The annual Eurovision Song Contest is a popular event and has, over its history, built a big fan base. European countries (plus occasional invites from outside the continent) compete, with each country represented by one act.
Many countries have a national competition where the public votes to decide which act will represent them at Eurovision. The hosting duties for the Eurovision Song Contest fall to the winning nation from the previous edition. The Eurovision betting odds cover the entire annual event.
Eurovision History
The first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, held in 1956, featured just seven countries. That inaugural event, won by artist Lys Assia for Switzerland, stands alone in Eurovision history as the only edition in which countries were represented by two songs.
The competition was created by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for its member countries but soon attracted attention outside of Europe. African and Asian countries began entering from the 1970s onward.
Australia was invited to the party at respectable odds in Eurovision betting to celebrate the event's 60th anniversary in 2015. They didn't win but have remained part of the competition ever since.
Eurovision holds a special place in many people's hearts. Not only is it the longest-running televised music competition in the world, but it's also one of the most watched non-sporting events.
The Format
Eurovision semi-finals were introduced in 2004, which opened up new betting angles with Eurovision winner odds for the new stage. The ten nations with the highest points totals from each of the semis advance to the final.
There is a Eurovision Big Five, comprising France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Those nations all get a free pass into the Eurovision Song Contest Final because they are the largest financial contributors to the EBU.
The public's votes for the semi-finals count as the scoring. For the final, the public televote and the judges' votes each give credit to a nation.
Eurovision 2025 Schedule
The 69th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in May 2025 at St. Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland. The first semi-final will be on Tuesday, 13 May 2025; the second on Thursday, 15 May; and the grand finale on Saturday, 17 May.
Only 31 of the 37 participants will compete in the semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday. The top 10 from each semi-final will advance to the grand finale on Saturday.
Eurovision 2025 Betting Odds
In the first semi-final, Sweden is the possible top 'Outright' winner, competing with the song 'Bara Bada Bastu.' Estonia and the Netherlands might take the second and third, respectively, and will be represented by the songs 'Espresso Macchiato' and 'C'est la vie' for the latter.
Israel is a possible 'Outright' winner in semi-final 2, and it will be represented by the song 'New Day Will Rise.' Austria, Finland, Malta, and Greece come next.
We expect a tight race between Sweden and Austria for the outright winner in 2025. Israel, France, and the Netherlands are also expected to be closely watched as the final votes come.
Here are the Eurovision odds 2025 for the overall outright winner position:
- Sweden
- Estonia
- Netherland
- Ukraine
- Albania
Eurovision 2025 Favourites
With the song 'Bara Bada Bastu,' Sweden is set to win the 2025 Eurovision. This song is already generating a buzz after beating out former Eurovision winner Mans Zelmerlow with strong public and jury votes.
Austria comes in as the second favourite with JJ's 'Wasted Love.' This dramatic and emotional song, together with JJ's soaring vocals and captivating melody, has made Austria a top contender.
Israel, France, and the Netherlands are other top favourites in the 2025 Eurovision. These groups have won the favour of judges and the public with their emotionally engaging presentations and powerful lyrics.
Eurovision Betting Tips
The list of participating acts is known well before the current edition. So, you can check out the tunes for the entries listed in the Eurovision betting odds.
Scour the official Eurovision site and read user comments on social media to get a sense of which nations will do well. Then, compare that research to strong odds in Eurovision 2025 betting markets.
Semi-Finals Eurovision Betting Markets
- Semi-Final Outright Winner: Which nation will win their respective semi-final event?
- To Qualify for Final: Nations can be selected to qualify for the Finals.
- Not to Qualify for Final: Eurovision Betting odds on nations to not qualify for the Finals.
Eurovision Song Contest Final Betting Markets
- Outright Winner: Which nation will win outright? Eurovision winner odds get clearer after the semi-finals.
- Top 10: Backing a nation to finish in the Top 10 is a popular option. Variations are a Top 3 and a Top 5 finish.
- Top Big Five Country: Which Eurovision Big Five nation will earn the most points in the Final? Variations include Top Nordic and Top Baltic Country.
Eurovision Song Contest Facts
Eurovision has many rules, and one of them is that a song has to have both music and lyrics. Three times since the turn of the century, there have been entries with completely made-up languages, twice from Belgium in 2003 and 2008 and by the Netherlands in 2006.
Portugal won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2017, setting a record points tally of 758 with the song 'Amar Pelos Dois' by Salvador Sobral.
The joint all-time most successful nations in Eurovision are Ireland and Sweden, both with seven victories. No more than six people can be on stage during a performance, and live animals are banned. The youngest ever entry came along at Eurovision 1986 with Belgium's 13-year-old artist Sandra Kim.
Up until 1988, Eurovision had a live orchestra, but backing tracks are now used for music, and songs may only last up to three minutes.
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