Tonight’s the night: Producers behind the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will reveal the precise running order for each semi-final. You can watch the running order reveal live — in two parts — this evening on the Eurovision YouTube channel.
The Semi-Final 1 running order will be revealed from 20:00 CET. The Semi-Final 2 running order will premiere 10 minutes later at 20:10 CET. Scroll down to watch each video.
Ahead of that let us know your predictions: Who will open and close each semi-final? And who is going in the death slot — position #2?
Eurovision 2025: Semi-Final running order
As you’ll recall, the semi-final allocation draw took place in Basel back in January. The 31 semi-finalists were allocated to one of two semi-finals, taking place on 13 and 15 May. The ‘Big Five’ and host country Switzerland were also allocated to vote in one of the two semi-finals.
The semi-finalists were also drawn into either the first half or the second half of each semi-final. Producers have spent the past several weeks decided the precise position they will perform in within each half. Their thinking involves at least two very big factors.
First, how can they create the most interesting flow – both visually and sonically — given the plans that delegations have submitted to them? Second, what practical considerations must they take into account to ensure that the crew can safely and efficiently move props and acts off the stage and on?
Eurovision 2025: Semi-Final 1 Running Order
The BIG 5 and host countries will perform their songs in full — to give them a feel for the stage — but they don’t have to compete for qualification and the public cannot vote for them.
1. 🇮🇸 Iceland – Væb with “Róa”
2. 🇵🇱 Poland – Justyna Steczkowska with “Gaja”
3. 🇸🇮 Slovenia – Klemen with “How Much Time Do We Have Left”
4. 🇪🇪 Estonia – Tommy Cash with “Espresso Macchiato”
🇪🇸 Spain — Melody with “Esa Diva”
5. 🇺🇦 Ukraine – Ziferblat with “Bird of Pray”
6. 🇸🇪 Sweden – KAJ with “Bara bada bastu”
7. 🇵🇹 Portugal – Napa with “Deslocado”
8. 🇳🇴 Norway – Kyle Alessandro with “Lighter”
9. 🇧🇪 Belgium – Red Sebastian with “Strobe Lights”
🇮🇹 Italy — Lucio Corsi with “Volevo essere un duro”
10. 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan – Mamagama with “Run with U”
11. 🇸🇲 San Marino – Gabry Ponte with “Tutta l’Italia”
12. 🇦🇱 Albania – Shkodra Elektronike with “Zjerm”
13. 🇳🇱 Netherlands – Claude with “C’est la vie”
14. 🇭🇷 Croatia – Marko Bosnjak with “Poison Cake”
🇨🇭 Switzerland — Zoë Më with “Voyage”
15. 🇨🇾 Cyprus – Theo Evan with “Shh”
Eurovision 2025: Semi-Final 2 Running Order
1. 🇦🇺 Australia: Go-Jo with “Milkshake Man”
2. 🇲🇪 Montenegro: Nina Žižić with “Dobrodošli”
3. 🇮🇪 Ireland: Emmy with “Laika Party”
4. 🇱🇻 Latvia: Tautumeitas with “Bur man laimi”
5. 🇦🇲 Armenia: Parg with “Survivor”
6. 🇦🇹 Austria: JJ with “Wasted Love”
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Remember Monday with “What the Hell Just Happened?”
7. 🇬🇷 Greece: Klavdia with “Asteromata”
8. 🇱🇹 Lithuania: Katarsis with “Tavo akys”
9. 🇲🇹 Malta: Miriana Conte with “Serving”
10. 🇬🇪 Georgia: Mariam Shengelia with “Freedom”
🇫🇷 France: Louane with “Maman”
11. 🇩🇰 Denmark: Sissal with “Hallucination”
12. 🇨🇿 Czechia: Adonxs with “Kiss Kiss Goodbye”
13. 🇱🇺 Luxembourg: Laura Thorn with “La poupée monte le son”
14. 🇮🇱 Israel: Yuval Raphael with “New Day Will Rise”
🇩🇪 Germany: Abor & Tyne with “Baller”
15. 🇷🇸 Serbia: Princ with “Mila”
16. 🇫🇮 Finland: Erika Vikman with “Ich komme”
I think Sweden will win this year, and I will be happy if they do. The song makes people happy, and that´s what we all need right now.
