Eurovision 2017: Dates, location, hosts

The Eurovision Song Contest 2017 will take place in Ukraine. Kyiv will host the contest at the International Exhibition Centre.

The first semi-final will be held on Tuesday 9 May 2017, the second semi-final on Thursday 11 May, and the grand final on Saturday 13 May.

Euroclub will be hosted at the riverside Parkovy Convention & Exhibition Center. Further venues are still to be confirmed.

Which countries are doing Eurovision 2017?

The EBU has confirmed that 43 countries will be competing in Eurovision 2017. Returning to the competition will be Portugal and Romania, who did not participate in 2016. 2016 runner-up Australia has been invited back again. So far, 43 acts and 42 songs have been revealed.

From 1 September 2016, potential entries may be published or performed publicly.

For full dates of national finals, selection announcements and other important events, see our Eurovision Calendar of Events.


AlbaniaLindita Halimi – “World”

Former American Idol contestant Lindita Halimi will represent Albania after winning Festivali i Këngës 55. Her winning song “Botë” was reworked with English lyrics as “World” for Eurovision.

ArmeniaArtsvik –  “Fly with Me”

Former Voice of Russia contestant Artsvik will represent Armenia in Kyiv. She was the first artist to be confirmed after winning the three-month-long national selection talent show Depi Evratesil in December. However, her song “Fly with Me” is the last to be released.

Australia: Isaiah“Don’t Come Easy”

Australian X Factor winner Isaiah Firebrace will represent his country with the ballad “Don’t Come Easy”. The song has been written by DNA, the team who were also behind Dami Im’s “Sound of Silence”.

AustriaNathan Trent – “Running on Air”

R&B and pop singer-songwriter Nathan Trent has been internally selected by Austrian broadcaster ORF. His song for Kyiv is called “Running on Air” and has been written by Nathan himself.

AzerbaijanDiana Hajiyeva – “Skeletons”

Azerbaijan has internally selected the alt-pop singer Diana Hajiyeva (who also performs as the band Dihaj). She will sing the alt-pop song “Skeletons”.

BelarusNavi – “Story of My Life”

Folk duo Navi won Belarus’ national final with their upbeat song “Historyja majho zyccia”. At Eurovision, it will be known by its English language title, “Story of My Life”, but will keep the Belarusian lyrics. This is the first time Belarus will send a non-English song to Eurovision.

BelgiumBlanche – “City Lights”

Wallonian broadcaster RTBF has internally selected Blanche, who previously appeared on the latest season of The Voice Belgique under her real name, Ellie Delvaux. She will sing “City Lights”.

BulgariaKristian Kostov“Beautiful Mess”

Bulgarian broadcaster BNT internally selected Kristian Kostov from a shortlist of six acts. The Bulgarian X Factor singer will perform the ballad “Beautiful Mess”.

Croatia: Jacques Houdek – “My Friend”

Croatian broadcaster HRT has internally selected The Voice of Croatia coach and six-time national final contestant Jacques Houdek. His song is titled “My Friend” and is a hybrid pop and popera song, with Houdek singing both parts.

CyprusHovig – “Gravity”

Cyprus has internally selected the singer Hovig, who previously competed in the 2015 Cyprus national final. He will sing “Gravity” written by the Swedish maestro Thomas G:Son.

Czech RepublicMartina Bárta – “My Turn”

Czech Television has selected jazz singer Martina Bárta as their act for Kyiv. She will perform the song “My Turn”.

Denmark: Anja Nissen – “Where I Am”

Anja Nissen, the Danish-Australian singer who win The Voice Australia, will represent Denmark with her self-written song “Where I Am”. After placing second in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix in 2016, she beat nine other acts to win this year.

Estonia: Koit Toome & Laura“Verona”

After winning Eesti Laul, Eurovision veterans Koite Toome (ESC 1998) and Laura (ESC 2005) will again represent their country at Eurovision. They will perform the mid-tempo love song “Verona”. The song is expected to undergo a minor revamp before Eurovision.

Finland: Norma John – “Blackbird”

Indie pop duo Norma John upset the favourites in winning Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK). Their haunting song “Blackbird” was staged beautifully and is unlikely to change much going to Kyiv.

