Spain remains a strong contender in the Eurovision Song Contest for 2022, which takes place in Turin on May 10, 12 and 14. The nation previously reached eighth place with 81 points in 2012, while 2014 gave a top ten finish of tenth place with Pastora Soler and Ruth Lorenzo. The Spanish entry, performed by Chanel Terrero, aims to turn a decade of mixed results into a successful run, building on recent momentum and recognition gained through the national selection and the artist’s growing international profile.
Where and when is it celebrated?
The Eurovision event unfolds at the PalaOlimpico in Turin, a versatile venue originally built for the 2006 Winter Olympics ice hockey competition. The arena was designed by Italian architect Pier Paolo Maggiora along with Japanese designer Arata Isozaki, and the stage design by Francesca Montinaro blends symbolism of Italy with a dynamic audience experience. The venue is set to host 12,000 spectators for each of the three reveals: the two semi-finals on Tuesday, May 10 and Thursday, May 12, and the grand final on Saturday, May 14.
How many countries and languages will there be?
Forty countries participate, with songs across fifteen languages. Notably, this edition marks the absence of French-language entries, a first for the contest in many years. A Breton-language song represents Brittany on one nation’s stage, while Belgium and Switzerland will present entries in English despite their official French connections. The aim for every participant remains the same: to lift the Crystal Microphone trophy.
Russia was expelled in February following its invasion of Ukraine, and several countries considered boycotts in response to sanctions against the Putin regime. The European Broadcasting Union facilitated a path to keep the show intact, even as some participants withdrew. Russia announced its intent to unsubscribe but had not completed that process at the time of these preparations.
Overview of the competition format
From each semi-final, ten acts advance to the final. In the final, Spain, Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Germany — the so-called Big Five — join the competition with guaranteed spots on the Saturday stage. The winner is determined through a combination of jury votes from each participating country and public votes tallied by nation, ensuring both expert opinion and audience sentiment are reflected.
Who delivers?
The hosting duties will feature celebrated Italian personalities. One of the presenters is Laura Pausini, joined by Mika and Alessandro Cattelan, a familiar face from Italian radio and television who previously hosted major programs. The initial plan tipped Raffaella Carrà for hosting duties, but her passing in July of the previous year altered the lineup. TVE’s commentators for the Spanish broadcast will be Tony Aguilar and Julia Varela, with Nieves Álvarez announcing the votes from Benidorm, the site of the channel’s Eurovision project.
Spain is among the favourites
Chanel Terrero represents Spain, with betting markets rating her among the top contenders. Her song, SloMo, marks a milestone in her career and has already surpassed nine million streams on Spotify and climbed the Los 40 chart in Spain. The artist has spent time in Miami collaborating with noted producers and expanding her repertoire, planning to showcase a high-energy, choreographed performance featuring dancers and a choir. The production team includes renowned choreographer Kyle Hanagami, who has worked with major global acts, and a stylist who helped shape the stage look. The Torino staging aims to be fast-paced and visually striking, building on the momentum from her Benidorm Fest triumph and pairing with Hanagami for a distinctive show on the Turin stage.
Competitors to beat: United Kingdom
The United Kingdom presents a determined bid, with Sam Ryder driving a strong campaign around the song Spaceman. Ryder rose to prominence on social media during the pandemic and has crafted a modern pop sound that resonates with contemporary audiences. The track blends soaring vocal lines with a catchy hook, positioning Ryder as a strong match for professional juries and public voters alike. The competition will test whether his energetic performance translates into European-wide appeal against several other strong entries.
Competitors to beat: Sweden
Sweden returns with Cornelia Jakobs, who first appeared on the scene years earlier and faced early setbacks en route to stardom. Her ballad Hold Me Closer focuses on raw emotion and vocal clarity, a contrast to more upbeat entries. Jakobs navigates a high-stakes stage with a performance designed to connect with both juries and the public, leveraging Sweden’s track record for producing widely engaging melodic pop.
Competitors to beat: Italy
Italy anchors the home-front advantage with Mahmood and Blanco, a duo whose collaboration has generated significant attention. Mahmood previously placed second in Tel Aviv, and Blanco has risen rapidly in the Italian scene. Their collaboration on Brividi is a tender duet about love and resilience, performed with a strong stage dynamic. The duo’s youth and crossover appeal are expected to energize the Turin arena and appeal to a broad audience as they present a contemporary Italian sound on the international stage.
Opponent to beat: Ukraine
Ukraine headlines the field as a favorite with Kalush Orchestra, blending rap with traditional Ukrainian rhythms. The group received substantial support even before the war, and their story has added a powerful emotional dimension to their performance. The artists temporarily paused activities to support their country during the conflict but reunited in Turin to deliver a compelling live show. The contest will likely honor the emotional connection and cultural resonance Ukraine brings, especially in the final vote.
Other favorites
Finland, the Netherlands and Greece are also viewed as strong contenders. Finland offers a familiar energy with a contemporary track that nods to earlier anthems. The Netherlands showcases Dutch-language storytelling from S10, whose approach emphasizes narrative depth. Greece leans on Amanda Tenfjord, blending personal storytelling with a dynamic vocal performance. Norway enters with Subwoolfer, a masked duo whose playful concept sparked viral chatter. Serbia also draws interest with Konstrakta, who turns a critique of the health system into a memorable stage act. Together, these acts contribute a diverse tapestry that keeps the contest unpredictable and exciting for fans around the world, including Canada and the United States [citation: Eurovision organizers].