I think it’s too soon for Sweden to win Eurovision again after only two years, but we’ll see what happens
I hope Ukraine will not qualify for the final for the 1st time because their song is really not good this year
Its Ukraine. They will qualify no matter what
The running order has nothing to say. If you have a great song, you will qualify, no matter if you perform as number 2 or number 16.
If you’re worried about certain countries qualifying or not because of where they were assigned in the running order, there is something you can do about it— vote! Don’t just throw hand up to think nothing can be done. You’ve got the power, provided you’re actually from a country competing in Eurovision this year and if you’re in the same semifinal as the country you are concerned about. But if you’re part of the rest of the world vote, you can vote twice that’s what I’m planning.
The days of this competition being a fair one is over it should all be decided by draws not producers from Sweden
Agree. EBU just want more and more control. and delegations for whatever reason agree and just follow.
It’s very strange Sweden 6 Austria is 6
This is complete fix. Both countries are the favourite to win very spicious
Sweden doesnt deserve to win with that song, to be honest.
I like it beter than Austria tbh, weak, cliché lyrics and not the most pleasant voice, Sweden’s song makes me happy.
Finland favored again, twice in 3 years! Two years ago, Finland also performed last in the semi-final, in 2023 Käärijä closed the semi-final. While we were still talking about fairness…
Justyna should be opening!
She’ll open the finals!
Funny enough the semi final is exactly on the same day as the show she opened 30 years ago . Since the producers put her in quite a weird second spot they could have just put her in first as that would be exactly 30 years later repeating history and would have made such a good story .
Noone would know that except some fans.
My OCD is triggered because why the hell aren’t the Big 5 and Switzerland evenly spread, making it 4-4-4-3 and 4-4-4-4? What’s the point of having Cyprus left out alone after Switzerland? It just looks so uneven to me, idk
Norway was drawn to preform in the second half of semifinal one. With the prequalified countries placed in between, Norway is now preforming as nr 9 out of 18 entries, in other words in the first half of the semifinal even though drawn in the second half.
That’s a really good point. The pre-qualified padding will make it easier to forget the earlier songs.
No. The prequalified countries have nothing to do with the countries in the semifinal. Don’t make a drama just because you are gay
Everyone who is gay should be proud of themselves. I’m not gay myself but I think it is sad that you use the word «gay» as a negative word. I’m fed up with the aggresive tensions here and am logging out for good. Take care everyone!
It´s the same as saying, you should be proud because you are a human. 😀 I don´t care what people are, but gay people just make drama out of everything.
Why all drama? A good song is a good song, regardless of where it starts. If people like it they will vote. If not they wont, regardless if it starts second or last.
A song’s sucess depends on how the artists present it and not on starting position. If you fail to connect then that is your fault and not the number
Word.
You won’t mind then if Sweden starts from place # 2 in the final
I know you probably are trolling since you seem to make every response about Sweden and how much they wind you up.
But no, if people like it they will vote for it. Imagine if it becomes the first act to win from number 2 spot? That would really grind your and the other anti Sweden engines:)
Last year, Ukraine performed as # 2 and came 3rd. So no. If you have a great song, it doesn´t matter if you perform as number 2 or number 26.
Usual criteria do not apply to Ukraine (or Isr*ael) for obvious reasons
And what about all the people who watch the first act, then tune out until later in the programme? Which always happens in reality TV contests. It doesn’t matter how good the song is if a good chunk of your televoters won’t even see it.
One of the many re caps?
I assume those are not ESC viewers, come the f*** on.
You peple think of the silliest theories…
They will vote on the song they like most, when they watch the summary of the songs.
Justyna opened 30 years ago, I just want history to repeat itself!
Number two… so close, and yet so far. 🙁
It looks like the geographical space that separates us
Exactly
There’s a lot of reading into running order. I don’t think it has that much of an impact on a song. If the song is good, people will vote, doesn’t matter where it goes. It just so happens the good songs often go middle or last to maximise viewership and audience vibes.
If you watch enough tele vote-based TV contest you’ll know how often those drawn in slots two and three end up losers, often unfairly.
I fully expected Ireland to open. Im guessing w means Australia has an Ice Cream van or something and the staging isn’t too naughty to be watched by kids
No Mr Whippy or 99s
How is Israel favourite to win the second semi final voting? The song isn’t strong enough so it has to be refugees and other means surely?
