The European Broadcasting Union has announced a series of changes for Eurovision 2024, the 68th edition of the renowned song festival. The event will take place in Malmö, Sweden, on May 7, 9, and 11, marking a pivotal point in the calendar for fans across North America and Europe. This year’s edition drew attention for debates surrounding Israel’s participation, a topic that continued to shape conversations around the competition. As rehearsals approach, significant updates and strategic adjustments are now in view for audiences and participants alike.
For the first time in Eurovision history, the Big 5 nations England, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, along with the host nation Sweden, are scheduled to perform live in the semi-finals on both Tuesday and Thursday. This change promises greater exposure for these six countries throughout the week, offering more opportunities for memorable performances and audience engagement before the grand final on Saturday. Past editions have shown that rehearsal schedules and semi-final performances can influence public perception and voting, making this year’s format a noteworthy shift for fans and analysts. The overall plan includes several additional performances during the semi-finals that will be interleaved among the competing acts, ensuring a steady stream of entertaining moments without forcing audiences to wait through long intervals to see key numbers.
Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom are set to present their entries in the semi-finals on Tuesday, May 7, with their turn continuing on Thursday, May 9. France, Italy, and Spain are also featured prominently, and on the Malmö stage Nebulossa will perform the track Zorra live for the first time to a pan-European audience, highlighting the festival’s commitment to showcasing fresh material and international collaboration. This programming emphasis aligns with Eurovision’s goal of delivering dynamic, varied performances across the week, while preserving the excitement and suspense of the final showdown.
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A notable innovation reaches the voting process for the grand final. On Saturday, May 11, the voting lines will open at the very start of the gala, just before the first participating country takes the stage. This change allows viewers to cast their votes earlier in the evening, adding a new layer of immediacy and participation to the experience. The approach to early voting is not entirely new; similar procedures were implemented in earlier years, reflecting how Eurovision continually experiments with audience involvement to heighten engagement across a broad international constituency. In addition, fans watching from non-participating countries will have the opportunity to vote within 24 hours before each of the three galas, expanding the geographic reach of audience participation and giving more viewers a voice in the outcome. These updates underscore Eurovision’s ongoing evolution toward a more inclusive and participatory format, while still preserving the drama and spectacle that define the festival for millions of viewers worldwide.