42 countries to compete in Eurovision 2019

07 November 2018 at 12:01 CET

42 participating countries in the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest

Read on to find out if your country will be competing for the coveted Eurovision trophy in Tel Aviv next year.

In 2019, 42 countries will be travelling to Israel. 36 countries will perform in the Semi-Finals on 14 and 16 May, hoping to qualify for the Grand Final. Host country Israel and the so-called 'Big Five' countries — France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom — are traditionally prequalified to take part in the Grand Final on 18 May. The three shows will be co-produced by the EBU and Israeli public broadcaster KAN.

Jon Ola Sand, the Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of the EBU, said: “Last year Netta dared to dream and won the contest in Lisbon, bringing it to Israel for 2019. We are thrilled that 42 countries will be represented in Tel Aviv and hope the participating broadcasters are inspired to have the same dream. The team at KAN is busy preparing to welcome the participants - and the world! - to Tel Aviv and will be putting on a show to remember."

Eldad Koblenz, CEO of KAN, added: "We already know that dreams come true when we saw Netta Barzilai win the Eurovision Song Contest in May and bring the trophy back to Israel for a third time. Netta allowed us to dare to dream and now, as these dreams are being realised, we can’t wait to host the 42 delegations who will aspire to do the same. All of us at KAN are looking forward to welcoming everyone to an exciting and memorable Eurovision Song Contest that will be watched by millions of viewers in Israel and across the globe.”

The following countries (and EBU Member Broadcasters) will participate:

Albania (RTSH)
Armenia (AMPTV)
Australia (SBS)*
Austria (ORF)
Azerbaijan (İctimai TV)
Belarus (BTRC)
Belgium (RTBF)
Croatia (HRT)
Cyprus (CYBC)
Czech Republic (ČT)
Denmark (DR)
Estonia (ERR)
Finland (YLE)
France (FT)
FYR Macedonia (MKRTV)
Germany (ARD/NDR)
Georgia (GPB)
Greece (ERT)
Hungary (MTVA)
Iceland (RÚV)
Ireland (RTÉ)
Israel (IPBC/KAN)
Italy (RAI)
Latvia (LTV)
Lithuania (LRT)
Malta (PBS)
Moldova (TRM)
Montenegro (RTCG)
The Netherlands (AVROTROS)
Norway (NRK)
Poland (TVP)
Portugal (RTP)
Romania (TVR)
Russia (RTR)
San Marino (SMRTV)
Serbia (RTS)
Slovenia (RTVSLO)
Spain (RTVE)
Sweden (SVT)
Switzerland (SRG/SSR)
Ukraine (UA:PBC)
United Kingdom (BBC)

* Australian broadcaster SBS is an Associate Member of the EBU.

The Netherlands and Switzerland will send a contestant to the Eurovision Song Contest for the 60th time next year. Greece will be on board for the 40th time, Croatia, Estonia and Slovenia are joining the competition for the 25th time, and Latvia and Lithuania will both take part for the 20th time. San Marino is sending an act for the 10th time in the contest's history.

Sending their 63rd entry in 2019, Germany holds on to the record of most participations.

19 countries have a chance to bring home Eurovision victory, and thus the opportunity to host the contest, for the very first time.