France: Alma – “Requiem”

From over 300 entries, broadcaster France 2 has internally selected Alma and her song “Requiem”. A Eurovision version of the song has been edited to under three minutes, given a stronger orchestral sound and features an English chorus.

GeorgiaTako Gachechiladze“Keep the Faith”

From a national final of 25 acts, Tako Gachechiladze won with her song “Keep the Faith”. Tako was formerly a member of 3G who were selected in 2009 to represent Georgia with the controversial “We Don’t Wanna Put In” before being forced to withdraw. “Keep the Faith” will be revamped by Swedish producer Thomas G:son.

Germany: Levina“Perfect Life”

Newcomer Levina will represent Germany with “Perfect Life”. The song was selected at the national final Unser Song 2017 where five artists competed with different versions of only two songs. The song will undergo a revamp for Eurovision and will be released on April 14.

Greece: Demy – “This Is Love”

Greece has internally selected the singer Demy. Her song for Kyiv was chosen by a national final, where the public selected “This Is Love” out of two other songs. The song was co-written by Eurovision veteran Dimitris Kontopoulos and will be staged by another Eurovision veteran, Fokas Evagelinos.

Hungary: Joci Pápai“Origo”

Singer-songwriter Joci Pápai has won Hungary’s national selection A Dal with his song “Origo”. The song lyrics include both Hungarian and Romani lyrics.

IcelandSvala –“Paper”

Iceland will be represented by Svala and her song “Paper”. She won the national final Söngvakeppnin 2017 and is the only artist to have topped the national final jury vote, televote and superfinal vote since the system was introduced in 2015.

IrelandBrendan Murray – “Dying to Try”

Broadcaster RTÉ has internally selected Brendan Murray, a former member of the Irish boyband HomeTown. He will sing the ballad “Dying to Try”.

Israel: Imri Ziv – “I Feel Alive”

Israel has selected Imri Ziv, who won the talent show The Next Star for Eurovision 2017. Ziv has prior Eurovision experience as the backing vocalist for Nadav Guedj and Hovi Star. He will sing the upbeat dance track “I Feel Alive”.

ItalyFrancesco Gabbani – “Occidentali’s karma”

Francesco Gabbani will represent Italy in Kyiv after winning the Sanremo Music Festival with his song “Occidentali’s karma” (“Westerners’ karma”). The song is over three minutes long and will need to be shortened for Eurovision. The lyrics will remain in Italian.

LatviaTriana Park – “Line”

Electro pop band Triana Park won Latvia’s national final Supernova. They will represent their country in Kyiv with the song “Line”.

Lithuania: Fusedmarc – “Rain of Revolution”

After a marathon ten-week national final, the band Fusedmarc won Eurovizijos atranka. They will perform their ’80s-style pop song “Rain of Revolution” in Kyiv.

FYR MacedoniaJana Burceska – “Dance Alone”

Broadcaster MRT has internally selected the former Macedonian Idol contestant Jana Burceska for Kyiv. She will perform the upbeat song “Dance Alone”.

Malta: Claudia Faniello“Breathlessly”

Malta Eurovision Song Contest veteran Claudia Faniello has won the Maltese national final with her classic ballad “Breathlessly”. The song has been remastered for Eurovision.

Moldova: SunStroke Project“Hey Mamma”

Moldova will be represented by the SunStroke Project who won O melodie pentru Europa with their song “Hey Mamma” The group previously represented Moldova in 2010 with “Runaway”, which became known for the viral appearance of Epic Sax Guy.

MontenegroSlavko Kalezic“Space”

After many weeks of deliberation, broadcaster RTCG has internally selected the flamboyant singer Slavko Kalezic. He will perform the club track “Space”.

NetherlandsO’G3NE – “Lights and Shadows”

Girl group and The Voice of Holland winners O’G3NE will represent the Netherlands. The sisters also represented the Netherlands at Junior Eurovision 2007. Their song for Kyiv is “Lights and Shadows”, which showcases the sisters’ tight harmonies.

