The 68th edition of Eurovision is in full swing with its pre-season packed with updates, including representative announcements, pre-selections, and complete submissions from countries like France and Czechia. One of the highlights is set for January 30, and we’re not referring to the first semi-final of the 2024 Benidorm Fest but rather the draw for the Eurovision 2024 semifinals.
In this draw, 31 out of the current 37 participating countries will learn which of the two semifinals they will be part of. One semifinal will feature 15 participants, while the other will have 16, making one “easier” as only five songs will miss out compared to six in the other.
What is the Eurovision Semifinal Draw?
Due to the impossibility of hosting a Grand Final with 37 songs, the EBU devised a system with two semifinals. The top ten countries from each semifinal, exclusively voted on by the public, secure a spot in the Grand Final. This final is complemented by the BIG 5 countries + host, those that contribute the most financially to the EBU and thus have a guaranteed spot in the final, resulting in a final with 26 participants.
The allocation of countries into different pots is based on their voting patterns, ensuring a diverse combination each year. The supervision of this separation is carried out by Executive Producer Martin Österdahl and Reference Group President Bakel Walden, ensuring fairness and transparency.
Additionally, the BIG 5 comes into play in this semifinal draw, with the countries once again drawing the semifinal in which they will cast their votes. Two countries will vote in one semifinal, and three will vote in the other.
“United by Music”: Music Unites Europe in Difficult Times
In the previous edition of Eurovision, the British and Ukrainian public broadcasters chose the simple slogan “United by Music” for the contest, emphasizing the power of music and Eurovision to bring Europe and the world together during times of war and hardship.
For the 2024 edition, the Swedish broadcaster, following the slogan’s success, has agreed with the Eurovision Reference Group to continue using it. Furthermore, a decision within the Reference Group has been made to permanently incorporate this slogan into the contest’s global brand strategy starting from this edition.
Road to Eurovision 2024
The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest promises to be a celebration of music and diversity, with a special tribute to ABBA, a group that made history in Eurovision and pop music. The upcoming edition will see the confirmed return of Luxembourg after a 30-year absence from the festival.
Sweden is one of the most successful countries in Eurovision, boasting a total of seven victories, tying with Ireland as the most successful nations in the contest. In addition to ABBA and Loreen winning twice, other Swedish winners include Herreys, Carola, Charlotte Nilsson, and Måns Zelmerlöw.