Eurovision semi final running order, timings and how to watch Ireland perform
Eurovision 2025 is finally here, with the first semi final taking place tonight. A total of 37 countries will take to the stage in Basel in Switzerland over the next few days, ahead of the grand final on Saturday.
Ireland's representative this year is Norwegian singer Emmy, who will be flying the flag for Ireland with her song Laika Party. Written in collaboration with an Irish songwriter, the track helped her secure the win on RTE's Eurosong earlier this year.
Emmy wrapped up her second dress rehearsal on Thursday, and afterwards said: "We definitely have done some change and even after the first rehearsal, we had to do some changes because of the size of the stage and the prop that we didn't know of. So yeah, there's got to be changes, but trying to keep the core of the Eurovision performance, or some elements of it."
Bookmakers had Emmy at 10/11 to qualify for the final just last week. Cal Gildart of Ladbrokes said: "Ireland are being backed by patriotic punters to reach successive Eurovision finals. Emmy's song is proving popular domestically so hopefully it can translate to the Eurovision stage."
Last year, Ireland finished in sixth place with an eye-catching performance by Bambie Thug and their song Doomsday Blue.
Sweden has been the favourite for a record eighth Eurovision win since February, with odds-on predictions becoming stronger last month. However, Austria's operatic entry has seen a surge in support, causing Sweden's odds to shift to 11/10, while Austria's odds shortened to 3/1. France is third in the betting, although their odds have drifted from 7/1 to 10/1.
If Sweden wins this year, they will surpass Ireland, holding the record for most Eurovision wins, currently tied at seven each. Sweden last won the contest in Liverpool just two years ago with Loreen's performance.
With hundreds of millions expected to tune in to one of the world's most-watched TV events, here's everything you need to know about how to watch Eurovision in Ireland.
The semi-finals will air on Tuesday and Thursday from 8pm to 10.15pm. Ireland will take part in Thursday's show. Each night, 15 acts will perform, but only 10 from each semi-final will advance to Saturday's Grand Final.
The final takes place on Saturday, May 17, from 8pm and will continue until just after midnight.
RTE will broadcast both semi-finals live on RTE2. Saturday's Grand Final will be shown on RTE One. You can also stream all the shows via the RTE Player or listen on RTE Radio 1.
No - Ireland will compete in the second semi-final on Thursday night as the third performer.
Sweden has remained the bookmakers' favourite for an eighth Eurovision win since February, with odds strengthening throughout last month. Austria's entry has gained momentum recently, pushing Sweden's odds to 11/10 and shortening Austria's to 3/1. France follows in third place, although their odds have slipped from 7/1 to 10/1.
As for the semi-finals, Ireland's Emmy is currently rated at 10/11 to qualify for Saturday's Grand Final.
Fifteen acts will compete tonight for ten places in Saturday's show tonight. Here's the running order:
Iceland - VÆB - RÓA
Poland - Justyna Steczkowska - GAJA
Slovenia - Klemen - How Much Time Do We Have Left
Estonia – Tommy Cash - Espresso Macchiato Spain - Melody - ESA DIVA
Ukraine - Ziferblat - Bird of Pray
Sweden - KAJ - Bara Bada Bastu
Portugal - NAPA - Deslocado
Norway - Kyle Alessandro - Lighter
Belgium - Red Sebastian - Strobe Lights Italy - Lucio Corsi - Volevo Essere Un Duro
Azerbaijan - Mamagama - Run With U
San Marino - Gabry Ponte - Tutta L'Italia
Albania - Shkodra Elektronike - Zjerm
Netherlands - Claude - C'est La Vie
Croatia - Marko Bošnjak - Poison Cake Switzerland - Zoë Më - Voyage
Cyprus - Theo Evan - Shh
Note: Italy, Spain and Switzerland automatically qualify for the Grand Final but will perform and vote in this semi-final.
Australia - Go-Jo - Milkshake Man
Montenegro - Nina Žižić - Dobrodošli
Ireland - EMMY - Laika Party
Latvia - Tautumeitas - Bur Man Laimi
Armenia - PARG - SURVIVOR
Austria - JJ - Wasted Love United Kingdom - Remember Monday - What The Hell Just Happened?
Greece - Klavdia - Asteromáta
Lithuania - Katarsis - Tavo Akys
Malta - Miriana Conte - SERVING
Georgia - Mariam Shengelia - Freedom France - Louane - maman
Denmark - Sissal - Hallucination
Czechia - ADONXS - Kiss Kiss Goodbye
Luxembourg - Laura Thorn - La Poupée Monte Le Son
Israel - Yuval Raphael - New Day Will Rise Germany - Abor & Tynna - Baller
Serbia - Princ - Mila
Finland - Erika Vikman - ICH KOMME
France, Germany and the UK automatically qualify for the final and will vote during this semi-final.
Emmy, Ireland's Eurovision 2025 representative, has promised a "bigger" production for her performance of Laika Party. The track, written with an Irish songwriter, helped her secure the public vote to represent Ireland earlier this year.
She said: "I would say this is like, it's a European Song Contest. I don't think it's about me. It's about the song. And the song is partly Irish because of the songwriter. And also, I think it's more about what song and what message the people of a country want to send, rather than who I am as a singer, you know."
When asked about what's next, she added: "So first we need to understand that this is actually happening, and then rehearse and plan. And you know, we will definitely try to keep the same vibe but maybe make it bigger, you know. So, yeah, we're really, really excited for these next few months."
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