Because many still fall for their “we’re the good guys” propaganda.
In 2024 people who support Israel voted for the song regardless of quality; those that don’t support the country had to choose among 15 other songs. Plus a giant ad campaign that almost bought Eden the televote win. There’s a $1 million budget for 2025; it stands to reason they’re going to try and do the same.
The Israeli 2024 song and singer were really the best, if you’re not prejudice you must like it.
I think it was already happening in 2023, esc_fl. Noa Kirel performed impeccably but got way more votes that I was expecting.
Is Cyprus going to surprise us with the person behind the mask?
If you read beyond the lyrics, he makes reference to Aphrodita the Goddess of beauty, so my guess is there will be a statue of Aphrodite on stage with him…lol I don’t really know I don’t want to spoil but the more I think about it the more it seems plausible.
Not beyond but deeply…
In the video the song ending with flames, the surprice is Eleni Foureira maybe?
Yeah I see what you mean, yes it could be, but I don’t see the link between her and the lyrics… if she appears on stage only the Eurofans will get who she is, the casual viewers not at all. But why not if Cyprus wants to satisfy the die hard Eurofans, it could be a nice surprise.
Cyprus’ staging is by Sergio Jaen, the same that did last year’s Ireland staging… so I expect everything.
By the way, he is also staging Austria… so winner alert (even though it is not my favourite).
That’s why I said earlier that I prefer a rule where Singer, Songwriter and Stage director should be Citizens of the country they represent.
The staging alone wouldn’t have been enough, it was Bambi’s charisma in combination with the song.
Duft punk
Statistics on semi-finals openers and closers. SF1: * ICELAND (opener): Opened its semi-final also in 2008. Previously closed its semi-final in 2010 and 2006. Before there were no semi-finals, Iceland opened the show in 2003 and 1988; closed in 1997. * CYPRUS (closer): Closed its semi-final also in 2018. Previously opened its semi-finals in 2024, 2019 and the final in 2021. Before there were no semi-finals, Cyprus opened the show in 2002 and 1997. So in 1997 the situation was reversed: Cyprus opened and Iceland closed. SF2: * AUSTRALIA (opener) Australia has never opened the competition before. In 2023, it… Read more »
I dont think It is such a great idea to have Big 5 countries performing with the rest. I Guess commentators Will tell their audiences that they cannot vote for them because they are already qualified for the final and people not knowing what are the real reasons for this might turn against these countries thinking that they are automatically qualified just because It is France, Germany or UK.
I have to Dissagree. As an Australian who doesn’t want to wake up super early I like seeing the early so I can vote during the Grand Final based of the Semi Final performance which is why I think they Should open up voting early for competing countries as well not just the rest of the world voting. And I think its up to the Hosts and National Commentators to let everyone know that The Big 5 and Host Country is already qualified both when they perform and when its time to vote
Automatic qualification shoulld be banned asap. Only last years winner deserves a spot.
The Audience for Eurovision in Europe is about 150 million viewers, a year in which Spain, UK and Germany did not qualify there would be around 25 million people less watching the show. The sponsors would not be Happy.
I don’t care about the sponsors, I want a fair competition.
It would encourage them also to sent way better songs
And Spain, Italy and Switzerland too, but last year proved that it’s more helpful than the opposite, Italy and France were still top 10 last year so no I don’t think it’s a disadvantage at all, at least the big 5 has the same treatment and the same exposition as the others like that.
It always baffled me that the big five and host country never performed their songs in full before the grand final prior to 2024, only rehearsal snippets prior to the qualifications. I never felt fair to me that they would only get one shot in the ground final while everybody else got at least two if they made it to the final from the semifinals. While I’m still up in the air of having them actually perform within the running order instead of During the interval when the voting is happening, I like this change actually. It feels like one… Read more »
You’re right it was more than necessary to make this change, but I think the big 5 has an advantage to be in the Grand Final already so this kind of disadvantage to not be more exposed, balanced the thing a bit. Now more exposition or not, the casual viewers will discover all the finalists for the first time during the Grand Final, so it’s not so important in fact. Look in 2021 2 big5 countries were at the top without having performed in the semis. I think Ebu with this change wanted to put all the countries on an… Read more »
And we were treated to the UK “choreography”twice. What was he thinking.
