The Eurovision 2023 host nations have drawn their positions for when they’ll perform in the final.On Saturday 13 May at the Eurovision 2023 grand final, Ukraine’s Tvorchi will perform 19th, while United Kingdom’s Mae Muller will perform 26th, closing the show.
These positions were drawn at random at the Eurovision 2023 Head of Delegation meeting in Liverpool on Monday 12 March.
Eurovision 2023 grand final running order: United Kingdom to close the show
Today’s host country draw was overseen by Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Recent tradition dictates the host country’s starting position is drawn at random, while the countries qualifying from their semis will draw into either the first half or second half of the final. The final running order will be determined by show producers, who aim to create a show that offers visual and aural contrast for the viewers at home.
closing the the show??? girl let me get back on this treadmill cos pic.twitter.com/tlQHaoXFWo
— Mae Muller ?? (@maemuller_) March 13, 2023
How is the Eurovision running order decided?
The Eurovision running order is decided through a two-step process. First, the finalists qualifying from the semis randomly choose from a pot whether they would perform in the first half or the second half of the grand final. Producers then arranged the acts considering two main criteria: creating an interesting show (mixing up genres and the visual flow and feel of the show), and practicalities (like how long it will take to construct and deconstruct various stage props).
Does running order impact a country’s chances of victory?
It is generally considered favourable to perform from a later position in the running order. Several recent winners performed in the second half of the show, including Italy’s Måneskin (24th in 2021), Israel’s Netta (22nd in 2018), Ukraine’s Jamala (21st in 2016) and Denmark’s Emmelie de Forest (18th in 2013).
But winning from an earlier position isn’t unheard of. Sweden’s Måns Zelmerlöw (10th), Portugal’s Salvador Sobral (11th) and The Netherlands’ Duncan Laurence (12th) all performed in the first half.
The only running order position to have never produced a winner is the second place draw, often considered “the death slot”. But remember — there’s a first time for everything!
What do you think? How will Ukraine and the United Kingdom fair in this running order? Let us know below.
Hoped to see Ukraine perform 2nd. I’m utterly disappointed.
Albania ?? got good chances this year to win
The UK song is tedious. It will finish in or near top 12 as it is the home nation but it is really nothing special amd certainly isn’t ending the show with a bang. Ukraine will get a wave of public support again wherever they perform and whilst it is lovely , I can’t help wondering how damaging it will be to the contest if it keeps happening
I don’t understand why this wasn’t done at the draw ceremony on January 31. Why did it have to wait for all the songs to be declared?
Because they could not let the host countries get bad running orders? Who the hell knows how these slots were generated? Moreso, whereas there were any fewer than the 14th-ish slot. The whole production and the fact that both Ukraine and the UK get very decent running orders are questionable. Now we need Sweden to fill the 20th slot, and it’s certain that this whole competition has become a lobby for money.
I can see Austria performing 25th in the final.
Why do people interpret this as negative? The Eurovision staff likes to make fun transitions in their running order. Two songs about women writing songs would be such an example. Though it will only happen if Austria gets to perform in the second half of the final.
How fast they can change the staging in between acts is also a factor.
Why do hate to united Kingdom ? Every year Bullying my Country if was for uk won’t have contest this year
Vote song 26
Who hates it?
I don’t think people hate it, it is just so disappointing.
First it’s not all about you. Second, it’s not that people usually hate the UK. They are just often disappointed by how poor their entries are considering the size of their music industry and their history in the competition – as is shown in the points they get. When they send a good song, like in last year, they do well. When they send mediocre songs that are either meant to be “very radio friendly” or “very eurovision” (whatever that means) as is usually the case, they make people disappointed in them. I think that the split this yeas is… Read more »
How convenient, the host country to close the final. Lucky draw, ha? Riiiiight :))))))))))
Dida try say it’s a fix saw draw ?
What’s so lucky about performing last? I don’t think anyone’s ever won from performing last (26th or 25th)
It’s not about luck. Countries that show up late usually do well with the televotes. Especially the last 3-4. Countries that start early (except for maybe the first song) usually don’t do well because 25 songs later televotes tend to forget about them. This is why #2-3 in the running order is considered the worst placement and is usually considered a death sentence.
Nice song for losing the show but what if people thought she was an UK interval act and not vote for her??
It’s probably not even worth contemplating.
It’s not like people can’t read the “26 UNITED KINGDOM” in the corner…
Funny how this ‘random’ draw has never been earlier than 10th in the running order
Or later than 1st or earlier than 3rd
Hosts countries (therefore countries that had their draw at random) that performed earlier than 10th:
Sweden 2016 (9th)
Portugal 2018 (8th)
Italy 2022 (9th).
If hosts drawing a random was a thing in 2010 then we can include Norway 2010 performing 3rd
Portugal drew 8th and Sweden and Italy drew 9th when they were hosting
It’d be funny if the host country drew 1st or 2nd tho
25th slot to Czechia would be nice…
Oh, yes… pleaaaaaasssse!!!
