Following the first Eurovision 2022 semi-final, ten countries advanced to the grand final, setting the stage for a decisive Saturday show. A draw determined which of the two halves each finalist would perform in. In total, twenty-five nations reach the finale: five from the Big Five and ten from each semi-final winner pool. This format keeps the competition balanced and unpredictable for fans across Europe and beyond.
The running order is not fixed by a single method. The organizing team aims to create a varied, entertaining presentation that minimizes genre repetition. Chance, however, still plays a role in whether a nation lands in the first half or the second. The first half includes acts up to position thirteen, while the second half covers positions fourteen to twenty-five.
Among the Big Five, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany are slated for the first half, with the United Kingdom positioned in the second half. From yesterday’s semi-finalists, Switzerland, Armenia, Portugal, Norway, Ukraine, and the Netherlands competed in the first block. Iceland, Moldova, Lithuania, and Greece were scheduled for the second block. After the semi-finals, the remaining placement details are finalized and the final performance order is announced to the audience and participants alike.
Moving in the second half, better results guaranteed
Historical data shows that performing later in the show often correlates with stronger final results. This trend includes several recent winners and top contenders who performed in the second portion of the lineup. Italy secured a victory the previous year from a late position, a pattern echoed by other champions who stood at or near the end of the running order. In past editions, performers who opened or landed early positions seldom claimed the trophy in the same year. Notable exceptions exist, but the prevailing pattern favors late-stage performances for ultimate success.
Over the past decade, numerous winners finished their campaigns in the second half. Israel in 2018 sat in the latter part, Ukraine in 2017 topped the show from a mid-to-late slot, Denmark in 2013, Sweden in 2012, and Azerbaijan in 2011 all benefited from later placements. This history reinforces the perception that the second half offers strategic advantages for finalists aiming to capture the title.
These patterns contribute to the ongoing discussion among teams, fans, and analysts about how much the running order influences final outcomes. While talent and staging remain essential, the slot position in the lineup is a performance variable that can impact voting dynamics and audience engagement. The competition continues to emphasize variety, spectacle, and storytelling, regardless of the exact position each act occupies in the order.