Twice the pleasure for Olly and his dancers at least! If you see what I mean 😉
I’m always conflicted about whether the running order is something that really matters in the end. Most songs will stand out no matter what, as they are usually placed before and after one that doesn’t have the same vibe.
A good song will always qualify for the final no matter what, but I can also understand the argument that if a song is a borderline qualifier, then a good running order might matter? I don’t know. Just some thoughts.
Anyway for Sissal – song 11 in semifinal 2 🙂
Anyway vote for Sissal*
Oh I will trust me! And not only once 😉
omg why do you want me to trust you?
Why not?
idk but what do you want me to trust? I dont get it :(((
That I will vote for Sissal and several times!
I absolutely love you for that. thank yoouuu!!
You’re welcome!
Fully intend to do so and looking forward to seeing her in Amsterdam next week. So pleased that Denmark are back in the game.
lets get her in the final
I do agree that a good song can Qualify no matter where it is in the running order especially given Qualifying isn’t a Particularly high bar when only 11 of 31 countries miss out. But I do think for those that are border line Qualifier/Non-Qualifier a later running order might be the difference between Qualifying and Not Qualifying
Last year Ukraine proves running order doesn’t matter if your song is strong.
Off-topic maybe, But JJ is MUCH better than Nemo. By 7863 miles. How dare people compare Wasted Love to that freakysong by Nemo?
JJ is more similar to Gjons Tears or La Forza.
That is a matter of taste when it comes to the song. And if you’re talking about technic, what prompts you to DARE saying what you said ?
The technique and message doesn’t help a very annoying song like The Code. Just my opinion sure
The Code was more entertaining with great message imo. Wasted Love feels more manufactured for Eurovision. Dramatic song to please juries, those high notes are there to wow people, they have put som technobeats at the end to please those that are not into opera. And to spice it up, a drama going on in the music video as well. He will not be able to sing with water in his mouth and will not be able to sing with all those movements he makes. Opera singing is a technique that almost demands you to stand still to gain support… Read more »
Forgot to mention. The ending of Wasted Love is like a computer singing..
There’s no water allowed on stage anyway
Yeah, missleading..
Spain had water, can’t remember what year, or am I misstaking..
Ruth Lorenzo, Dancing in the rain
It is allowed, Greece had water on stage in 2017 for ex, others examples don’t come to my mind right now, but there are others examples I’m sure.
Spain had a staging in 2010’s with water too if I remember well…
Ireland, Jedward in 2012
True!!
That’s why I haven’t bothered to listen to it. Having heard a snippet, The Code came straight to mind. Plus “manufactured for Eurovision” is a Non from me.
What’s more shocking how is the big five when this contest decided by producers it should all be done by a fair draw even the big final. Football has decided by a fair draw more corrupted ever before
My only wtf moment was France after Georgia.
Yeah I don’t think the second semi final has been organised as well
I squirmed when I saw Germany and Is*rael back to back
I might read too much into it, but I think they re trying to help malta and denmark qualifying (2 countries struggling lately). 2 sad songs before and after malta (that s a lot) et 2 slow songs before denmark, 1 slowish after. Both will definitely wake up the arena and stand out in the récap no matter the way the do it (from 16th to 1st or 1st to 16th).
If i am correct, i m glad they do it. Both countries deserve the Q imo
Also, I don’t really understand all this drama…
Some fans just live to be drama llamas.
Such a suitable image ! Llamas spit on everything, this suits very well drama haters.
Because a lot of us are gay and we love drama haha ?
Trying to figure out toilet/snack breaks hmmm…
SF1! Estonia and Belgium are pretty close to one another, so I think I’m gonna go with Belgium after all as I’m sure that’ll be one seisure inducing performance (another health hazard is Cyprus, but it’s at the end).
SF2! I think I’ll use Georgia as a toilet break…and then wait until after Luxembourgh to slice myself some yummy watermelon.
Yeah, that sounds about right.
Can I watch the shows with you? I’m all for those watermelon breaks! <3
I’ll join! Watermelon’s one of my favorite fruits and candy flavors
The more, the merrier!
Watermelons are just the best! 🙂
You sure can! *highfive*
What’s the issue with the EBU and Malta’s running order?
