How to watch Eurovision Song Contest 2023
| Semi Final 1: Tuesday, May 9 at 9pm CEST |
| Semi Final 2: Thursday, May 11 at 9pm CEST |
| Grand Final: Saturday, May 13 at 9pm CEST |
| Free live stream: BBC iPlayer (UK) | SBS (AU) |
| Stream elsewhere: Peacock TV (US) |
| Watch anywhere: Stream from anywhere with ExpressVPN |
Watch Eurovision Song Contest 2023: preview
The 67th Eurovision Song Contest is almost upon us where, once again, twenty-six countries will take part in the Grand Final. Bringing together the historic musical offering of Liverpool with an array of Ukrainian artists, too, the slogan of this year's Eurovision is "United by music", symbolizing the coming together of two countries in the face of a war-torn Ukraine. 2023 will certainly put itself on the map as one of the most iconic years of the song contest, and we explain how to watch Eurovision online from anywhere and stream both the Semi and Grand Final, with the second Semi Final happening this Thursday.
As host countries, both the United Kingdom and Ukraine are confirmed entrants in the Final of Eurovision with their acts Mae Muller and Tvorchi. Germany, France, Italy, and Spain were also included in the line-up by default due to their significant financial contributions to the EBU.
Ukraine's Tvorchi are an electronic music duo who will be performing "Heart of Steel", while Mae Muller picks up the mantel from Sam Rhyder this year with her pop banger "I Wrote a Song".
Now having officially qualified for the Grand Final, Sweden's Loreen (who previously took part in Eurovision in 2012) is currently the firm favorite to win with her song "Tattoo". Last year's winning country, Ukraine, also has a claim in the odds, alongside Finland's act Käärijä with "Cha Cha Cha".
Find all the information you need on this year's Eurovision Song Contest and how to watch both the second Semi Final and the main event on May 13 below.
Eurovision Semi Final Group 2
- Denmark
- Armenia
- Romania
- Estonia
- Belgium
- Cyprus
- Iceland
- Greece
- Poland
- Slovenia
- Georgia
- San Marino
- Austria
- Albania
- Lithuania
- Australia
Watch Eurovision Song Contest 2023 online in the UK
The Eurovision Grand Final will be broadcast live from Liverpool on free-to-air TV Channel BBC One at 8pm BST on Saturday, May 13. But don't forget you can also tune into the two Semi Final shows on May 9 and 11 at 8pm BST, too.
BBC One is a free-to-air channel, though you'll need a valid TV licence. You can also watch a Eurovision live stream through BBC iPlayer (opens in new tab) across a number of devices, as well as being the place to watch on catch-up.
It's free to sign-up for a BBC account. All you need is an email address and a UK postcode (e.g. SW1A 1AA) and a valid TV licence.
Abroad? Use a VPN using the instructions below to access BBC iPlayer like you would at home.
How to watch Eurovision Song Contest from anywhere
If you're a UK citizen on vacation or working overseas, you can still watch Eurovision just as you would at home.
While BBC iPlayer is for licence fee-paying Brits and blocks access from IP addresses outside of the UK, there's a handy piece of software called a VPN which can change your IP address to make it look like you're accessing streaming services from any country in the world.
For example, UK citizens in the States can subscribe to a VPN, join a UK based server and tune into all the programmes on BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world, just like you would back home.
(opens in new tab)Step-by-step of streaming with a VPN:
1. Choose a VPN and install it - our go-to recommendation is ExpressVPN (opens in new tab)
2. Connect to a server - for BBC iPlayer, for example, you'll want to connect to a server based in the UK
3. Go to the live stream you wish to access - for Eurovision, head to BBC iPlayer (opens in new tab)
How to watch Eurovision Song Contest in free Australia
Australia are hoping that Perth prog-metal band Voyager will earn their place in the Eurovision Song Contest, and those Down Under will be able to watch live and for free through SBS—though you'll have a very early start of 5am AEST for both Semi Final shows (Wednesday, May 10 and Friday, May 12) as well as the Grand Final on Sunday, May 14.
You can also watch live through any device on its streaming service, SBS On Demand (opens in new tab), with the option to watch back there too, or catch a rerun at 7.30pm AEST that evening.
Happen to be out of the country and want to access your free home stream? Use a VPN to watch SBS On Demand from anywhere (opens in new tab).
Watch Eurovision in the US
Once again, NBC owned streaming service Peacock will be broadcasting Eurovision in the States, allowing Americans to take in the spectacle across all lives shows, including the two Semi Finals on Tuesday, May 9 and Thursday, May 11, as well as the Grand Final on Saturday, May 13. All will air live at 3pm ET / 12pm PT. For the second year in a row, Olympic figure skate Johnny Weir, and self-confessed Eurovision super fan, will commentate.
Peacock subscriptions start from just $4.99 a month (opens in new tab), with the option to go commercial free from $9.99 a month. You can also save 17% by opting for the annual plan (opens in new tab).
A Brit abroad in the States? Use a VPN to access BBC iPlayer for free from abroad (opens in new tab).
Watch Eurovision in Canada
Unfortunately, up north in Canada there hasn't been an official broadcaster of the Eurovision Song Contest for some time.
However, Americans residing in Canada can always port themselves back home with a VPN to access their Peacock TV account (opens in new tab).
Who will compete in the Eurovision Final?
While 37 countries take part in Eurovision, only 26 take part in the Eurovision Grand Final. With one semi final down and the second to take place on Thursday, the following countries have confirmed places in the Final on May 13.
