Everything you need to know about Eurovision 2024 from dates, hosts and how the UK is expected to do-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Sweden next month (Picture: Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/Shutt)

It’s not long to go until the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest kicks off in Malmo, Sweden.

The contest is being held in the Nordic country after singer Loreen took out the win in Liverpool last year with her song Tattoo.

More than 100,000 fans are expected to flock to the city, while more than 160 million are expected to be watching on from home.

Flying the flag for the UK is Olly Alexander, whose odds to win are steadily improving.

From May 7-11, another 36 acts will be taking to the stage alongside him too.

Ahead of the event, here’s a run-down of the most important details to know and embrace the buzz of the biggest song contest in the world!

When is Eurovision 2024 happening?

The 2024 Eurovision grand final will take place on Saturday, May 11, with the semi-finals being held on Tuesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 9.

There will be 37 countries competing (Picture: Laurie Dieffembacq/Belga/AFP via Getty Images)

A total of 37 countries will be competing in this year’s contest, six of which automatically qualified for the final.

These six are last year’s winners Sweden, along with the ‘Big 5’ of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.

The other countries will compete in the semi-finals for a place in the grand final, with the top 10 from each semi-final qualifying.

This year will also mark Luxembourg returning to the contest 31 years after its last participation in 1993, while Romania has opted not to participate.

Where is it being held?

The event will be hosted in the city of Malmo, which won the bidding against Stockholm and Gothenburg.

This will be the seventh time Sweden has hosted the contest (Picture: Getty Images/Image Source)

It will be the seventh time Sweden has hosted the contest, having previously done so in 1975, 1985, 1992, 2000, 2013, and 2016.

The main venue is the 15,500-seat Malmö Arena.

Who are the presenters?

The three live Eurovision shows will be presented by Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman, with the former having previously taken on the role in 2013 and 2016.

Petra, 54, is a Swedish comedian, dancer, actress, and television presenter.

She hosted Eurovision 2013 in Malmö and Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm, with Måns Zelmerlöw and also has her own programme, the Petra Mede Show.

Joining her is Malin, 45, a Swedish-born actress known for her roles in hit Hollywood movies including The Heartbreak Kid and 27 Dresses.

When their announcement as hosts was made, Malin said she ‘can’t really describe my feelings about this’.

‘I am very excited and a little nervous, but in a positive way. I have always liked Eurovision and to be a part of this fantastic show together with Petra is a dream come true. Additionally, Petra is one of the funniest women I’ve ever met,’ she said.

Who is the UK’s entry?

Representing the UK this year is Olly Alexander, who has already found global success as the frontman of band Years & Years, who have had three successful albums (two of which hit number 1 in the UK album chart) and 10 UK top 40 singles.

Olly Alexander is representing the UK (Picture: Joseph Okpako/WireImage)

However, he’s now striking out on his own, with his appearance at Eurovision marking his first solo venture.

Olly co-wrote his Eurovision entry Dizzy with Danny L Harle, who also co-wrote and produced Dua Lipa’s Houdini.

He previously explained how the song was ‘about feeling such an intense swell of emotion for someone they totally turn your world upside down and inside out’.

The performer has also appeared on screen, starring in Russell T Davies’ It’s A Sin, a brilliant and devastating drama about a group of friends living under the shadow of the AIDS crisis, which won a National Television Award.

How to watch

All three live programmes – both Semi-Finals and the Grand Final – will once again be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Graham Norton is hosting the BBC coverage of the Grand Final (Picture: PA)

The Semi-Finals will take place on May 7 and 9 with the Grand Final on Saturday, May 11.

The Semi-Finals will be hosted by commentators Scott Mills and Rylan and each air from 8pm on their respective days.

Rylan Clark and Scott Mills will host the two Semi-Finals (Picture: BBC/Getty/Eurovision)

The Grand Final, which will be hosted by Graham Norton, will air at 8pm on the Saturday.

Over on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, Richie Anderson will be taking the reins for the first time and will be leading the commentary on the airwaves.

What are the latest odds?

Two weeks ahead of the contest, Switzerland is currently the favourite to win this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

They are followed by Croatia, the Netherlands, Italy, Ukraine, Israel, France, Greece and Ireland, with the UK rounding out the top 10.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 will be broadcast on the BBC.

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