2019 Final – Song #1
2021 Final – Song #6
2023 Semifinal – Song #2
2024 Semifinal – Song #1
Now, despite Malta being in the second half of the semifinal they’re placed first?
I hope they get a better spot if they make it to the final.
I’m pretty sure that this year they were trying to separate Australia, Malta and Finland as much as possible. You know – the “naughty” songs.
And Malta after Greece/Lithuania, before Georgia/France is in a GREAT spot !
I think that 12th is a great spot for Zjerm. After all the solo male singers, Skodra ELEKTRONIKE will be ready to SHNDRIT!
Either Portugal or Slovenia will be the surprise qualifier “no one” was expecting, a bit like Latvia last year.
I hope Slovenia will qualify. Nice song.
Me too
i think serbia will qualify
Relax guys, running order is not that important in the semis. If you can’t make it being at least 10th out of 15, trust me it’s not the running order it’s your song. Yeah it changes the game for someone in the 10th and 11th position but that’s it.
Random thought — At least we know for sure Finland will not be able to climax again,….oooops meant close, at the Grand Final.
Love that pun
Aweful running order…doesn’t make sense at all. Why are they squeezing in 2 automatic qualifiers in second half of the running order – they are intentionally making at least 1 song from second half ending up in first half instead. And of course Christer Björkman does his best to f*** over Norway once again… this show has a horrible flow now. Why put Poland already at number 2 spot, one of 2 female contestants in this semi. Trying his best to f over Poland as well that is for sure.
You are embarrassing.
You are such a drama Queen!
That’s a lot of waste! How about joining KAJ and just enyoy a sauna?
I predicted Iceland to open SF1 and Finland to close SF2…
Yet, Poland in 2nd is another odd attempt after last year’s Ukraine in the final, but if the outcome would be similiar (like for Ukraine), I’ll be fine with that 2 slot 🙂
But I’m not so sure with Montenegro in SF2… -that may be another cursed outcome here.
And you know what? Australia may be out too…
I can’t wait to see the live performances!!! Haha…. another year… again. Hahaha.
As almost every year we Belgians seem to get overlooked…Not a good spot for RS
Poland will survive the death slot. Happy about Finland closing the semi. Australia seems like a great opening act. Good that the producers placed Belgium and Cyprus far away from each other. Overall this is a great running order. Montenegro, Portugal and Slovenia are certain ‘outs’ I would say.
Portugal won’t be out, it’s one of the few acts these where the singer looks like they are enjoying what they are doing. Televotes will respond.
Poland qualified from the death slot before in 2016!
For me by far the most interesting thing of these running orders is the placement of Cyprus. Semi-finals tend to close with something memorable and this means that Cyprus has an amazing staging in store for us. I always considered San Marino as the perfect closer due to the infectious energy of the song, but it remains to be seen anyways if what worked for the domestic Italian market will also have the same appeal on a European scale. Poland on second place was unexpected. The diaspora usually helps them through but that’s not always the case as we saw… Read more »
San Marino is the only feel-good entry in the 2nd half.
Producers need that joy and happiness in the middle to keep the audience in a good mood.
It was the same with Belgium 2023, but in that case as opener, and they had to put it in the middle as well.
Poland qualified in 2016 from the death spot and achieved the best Polish result since 2003. Justyna will be fine. 😉
Maybe, but you still got to vote for Poland if you want it to make it through to the final. Don’t take things for granted.
Yes, I made that mistake last year
Both Sweden and Austria 6th in their semifinals. They really want them back to back.
Ok! So semi 1: I don’t get why Poland is second after Iceland it doesn’t make sense to me, Slovenia, Portugal, Ukraine and Switzerland will stand out, surprised to see Switzerland so late but I get the strategy, to keep locals watching it until the end. Cyprus closing is a surprise, it can help them. Semi 2: I don’t get why Milkshake man opens it makes no sense to me. Montenegro could have been later to help them a bit but between Australia she will stand out, such as Greece. Malta is too early imo. Why Georgia and after France… Read more »
I was happily surprised to see Australia opening. It’s a retro disco funky song – it’s likely it will be staged super fun setting a great mood for the show!!!
Ok it will be a great opener, I like him and the song but it’s a bit daring to open a family show with it.
Malta draws Second Half yet is given first possible starting place. Seems unfair that Finland given last place only after just one year. They could have switched them around.