If Cheznia qualifies…..
Sweden is guaranteed spot #25 so not sure it’s good to close the show after.
Not if Sweden is in the first half.
In which case spot 13
Imagine Loreen gets the second spot. We will never hear the end of the meltdown.
Unlikely under the current system. We already know that they give #2 to a low-scoring semi-finalist.
Imagine Sweden on 2nd spot
Last place for UK confirmed
Not the last place, but something similar to Miki (Spain 2019) is what I predict.
It won’t be last place more like on the top piece
Troll!
So, do we have all the songs now? I can’t recall seeing one drop from Armenia yet?
Armenia’s song releases on 15th and Georgia’s on 16th
Can see both countr
Can see both countries in top 15 along with rest of big 5, this could be another strong showing for auto qualifiers, not sure if any will win, most likely us France or Spain though in my opinion
“The producers decide”. And the producers decided to give two of the best positions. UK kind of makes sense because is uptempo and the host (the real host). But Ukraine is being favoured bu putting them there.
Okey, nevermind. It was all randomly selected. Anyway, both were lucky.
Nobody was ‘put’ anywhere dude. the hosts position in the running order is drawn at random
I want Gary Lineker to give out the UK points. When do we usually know?
Nah, I want David Tennant. Or one of the two still living Beatles.
Next week is the 60th anniversary of the first album by The Beatles, with May being the anniversary of when it reached No.1. I think an interval performance is called for! In support of Ukraine.
Nah, I want Matt Smith. Or one or preferably both of Judi Dench and Maggie Smith.
Patricia Routledge?
Hey, sure!
If Nigella Lawson can do it, there are no rules!
Sorry, you’re gonna have to be happy with Dawn French. They have chosen her.
I’m always happy with Dawn French!
Good to hear that.
Gary Lineker? Might be too political even for Eurovision ?
Okay, well then Meghan Markle. Eurovision legend.
I think she’s available.
The Sussexes could come back for Eurovision, but not the Coronation.
Well I hope their application for tickets was more successful than mine
Usually the BBC would have someone from their news or entertainment division deliver the points. It’d be a stretch to get a sports personality to do so.
I’m sure if you loaned the right person enough money, the current BBC Chair will make it happen for you.
He would probably charge us taxpayers an extra one million pounds
About time he did something worthwhile for the obscene amount of money he costs the taxpayer.
Good spot for UK, that song will make a good closer.
Nice slot for Ukraine
Good positions for Ukraine and the UK. Having the hosts later in the show is generally considered better for their viewing figures. Having Ukraine later in the show will probably help keep some casual viewers too. Going last might give a little creative edge to the UK delegation for any elaborate staging they might want to use. I think Mae could do really well closing the show, it’s a strong position for her to leave a lasting impression.
It always makes me smile when the writer says various songs have won singing in the first half. Yes but they are placed at the back end of the first half as they know they are fans favourites from semi finals and finished high in the semis accordingly.
Or for logistical reasons, it’s easier to set up the stage for some acts that require less props, etc. So spacing them out with those that are difficult to put up are the way to go.
Unless you are Malta
It bugs me that after two-year hiatus it’s again the big5 country to close the show!
2014 – the UK
2015 – Italy
2016 – Armenia, but second to last was the UK
2017 – France
2018 – Italy
2019 – Spain
XD
It was a draw tho. It wasn’t intended to put the UK last.
Great draws for both countries! I know many fans isn’t too keen on UK but I actually think they will do very good from this position. Performing last isn’t always the best spot but for this kind of song in particular it couldn’t be better. It’s s good song but doesn’t stand the most out in a big crowd, being the last of the night ensure it does!
Both got great positions, I’m afraid the audience would snub Mae and be treated like La vinda back in 2019.
Good positions for each country.
Don’t mind much whether or not this was done in public, as I feel Mae’s song is actually a good closer for this year’s show! 😀
I mean, yeah, I hate the idea of the producers choosing the running order instead of a draw, though
I actually prefer the producers setting the positions.
You don’t wan all the favorite in a row to cancel each other, and you don’t want the snooze fest entries opening/closing.
Both of you have valid points.
Perhaps they should have half the countries draw… maybe every other position? Every song that placed the best the year before perhaps? Then the producers could fill in the gaps.
It would lessen the producers power but still help facilitate a smooth show that way. Somthing ought to be possible here as a compromise.
Noa Kirel will open the final very likely, i expect Serbia’s superstar Luke Black to perform around slot 14 or 15
Depends on whether they qualify (which they most likely will) and if they draw the positions you expect them to draw
If Noa draws 2nd half, no opening the final for her
If she qualifies…
Her show is gonna be phenome phenome phenomenal!
