Which countries automatically qualify for Eurovision? The Big Five explained

A number of countries, including the UK, have already guaranteed their spot in the song contest’s grand final

The Eurovision Song Contest final in 2023

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Ten nations have qualified from the first Eurovision semi-final to make the grand final in Malmo, Sweden on Saturday.

For six other countries, it was a swansong on Tuesday night as they did not pick up enough votes to progress in the 2024 competition.

And it will be a similar fare on Thursday night when 16 other nations try to sing for their place in the final - with 10 progressing and six going home.

The final will contain 26 nations. Yes, that’s right - and not our terrible Maths, as six nations have already been awarded a bye to the final.

Luckily for Olly Alexander, Great Britain is one of those. But why do some nations get advanced through the first round?

As British fans will tell you, it can’t always be on talent alone.

Irish singer-songwriter Bambie Ray Robinson, aka Bambie Thug representing Ireland with the song Doomsday Blue

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Which countries automatically qualify for Eurovision?

The UK, France, Spain, Germany, and Italy are known as The Big Five and automatically qualify for the final.

These countries’ broadcasters make the biggest financial contribution towards the contest, and so automatically get to compete.

These nations are joined by the host nation’s entrant. In 2024, this will be Sweden as the Nordic nation won the 2023 contest courtesy of Loreen.

Marcus & Martinus will represent the host nation. Germany are pinning their hopes on Isaak, the French have Slimane, Italy - winners in 2021 - have Angelina Mango, Spain are represented by Nebulossa.

Making the final is not, however, a suggestion of success as Britain came second last in 2023 - beating only fellow auto-qualifiers Germany in the final.

Which countries are competing in 2024?

As for everyone else, it’s the same as last year but for Luxembourg re-entering Eurovision for the first time since 1993. Romania dropped out this time, meaning there are 37 entries.

Who qualified from the first Eurovision semi-final?

The ten countries that made it through are:

Serbia / TEYA DORA - RAMONDA

Portugal / iolanda - Grito

Slovenia / Raiven - Veronika

Ukraine / alyona alyona & Jerry Heil - Teresa & Maria

Lithuania / Silvester Belt - Luktelk

Finland / Windows95man - No Rules!

Cyprus / Silia Kapsis - Liar

Croatia / Baby Lasagna - Rim Tim Tagi Dim

Ireland / Bambie Thug - Doomsday Blue

Luxembourg / TALI - Fighter

Who failed to qualify from the first Eurovision semi-final?

It is goodbye to:

Poland / Luna - The Tower

Iceland / Hera Bjork - Scared of Heights

Moldova / Natalia Barbu - In the Middle

Azerbaijan / Fahree and Ilkin Dovlatov - Ozunle Apar

Australia / Electric Fields - One Milkali (One Blood)

Who is in the second semi-final?

Ten more nations will qualify from Thursday’s semi-final, which will be shown on the BBC, with six also departing at this stage. The final is on BBC One on Saturday.

Malta / Sarah Bonnici - Loop

Albania / BESA - TITAN

Greece / Marina Satti - ZARI

Switzerland / Nemo - The Code

Czechia / Aiko - Pedestal

Austria / Kaleen - We Will Rave

Denmark / SABA - SAND

Armenia / LADANIVA - Jako

Latvia / Dons - Hollow

San Marino / MEGARA - 11:11

Georgia / Nutsa Buzaladze - Firefighter

Belgium / Mustii - Before The Party's Over