In the last few weeks, the location and dates of Eurovision 2025 have been confirmed.
Basel in Switzerland will host the Contest on the 13, 15 and 17 May next year.
However, which nations will be competing?
The full list of participating broadcasters and nations isn't expected for a few more months, however, many have indicated publicly their intention of competing.
This has tied in with the first deadline expiring over the weekend.
Broadcasters must have indicated to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) their intention to participate by September 15. However, they don't have to publicly announce this intention.
So, what do we know and will Australia compete?
The countries who publicly say they are competing in Eurovision 2025
Albania
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belgium
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Montenegro
Norway
Portugal
San Marino
Serbia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Czechia, Greece, Iceland, Moldova, Slovenia and Ukraine were the most recent ones to publicly commit to participating.
Armenia, Australia, Croatia, Estonia, Ireland, Netherlands and Poland have yet to confirm their participation publicly but have not indicated they will not participate.
Montenegro returns
The big news from this list is that Montenegro is returning.
The small Balkan nation has only competed once in the 2020s (2022 with Breathe) and hasn't been in the Grand Final since 2015.
Not only will they return, but they will also be hosting a national final: Montesong.
They are currently taking song submissions and the event will be held on November 26 of this year.
The Netherlands delays their decision
Following the fallout of the disqualification of the Netherlands in the Grand Final of Eurovision 2024, their broadcaster AVROTOS has delayed their decision.
The broadcaster and the EBU have been in talks behind the scenes. The EBU has extended the deadline to The Netherlands until November 1. A spokesperson for AVROTOS stated:
"With EBU Deputy Director General and Director of Media Jean Philip De Tender’s visit to AVROTROS, the dialogue with the EBU has started. To give this constructive dialogue a chance to succeed, AVROTROS has requested to postpone the decision to participate. The EBU has granted an extension until November 1, for which we are grateful."
October 11 deadline without penalty
Some nations have registered to participate but have until 11 October to withdraw from Eurovision 2025 without penalty.
Slovenia did inform the EBU of their intention to compete by the deadline. However, in a statement to Eurovoix they said they would not make a final decision until October,
What about the rest?
Out of the nations yet to publicly confirm, Armenia, Croatia, Estonia, Ireland and Poland are expected to participate.
They were at the recent EBU Heads of Delegation meeting in Croatia that was planning for Eurovision 2025.
Netherlands as mentioned is delaying their decision.
Tell me about Australia!
In a statement to Aussievision, a spokesperson from SBS said:
We don’t have any updates to share at this stage, but we love being part of the Eurovision Song Contest. It’s an exceptional event that highlights the universal language of music and its power to connect people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
It was really special to have Electric Fields represent Australia this year and share Yankunytjatjara language and the Yidaki on the biggest stage in the world.
Australia traditionally does not announce until the EBU confirms the full list of participating nations.
This is because Australia is not a full member of the EBU and relies on a year-by-year invite (after a recent five-year contract tied in with Australia Decides expired in 2023).
If SBS want to participate, it is not expected they will face any issues from the EBU.
What about returning countries?
Romania, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia did not compete in 2024 but have competed at Eurovision in the 202s.
Although none of them have indicated they will be in Basel next year, they have yet to publicly rule out a return.
Who will not return?
Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovakia have already indicated they will not participate.
When will we know?
Traditionally, the EBU confirms the participating nations towards the end of October.
However, last year this was delayed until the start of December.
For continued updates on all the Eurovision news follow Aussievision on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Threads. All links at: https://linktr.ee/aussievisionnet
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