Eurovision 2025: Semi-final pot distribution unveiled

by Sanjay (Sergio) Jiandani 711 views

Basel is all set to welcome the 2025  Eurovision Song Contest. The Semi-final Allocation Draw and official Host Insignia Handover Ceremony will be held in Basel  on Tuesday 28 January at 12:30 PM CET. The EBU has revealed the semi-final allocation pot distribution.

Host Insignia Handover Ceremony

A representative from the City of Malmo will officially hand over the keys to a reprensentative from City of Basel.

A grand ceremony will be organized for the occasion where Basel will officially take over from Malmo as the Eurovision host city.

The ceremony will be carried out in the presence of SSR-SRG and EBU officials.

The Host Insignia Handover Ceremony will be followed by the semi-final allocation draws. Both the draws and Host Insignia Ceremony will be hosted by Jennifer Bosshhard and Jan van Ditzhuijzen.

Semi-final allocation draw: Pot allocation

A total 31 countries have been divided into 5 pots and will be distributed equally into each of the 2 semi-finals by a draw. The draw will determine which country will compete in which semi-final.

Pot 1

  • Belgium
  • Czechia
  • Estonia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Latvia
  • Netherlands

Pot 2

  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Georgia
  • Israel
  • Poland
  • Ukraine

Pot 3

  • Albania
  • Austria
  • Croatia
  • Montenegro
  • Serbia
  • Slovenia

Pot 4

  • Cyprus
  • Greece
  • Ireland
  • Malta
  • Portugal
  • San Marino

Pot 5

  • Austalia
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • Iceland
  • Norway
  • Sweden

16 countries will compete in one semi-final whilst 15 countries will compete in the other. The draw will be supervision of the EBU.

First/second half of semi-final allocation draw

During the draw we will also get to know if the participating countries will perform in the first half or second half of their respective semi-final. As in previous years, the exact running order will be determined by the producers of the show.

From each semi-final, ten countries will proceed to the Grand Final on 17 May, joining the six pre-qualified countries (Switzerland, Spain, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy).

In total, 26  countries will be represented in the Grand Final.

Big 5  semi-final voting draw

The Big 5 (Italy, France, UK, Spain and Germany) countries and Switzerland (Eurovision 2024 winner) will vote in the semi-finals too.

A draw will also determine which country will vote in which semi-final.

Running order to be determined by late March

A total of 37 countries will compete at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel next May.

The exact running order of the 31 countries competing in the 2 semi-finals on 13 and 15 May will be determined by the producers of the show by late March.

The Big 5 (Spain, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy) and Switzerland  are automatically qualified to compete in the Grand Final on 17 May.

The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 13, 15 and 17 May at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland.

Source: eurovision.tv
Photo credit: SSR-SRG