NorwayJOWST – “Grab the Moment”

Norway will be represented by music producer JOWST and his song “Grab the Moment”. The Melodi Grand Prix-winning track features vocals from Aleksander Walmann.

Poland: Kasia Mos – “Flashlight”

Singer Kasia Mos has won Poland’s national selection Krajowe Eliminacje. The 2016 national finalist will represent Poland in Kyiv with her song “Flashlight”.

PortugalSalvador Sobral – “Amar pelos dois”

Portugal will make its Eurovision comeback with Salvador Sobral who will sing the gentle ballad “Amar pelos dois” (Love for both). The song is again in Portguese and was written by Salvador’s sister  Luísa Sobral.

RomaniaIlinca feat. Alex Florea“Yodel It!”

Romania will be represented by The Voice of Romania alums Ilinca and Alex Florea. They will perform “Yodel It”, which combines, rap, yodelling and R&B styles.

Russia: Julia Samoylova – “Flame Is Burning”

Broadcaster Channel One has internally selected the Russian X Factor runner-up Julia Samoylova. She will sing the peace song “Flame is Burning”.

San MarinoValentina Monetta & Jimmie Wilson – “Spirit of the Night”

Three-time Eurovision singer Valentina Monetta is returning to represent San Marino for a fourth time. She will be joined by Europe-based American singer Jimmie Wilson on the disco track “Spirit of the Night”. It has been written by Eurovision legend Ralph Siegel.

SerbiaTijana Bogicevic – “In Too Deep”

Serbian broadcaster RTS has confirmed that US-based singer Tijana Bogicevic will be Serbia’s singer in Kyiv. She will sing the dance track “In Too Deep”.

Slovenia: Omar Naber – “On My Way”

Slovenia will be represented by Omar Naber who won EMA with his self-written ballad “On My Way”. He previously represented Slovenia at Eurovision in 2005 with “Stop”, which placed 12 in the semi-final.

Spain: Manel Navarro –“Do It for Your Lover”

After the highly dramatic national final Objetivo Eurovisión, singer Manel Navarro was selected to represent Spain in Kyiv. He will perform his song “Do It For Your Lover”.

SwedenRobin Bengtsson – “I Can’t Go On”

Robin Bengtsson will represent Sweden with his electropop song “I Can’t Go On”. Robin was the winner of Melodifestivalen 2017, with a jury majority giving him the win.

Switzerland: Timebelle“Apollo”

The Swiss-Romanian group Timebelle won the radically overhauled Swiss national final ESC 2017 – Die Entscheidungsshow. They will perform the sweet love song “Apollo” in Kyiv.

Ukraine: O.Torvald“Time”

Host country Ukraine will be represented by the rock band O.Torvald with their song “Time”. The band won Ukraine’s national selection, beating 25 other acts hoping to represent their country on home turf.

United Kingdom: Lucie Jones“Never Give Up On You”

Former X Factor UK and musical theatre star Lucie Jones won the BBC’s Eurovision: You Decide national final. Her song “Never Give Up On You” was co-written by former Eurovision winner Emmelie de Forest. The song has undergone a minor revamp for Eurovision.


Which countries aren’t doing Eurovision 2017?

  • Andorra has confirmed they will not compete in Eurovision 2017.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina‘s broadcaster has confirmed that due to financial issues, it would be “highly irresponsible” to enter when funding is not available.
  • Kazakhstan is only an associate member of the EBU and would require a special invitation from the EBU.
  • Kosovo‘s broadcaster is not yet a member of the EBU, however the broadcaster is working to meet entry requirements.
  • Luxembourg has also confirmed that they will not compete in Eurovision 2017, though a future return to Eurovision will be discussed by a government committee.
  • Monaco has again confirmed that the tiny principality will not return to Eurovision in 2017.
  • Morocco did not publicly confirm either way, but as expected their name was not on the list of confirmed countries.
  • Slovakia‘s broadcaster RTVS says that due to limited funds, production of local television is prioritised over participating in Eurovision. The broadcaster has confirmed to fan media that they will not return in 2017.
  • Turkey‘s national broadcaster TRT earlier expressed an interest in returning to Eurovision, but according to a Ukraine television executive, TRT refused the invitation to Eurovision 2017.