However my top 3 is
1. Moldova
2. Romania
3. Croatia
The big advantage this gives U.K. is props . The won’t be a rush to clear the stage for next act . Hope they do this wisely
I’m pretty sure the part about #2 being the only non-winning slot is not accurate
I think nobody has ever won from spots 16, 25, 26, and 27
And these are all in 2nd half
UK singing last will help the song to get even more votes I do not believe the UK will come 15th or 20th I think this could even win it now
No way 15 or or more in top 10
For those who don’t believe that this was drawn in public
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cpu8kYnJXNv/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
So that means we’re not going to end the show on a high note, unfortunate.
playing in 26th is often average songs which just ensures the end of the show so United Kingdom which takes this place is rather a good choice but will finish between 15th and 20th place. on the other hand Ukraine is very well placed is it a coincidence or a false draw to support Ukraine, no one can verify since the draw is not live. So make 2 places less in the 2nd part of the evening aie aie aie
Why didn’t they just do this on camera at St. George’s Hall, with all the rest?
I’m not suggesting anything, just wondering.
It was publicly done, so no conspiracy here.
Unless all the balls were number 19 or 26
So no matter how many balls you had in your hands, you would always have the same two balls.
It’s going to be such a party in Liverpool with Mae closing the show! Also looks like her song us going to break into the top 40 in her debut week which I don’t think has ever happened with a UK act!
Check your history always happened charting high in 60’s and 70’s
Ok 2 of the big 6 already in the second half, it means it remains only one spot in the 2nd half for the others 4…it’s rude…and Italy, France and Spain were already in the first half last year…
I mean not really rude if they had just as much chance to land in the first half.
1 chance out of 4 to perform in the 2nd half is kind of rude and unfair imo.
Doesn’t work like that if I’m correct. It only means there will be when the big 5 remaining 4 countries will draw their halves the pot will contain 13 1st half vs 11 2nd half. That’s just give higher probability to draw 1st half but technically all of them can still draw 2nd half.
Maybe but I thought the big 5/6 were shared equally in the two halves..
Ok my bad you’re right I’ve rewatched the press conference where the big 5 draw their half, sorry
Ok my bad I made a mistake it’s not how it works, sorry, I complained for nothing.
Every country should draw their running order.
wow, producers manipulating the show really works on some minds that seem to agree with it. No wonder how year after the contest is losing its identity. When full playback will be allowed there will still be some people to agree with it.
I get the idea, but to counter that point, can you imagine having to listen to 5 slow songs in a row? Might as well tune out for a while.
As in… positions 13-18 last year?
I feel like they should draw ranges, not final spots. For example, say Spain draws spots 4-6. That gives the producers some freedom to place Span in spot 4, 5 or 6 depending on the other songs, but they will not be able to put them at the extreme beginning or end of the first half and unfairly ruin their chances.
Wait…we’re performing last? Why am I seeing stars in my eyes ALREADY? It’s a good catchy song regardless but this will be ending the show with a bang. Hopefully Mae will give a good performance and the staging will be second to none – because this has the potential to do EXTREMELY well with this draw!
UK is the best closing act. She is coming for the top 3 in the televote
No.
What if people thought she was an UK interval act and not vote for her lmao,
No hate to these two but in general it’s becoming kinda sus how the host country never draws a bad spot in the running order.
That is a good spot in the first half. If you have a winning song in the first half you get put from places 9 to 13 with some filler in between.
Yes but it wasn’t drawn according to which half it is. I mean that Italy was indeed in a good spot in the first half , but the first spots in the second half are better. If the draw wasn’t reliable, they could have put the host country in the last spots of the second half which they didn’t.
Remember, 26th in the running order does not guarantee a good place. While Italy 2018 got 3rd in the televote I believe, Spain 2019, San Marino 2021, UK 2014 and many other entries that performed last did not score very well. So I’m sceptical about how this will play out for UK
I was wondering if both Ukraine and United Kingdom were both going to get randomly selected running order slots, and it looks like they both did.
Yes, I was wondering too. Hope you are well. At least the “producers” can’t put Loreen last lol
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Once I’d got over not getting Birdy, I realised that the UK song is actually perfect for them. They don’t want to host two years in a row but still want to show that they’re now taking the competition seriously and are making progress. It does all of that and more. Get your spoons ready – the UK is SERVING!
This is a great draw for the Uk.
Let’s hope this helps mae get the votes she deserves. She will be brilliant in the night.
Producers typically like to have uptempo songs last, so UK will be the perfect show closer. I don’t think it’ll hurt them too much. If anything, it’ll be better than performing in the first half. Especially if the performance and staging is impressive, it will be fresh in voters minds when they come to vote.
That’s a very good spot for both countries! Especially for the UK, not only because the show will be closed with a banger, but also because it will not be lost or forgotten among other entries that are “loud” (even if they are few)
Sometimes closing the show seems to kill a song’s chances and there’s a risk of this happening with the UK now…
It worked just fine for Johnny Logan
Johnny Logan didn’t perform last either time?
Perhaps he meant when Johnny was an interval act. Or competing in the Castlebar or Charleville Cheese Song Contests.
I don’t see why that would affect this song…it would do the opposite as Mae is bringing the party.