That’s what I think too, you’re right.
It doesn’t matter really becauce they will both qualify. And then Malta will have maybe a better slot at final.
Good point but it will depend if they draw 1st half or 2nd half.
Probably. But following 3 NQs in a row from the first half, it wouldn’t have killed the EBU to give them the last position instead of to their mates from a powerhouse. It’s the optics of it.
UK right after Austria, is that going to subconsciously ruined Austria’s chances to qualify?
Will make Austria seem even better…
Fair,
That UK song is zero threat to Austria …
Or maybe they will be so charming that people forget Austria.
No chance of JJ being forgotten!
Kidding.
But they still can be charming.
Luxembourg returns – give them the best spot in their semi
Montenegro returns – oh that’s cute
Why are the smaller countries specifically the ones with budget constraints always the most hurt.
Apart form this i think Semi 2 was much better assorted than Semi 1 but I don’t give blame to anyone as I believe it is the weaker of the two
It was certainly different than how I predicted, but I think I like how semifinal two is organized.
If it wasn’t Montenegro, you’d be complaining about some other country stuck in number two. Somebody has to be there.
Yes, talk about predictable. Welcome back, here’s a slap in the face for you. They could have put Greece there.
I actually placed Greece in number 2 in my prediction, but I figured it was going to be later.
Portugal has been served up a huge dish of Swedish memory hole death.
you never know the shift in pace might benefit them greatly. If we have learn anything from Portugal is they know how to create an atmosphere
Maro performed after Moldova in 2022 (big televote) and Portugal went well with public vote.
Contrast is not a bad thing
That song was of much superior quality and ambience .
Televote only:
Black mamba ??
Mímicat ??
Iolanda ??
With all of this: “for sure NQ…” like, mhmhhh
NQ for me of semi 1: slovenia; croatia; azerbeijan; iceland and san marino…
Depending on the stage would swap one or two with Belgium(the one i like the most of this bunch) and possibly cyprus.
Well, these are very surprising. Some of them I’m like “right on” and others I’m like “that’s a choice.”
Finland got Käärijä-treatment.
To be honest, I was expecting it to close out the show and I’m not surprised that it is the closer
Placing Israel before Germany is very fair to the next competing act of the semifinal because there won’t be any dry eyes in the world watching the show!!! The artistry and the impact of the performance of “New Day Will Rise” should be groundbre aking!!!
Three minutes of uninterrupted overwhelming pride for me for sure, carrying on from the moment I felt how beautiful and impactful the song will be!
Go away with your Propaganda song..
NURSE!
Brave putting those two back to back
Believe me I won’t shed a tear for that song
The toilet break.
Crying from laughter after reading this.
Music-wise, It’s a good song, pleasant for sure, winning material a ‘no’, but all I can think of is the word ‘awkward’.
Sergio must have come up with some *insane* staging for Cyprus
I bet it’s gonna involve a big black box like we see in the music video
That was my first thought also when I saw Cyprus closing
This running order feels a bit weird to me for reasons I can’t yet pinpoint
I feel so bad for Montenegro :/
Montenegro and Portugal cooked once and for all. Slovenia might have a chance now after circus acts like Iceland and Poland, it will be a fresh air of something meaningful, casuals will like it.
I wasn’t expecting my predictions to be anywhere close to the real running orders, but I didn’t expect to be so far off that I can only count on one hand the countries I put down correctly.
montenegro returns just to get buried in the running order
Interesting Order. I think the death slot is 3 this year. Ireland and Slovenia are not in good places.
Semi 1 – I think Portugal and Slovenia are gone. Azerbaijan might have been saved with Italy as a palate cleanser. Cyprus closing is interesting, they might be planning something big.
Semi 2 – Ireland might be drowned out by the two very interesting songs either side of them. Armania is going to struggle, Lithuania between two big hitters is a big problem for them. Denmark might be saved though as its a tone changer. Iceland will make you forget Serbia 100%
On the contrary, I think it’s a great spot for Lithuania to stand out. We’ll see what happens on the night.
I think Lithuania going after Greece’ energy helps. It set ups the tone for them and the audience will be in the right mood for Katarsis
They’re also in the middle of a string of female voices, so that could make it stand out. It feels very generous, cause I was dreading it was gonna be very early in the running order.