PA)

After having previously wowed fans with her “unreal” vocals, Waddingham once again impressed viewers as she showed off her fluent French while reading the competition’s voting roles, which have undergone a major change for 2023.

“Honestly Hannah, I could listen to you do that all night,” said Dixon after the cheers from the crowd had subsided.

The Ted Lasso star replied: “My French teacher would be so proud!”

Hannah Waddingham at the Eurovision semi-final (BBC)
Hannah Waddingham at the Eurovision semi-final (BBC)

Among Thursday’s winners were Australia’s entry, the prog-rock band Voyager.

The self-confessed Eurovision die-hard fans have come close to representing Australia twice before but only now have secured their prestigious position in the competition. You can read all about Voyager at our Q&A with the band here.

Saturday’s grand final will begin at 8pm and be broadcast on BBC One. You can find out all the information on how to watch the event – commentated by Rylan and Scott Mills – here.