- Finland: Käärijä with "Cha Cha Cha"
- France: La Zarra with "Évidemment"
- Italy: Marco Mengoni with "Due Vite"
- Portugal: Mimicat with "Ai Coração"
- Serbia: Luke Black with "Samo Mi Se Spava"
- Sweden: Loreen with "Tattoo"
- Switzerland: Remo Forrer with "Watergun"
- Croatia: Let 3 with "Mama ŠČ!"
- Czechia: Vesna with "My Sister's Crown"
- Germany: Lord of the Lost with "Blood & Glitter"
- Israel: Noa Kirel with "Unicorn"
- Moldova: Pasha Parfeni with "Soarele şi Luna"
- Norway: Alessandra with "Queen of Kings"
- Ukraine: TVORCHI with "Heart of Steel"
- United Kingdom: Mae Muller with "I Wrote a Song"
The UK and Ukraine automatically have a place in the Grand Final as host country and winner of last year's Song Contest. France, Italy, Spain, and Germany are also automatically included due to their financial contributions to the EBU.
What country will Eurovision 2023 take place?
Usually following the protocol of the winning country hosting the following year, Ukraine was set to be the host for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest after its entrant Kalush Orchestra took home the crown last year with their song "Stefania".
However, given the ongoing unrest in Ukraine following Russia's invasion, it was later decided the UK would host following Sam Ryder's "SPACE MAN" coming runner-up in 2022, with Liverpool announced as the host city in October 2022 after winning the bid against Glasgow.
Can I still get Eurovision tickets?
Tickets were made available to the general public for nine available live shows, including both Semi Finals and the Grand Final itself on Saturday, May 13.
A second wave was released on Monday, April 24 at 1pm CEST, though these have largely sold out now.
All tickets are being sold directly through Ticketmaster with prices ranging between £30 and £380.
Those displaced from Ukraine have the opportunity to submit an application to enter the ballet of tickets (opens in new tab).
How is Liverpool preparing for Eurovision?
Liverpool is in full swing getting ready for more than 100,000 visitors about to stampede on the city home to The Beatles. With Eurovision 2023 taking place at the M&S Bank Arena in Pier Head, posters, buses, and even trains have been decorating the city with the 'United by Music' slogan.
🚉 | 🚌 Earlier today @MetroMayorSteve unveiled a special @Eurovision new train and bus, as eyes of the world turn to Liverpool.Look out for the train on the @merseyrail network and the buses as we gear up for the iconic event!More info 👉 https://t.co/zrWtyL7Pfp#Eurovision pic.twitter.com/8EkYOsxrTnApril 24, 2023
As well as public transport getting a makeover, events including live music and other workshops are being run to celebrate the lead up to the Eurovision Grand Final, including silent discos, flower crown making, and dance classes, as detailed in this line-up shared by Twitter user Pete.
Ahead of his official coronation, King Charles III was also involved in the preparation for the Song Contest, officially unveiling the set on April 26. He's also on record for telling the UK's entrant, Mae Muller, that he would be "egging her on". Don't worry, that's just a British way of saying he's rooting for her.
Who is hosting the Eurovision Song Contest?
Brits will be used to the sarcastic commentary of national treasure Graham Norton during every Eurovision Song Contest. However, with the 67th Eurovision taking place in the UK, Graham Norton will be in front of the camera this year for the Grand Final, joining forces with Hannah Waddingham (a familiar face particularly to Ted Lasso fans), Alesha Dixon, and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina.
Eurovision participating artists and countries:
- Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi with "Duje"
- Armenia: Brunette with "Future Lover"
- Australia: Voyage with "Promise"
- Austria: Teya & Salena with "Who the Hell is Edgar?"
- Azerbaijan: TuralTuranX with "Tell Me More"
- Belgium: Gustaph with "Because of You"
- Croatia: Let 3 with "Mama ŠČ!"
- Cyprus: Andrew Lambrou with "Break a Broken Heart"
- Czechia: Vesna with "My Sister's Crown"
- Denmark: Reiley with "Breaking My Heart"
- Estonia: Alika with "Bridges"
- Finland: Käärijä with "Cha Cha Cha"
- France: La Zarra with "Évidemment"
- Georgia: Iru with "Echo"
- Germany: Lord of the Lost with "Blood & Glitter"
- Greece: Victor Vernicos with "What They Say"
- Iceland: Dilja with "Power"
- Ireland: Wild Youth with "We Are One"
- Israel: Noa Kirel with "Unicorn"
- Italy: Marco Mengoni with "Due Vite"
- Latvia: Sudden Lights with "Aijā"
- Lithuania: Monika Linkytė with "Stay"
- Malta: The Busker with "Dance (Our Own Party)"
- Moldova: Pasha Parfeni with "Soarele şi Luna"
- Netherlands: Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper with "Burning Daylight"
- Norway: Alessandra with "Queen of Kings"
- Poland: Blanka with "Solo"
- Portugal: Mimicat with "Ai Coração"
- Romania: Theodor Andrei with "D.G.T (Off and On)"
- San Marino: Piqued Jacks with "Like An Animal"
- Serbia: Luke Black with "Samo Mi Se Spava"
- Slovenia: Joker Out with "Carpe Diem"
- Spain: Blanca Paloma with "Eaea"
- Sweden: Loreen with "Tattoo"
- Switzerland: Remo Forrer with "Watergun"
- Ukraine: TVORCHI with "Heart of Steel"
- United Kingdom: Mae Muller with "I Wrote a Song"
