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Eurovision 2023 semi-finals: the countries going head-to-head and how to watch

Seren Morris
·2-min read
The new Eurovision branding, which was unveiled on Tuesday (BBC/PA)
The new Eurovision branding, which was unveiled on Tuesday (BBC/PA)

The 2023 Eurovision semi-final draw has taken place, with the competing countries allocated either the first or second spot in the last four.

Taking place just days before the Eurovision Song Contest final, the semi-finals will determine which countries will compete for the top prize in Liverpool.

Thirty-one countries will compete, but only 10 from each group will make it to the final.

The UK, as the host country and Ukraine, as the reigning champions, will not compete and are through to the final. This is the same for France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, as members of the “Big 5,” along with the UK.

There will therefore be 26 countries competing in the grand final.

But until then, which countries are performing in the semi-finals and when?

Eurovision semi-final allocations

Hosts Rylan Clark and AJ Odudu allocated the semi-final slots on January 31. The lineups were determined by randomly drawing countries from six pots (based on historical voting patterns).

The Royal Liver Building in Liverpool, the venue for the 2023 contest (PA Wire)
The Royal Liver Building in Liverpool, the venue for the 2023 contest (PA Wire)

Eurovision semi-final 1

The first half:

  • Serbia

  • Latvia

  • Ireland

  • Norway

  • Portugal

  • Croatia

  • Malta

The second half:

  • Sweden

  • Moldova

  • Switzerland

  • Israel

  • Netherlands

  • Finland

  • Azerbaijan

  • Czech Republic

France, Germany, and Italy can vote during this semi-final.

How to throw the ultimate Eurovision party at home

Just follow these 8 easy steps...: (JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images )
Just follow these 8 easy steps...: (JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images )
Step 1: Set a dress code:
Step 1: Set a dress code:
Step 2: Flags, Flags and more Flags: Decorations are obviously a must, but you don’t have to worry, it’s pretty simple – flags! Flags on doors, walls, windows and even in your food and drinks. Any country that has a space in the grand final deserves a space in your house. (Bernard / imageBROKER/REX/Shutterstock)
Step 2: Flags, Flags and more Flags: Decorations are obviously a must, but you don’t have to worry, it’s pretty simple – flags! Flags on doors, walls, windows and even in your food and drinks. Any country that has a space in the grand final deserves a space in your house. (Bernard / imageBROKER/REX/Shutterstock)
Step 3: Swedish Drinks Only:
Step 3: Swedish Drinks Only:
Step 4: Play drinking Games: With all these drinks involved, of course there needs to be a Eurovision-themed drinking game? Take a ‘responsible’ sip every time you see or hear the following...an act wearing sunglasses on stage, when someone says ‘Sweden', there are dancers that have no relevance to the song - whatsoever, there is an act wearing practically nothing, someone is wearing tin foil - again, when the presenter shouts ‘Good Evening’ and finally, when a country's performance is unusually amusing. (Rex)
Step 5: Party food:
Step 5: Party food:
Step 6: Do a sweepstake: While watching this gloriously tacky competition, why not engage in a little competition of your own? Organise a sweepstake amongst your guests, choosing one person per country and a pound to enter, with the jackpot as the prize. <p></p>You can print out the BBC's handy sweepstake kit from here: <a href=
Step 6: Do a sweepstake: While watching this gloriously tacky competition, why not engage in a little competition of your own? Organise a sweepstake amongst your guests, choosing one person per country and a pound to enter, with the jackpot as the prize. You can print out the BBC's handy sweepstake kit from here:

bbc.co.uk (BBC)" />

Step 7: Make a playlist: Create the ultimate playlist with Eurovision hits from over the years such as, Rise Like a Pheonix (Conchita), Waterloo (Abba), Flying the Flag (Schooch), Congratulations (Cliff Richard), Lipstick (Jedwood) and Just a little bit (Gina G). It's bound to get the party started and keep the mood up during any ad breaks. (Olle Lindeborg/AFP/Getty)
Step 8: Karaoke to end the night:
Step 8: Karaoke to end the night:

Eurovision semi-final 2

The first half:

  • Armenia

  • Cyprus

  • Romania

  • Denmark

  • Belgium

  • Iceland

  • Greece

  • Estonia

The second half:

  • Albania

  • Australia

  • Austria

  • Lithuania

  • San Marino

  • Slovenia

  • Georgia

  • Poland

The UK, Ukraine, and Spain can vote during this semi-final.

The UK is hosting Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine (AP)
The UK is hosting Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine (AP)

How to watch the Eurovision semi-finals

The first will take place on Tuesday, May 9 and the second will be held on Thursday, May 11. Both semi-finals will be broadcast on BBC Three.

The Eurovision final will then take place on Saturday, May 13 and be broadcast live on BBC One.

Martin Österdahl, the executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming artists from all 37 countries to Liverpool, the city of pop, next May.

“[The] competition promises to be an extra-special one and we’re working hard with the BBC right now to ensure that hundreds of millions of viewers will enjoy the best Eurovision Song Contest yet, with Ukraine at the heart of the event.”