It’s sealed! A total of 41 countries are set to compete at the forthcoming 2020 Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam. The EBU has released the official list of the 2020 ESC participating countries.

35 countries will compete in the 2 semi-finals scheduled to be held on 12 and 14 May. A total of 26 countries will compete in the grand final on 16 May.

The Big 5 countries (Spain, United Kingdom, France, Italy and Germany) + host country (The Netherlands) are automatically qualified to compete in the grand final. Hence 20/35 countries will proceed from the semi-finals to the grand final and join the Big 5 and The Netherlands.

The Semi-final Allocation Draw and Host Insignia Handover Ceremony is set to be held in Rotterdam on 28 January.

Mr.Jon Ola Sand (Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor – EBU) says:

We can’t wait to “open up” to participants from 41 countries in Rotterdam next year. We are thrilled that so many public broadcasters will be presenting their nation’s best musical talent as we celebrate the 65th Eurovision Song Contest.

The team from NPO, NOS and AVROTROS have 3 fantastic state-of-the-art shows planned and the excitement around the event in the Netherlands is incredible

Participating countries

1. Albania
2. Armenia
3. Australia
4. Austria
5. Azerbaijan
6. Belarus
7. Belgium
8. Bulgaria
9. Croatia
10. Cyprus
11. Czech Republic
12. Denmark
13. Estonia
14. Finland
15. France
16. FYR Macedonia
17. Germany
18. Georgia
19. Greece
20. Iceland
21. Ireland
22. Israel
23. Italy
24. Latvia
25. Lithuania
26. Malta
27. Moldova
28. The Netherlands
29. Norway
30. Poland
31. Portugal
32. Romania
33. Russia
34. San Marino
35. Serbia
36. Slovenia
37. Spain
38. Sweden
39. Switzerland
40. Ukraine
41. United Kingdom

Hungary and Montenegro have withdrawn from next  year’s competition, whilst Ukraine and Bulgaria are back in the game after a year’s absence.

The 2020 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 12, 14 and 16 of May at the Rotterdam Ahoy in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.