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The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Swiss hosts revealed the complete running order on 16 May 2025, immediately after the conclusion of Semi-Final 2 in Basel. In the draw that took place during the contest’s Heads of Delegation meeting, Switzerland had already been slotted into position 19. Show producers then placed the qualifiers to balance pacing and variety. The result: Norway will open the Grand Final, and Albania will close the show.
Running order and historical trends
Eurovision analysts note that running order can subtly influence voting. Psychological research shows that songs performed later tend to benefit from a recency effect. In one study of past contests, being shifted eight spots later in the running order was associated with an average gain of one position on the scoreboard. Singing last versus first can translate to roughly a three-place bump on average. Moreover, a song in the final quarter of the show tends to do best: on average it gains about 2.4 ranking places, compared to 1.7 places for songs in the second quarter. By contrast, entries in the first quarter (positions 1–6 in a 26-song final) have the least advantage. For example, a memorable opener will be noted, but entries in the middle of the show suffer a “trough” of viewer attention.
So let’s do some digging and finger-in-the-air prediction work based on that… keep in mind, I’m not 100% sure where the breaks are going, might be before or after UK in first part for example…
Eurovision 2025 running order
1. Norway – “Lighter” by Kyle Alessandro
Opening the show can be high-pressure. While it’s a memorable slot, few have ever triumphed from first place. Sweden’s ‘Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley’ did it last time in 1984. Recent openers have fared poorly with the televote. The benefit? Viewers are fresh, juries are sharp, and the staging can make a big splash.
2. Luxembourg – “La poupée monte le son” by Laura Thorn
The dreaded “death slot” – no act has ever won Eurovision from position #2. Songs placed here often get lost between the high-energy opener and the growing momentum of the show. Laura’s song is retro-chic, upbeat and catchy, which could help mitigate the “death slot” effect.
3. Estonia – “Espresso Macchiato” by Tommy Cash
Third place often marks the start of the “attention dip”. However, quirky or controversial acts here can stand out (see Moldova 2017’s epic sax guy moment). Ireland won the Eurovision Song Contest from the third slot in 1994 with the song “Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids.”
4. Israel – “New Day Will Rise” by Yuval Raphael
Early-mid slots are a mixed bag. More often, acts here struggle to leave a lasting impression. Turkey did pull off a victory from here in 2003, however.
5. Lithuania – “Tavo akys” by Katarsis
Songs around this position often set the emotional tone for the first quarter. Position 5 is known for ballads doing okay but rarely winning.
6. Spain – “Esa Diva” by Melody
As the last act before many viewers settle in properly, it’s a transitional slot. Spain performed sixth in 2017 (Manel Navarro – “Do It for Your Lover”) and placed last.
7. Ukraine – “Bird of Pray” by Ziferblat
Starting to edge into stronger positions and just before the first ad break.
8. United Kingdom – “What the Hell Just Happened” by Remember Monday
Performing right after an ad break can provide a visibility bump, but it can also mean viewers are elsewhere topping up drinks. Early-mid placement and often considered neutral territory. Dana International sang in this position back in 1998.
9. Austria – “Wasted Love” by JJ
A hot favourite placed early. Loreen won her second trophy from #9 in 2023.
10. Iceland – “Róa” by Væb
One boat follows another and into the early-middle zone. Quietly competitive, especially if the entry builds mood and tone. Ballads have found success here with juries. Ukraine won in 2004 from slot 10. Latvia performed 10th in 2015 and finished 6th. Måns Zelmerlöw performed here in 2015.
11. Latvia – “Bur man laimi” by Tautumeitas
The heart of the running order often sees solid jury appeal, but televote often struggles. Portugal did, however win from here in 2017. Conchita took the gong for Austria from here in 2014.
12. Netherlands – “C’est la vie” by Claude
A lucky number historically. The Netherlands triumphed from here back in 2019, as did Ukraine in 2022. Notably, Italy came second from this slot in 2011.
13. Finland – “Ich komme” by Erika Vikman
A middling slot; neither a curse nor a blessing. Sometimes gets lost. Just before the second ad break, a critical moment. It’s a good chance to leave a lasting impression before viewers step away. You have to go back to 1986 to find a winner from unlocky number 13.
14. Italy – “Volevo Essere Un Duro” by Lucio Corsi
Right after the break. This is often where the contest begins to ramp up. In a little piece of history, in 1969, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom all won after performing in the 14th position. The Olsen Brothers opened this decade in 2000 by winning for Denmark from here.
15. Poland – “Gaja” by Justyna Steczkowska
Positioned to benefit from momentum building. Charlotte Nilsson is the only recent winner (for Sweden) from #15, but it’s often a good place to pick up jury love.
16. Germany – “Baller” by Abor & Tynna
Middle of the pack – rarely lucky, but not doomed. The “pivot point” of the show. From here, the energy often surges.
17. Greece – “Asteromáta” by Klavdia
Getting into the second half – often where televoters become more attentive. A solid draw, especially for emotional or mystical entries. Greece often shines in these mid-late zones. Loreen scored one of her wins from here in 2012 with ‘Eurphoria’. Serbia scored their so-far only victory from here in 2007, on year after Lordi won for Finland from here in 2006.
18. Armenia – “Survivor” by Parg
This position has produced multiple top five results. Greece 2011 (3rd), Sweden 2014 (3rd). Close enough to the end to linger, far enough from the finale to be distinctive. The Danes scored a win with Emmelie de Forest in 2013.
19. Switzerland – “Voyage” by Zoë Më
A spot that’s statistically solid. A well-rounded slot that juries (for some reason) seem to respect. Plus there’s the home crowd cheer that often translates to half-drunken televoters. Greece won from here in 2005, as did Azerbaijan in 2011.
20. Malta – “Serving” by Miriana Conte
Traditionally seen as strong – Malta’s 2005 and 2002 runners-up both performed in the early 20s. Close to the third break – this spot may suffer from being overshadowed. Alexander Rybak won from slot 20 in 2009. Estonia pulled off a still-baffling win in 2001 from this slot.
21. Portugal – “Deslocado” by NAPA
Last before the third ad break. Historically, this is a good place to go big or heartfelt. A sleeper hit zone. Ukraine’s “1944” won from #21 in 2016. Nemo brought the show home last year after singing in this slot. Close enough to voting to ride the memory wave.
22. Denmark – “Hallucination” by Sissal
A late-blooming slot. Israel’s Netta won from this exact position in 2018. A strong draw. Entries here often see a fresh wave of attention as the final group kicks in. Often favours high-energy or novelty acts. German Lena won from here in 2010.
23. Sweden – “Bara bada bastu” by KAJ
The prime late slot. This is one of the last full impressions voters will take into their decisions. Historically, this is a golden slot – just ahead of the final voting recap. Latvia won from here in 2002.
24. France – “Maman” by Louane
Another top favourite positioned smartly. Italy (2021) won from this slot, as did the UK in 1997 and Russia in 2008. One of the best places to be. Louane’s emotional strength could turn this into a clincher.
25. San Marino – “Tutta l’Italia” by Gabry Ponte
Often a comic or high-energy act lands here to warm up for the closer. It’s a nice boost after Louane rolling around in not sand.
26. Albania – “Zjerm” by Shkodra Elektronike
The closing slot. A powerful tool if used right – Turkey (2003) and Serbia (2007) both won from last place. Always powerful if handled right. The last song sticks in the mind. Viewers vote straight after.
