The Executive Supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest Mr. Jon Ola Sand has confirmed today that at least 41 countries will compete at the forthcoming 2016 Eurovision Song Contest scheduled to be held on 10, 12 and 14 May in Stockholm next May.

Mr. Jon Ola Sand (Executive Supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest) is currently attending the Host City Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where he stated that there will be 41 countries competing at the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest next year.

The news was also tweeted by the Eurovision Song Contest’s official twitter account earlier today, stating that the final list of participants for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest will be released in due course.

41 participants for #Eurovision 2016 so far, we heard @jonolasand say at the #HostCity2015 event. Full line-up to be revealed soon!

— Eurovision (@Eurovision) noviembre 9, 2015

 

A total of  42  countries have so far confirmed to ESCToday their participation at the forthcoming 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.  Croatia’s participation seems to be in the lurch as the country has to still to confirm their participation/ non participation at next year’s event.

Croatia has confirmed to ESCToday that their participation in Stockholm is unlikely, whilst we are awaiting a final and official confirmation regarding their participation. Whilst neighbouring Bosnia & Herzegovina initially applied for participation, the country decided to withdraw its application on 9 October. The EBU granted BHRT an extension period until the end of October to find a sponsor in order to fulfill its financial requirements if they are to participate. BHRT confirmed its participation on 24 November, thus Bosnia & Herzegovina will return to the contest after a 3 year absence.

So who are the 42 countries to battle next year?

[UPDATE 17/11/2016] : SBS and the EBU confirmed Australia’s participation on 17 November, thus bringing the number of confirmed countries to 40. Romania confirmed its preliminary participation to ESCToday on 17 November too, the country is yet to officially confirm its participation, bringing the number of participating countries to 41. Croatia is yet to make a final decision regarding their pontential participation in Stockholm. Bulgaria too has to make a final decision regarding its participation, after having initially applied for participation. Bosnia & Herzegovina confirmed its participation on 24 November.

Check the full list of countries which
confirmed at ESCToday their participation

Stay tuned to ESCToday for the latest news on the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.