A special draw was held today at Lisbon’s City Hall in order to distribute the 37 semi-finalist countries into one of the two 2018 Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals, scheduled to be held on 8 and 10 May in Lisbon.

The 2018 Eurovision Song Contest Semi-final Allocation draw was held today at Lisbon’s City Hall and was conducted by Filomena Cautela and Silvia Alberto (Eurovision 2018 hostesses) under the supervision of Mr. Jon Ola Sand (Eurovision Executive Supervisor on behalf of the EBU).

Semi-final allocation draw results

Nineteen countries will compete in the first semi-final on 8 May, whilst 18 countries will compete in the second semi-final on 10 May.

A total 37 countries were distributed into 6 pots and were allocated into one of the two semi-finals by a draw. During the the draw it was also determined in which half of the semi-final the allotted countries are to perform.

Another draw was held to determine which semi-final the Big 5 countries and Portugal are to vote in.

Semi-final 1

Semi final 2

Grand Final

The United Kingdom, Spain and Portugal will vote in the first semi-final on 8 May whilst Italy, France and Germany will vote in the second semi-final on 10 May.

A total of 43 countries will participate at the forthcoming 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. 37 countries will compete in the semi-finals, whilst the Big 5 and the host country Portugal are automatically qualified to compete in the grand final

The 2018 Eurovision Song Contest will be held on 8, 10 and 12 May at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal.