Eurovision 2024 semi-finals running order, how many acts go through, and why the UK isn't competing

Eurovision Song Contest is back for 2024 and this week will see the semi-finals kick-off ahead of the main event, which takes place in Malmö, Sweden, following Loreen's win with Tattoo at Liverpool 2023. The first semi-final will occur on Tuesday, May 7, while the second will go ahead on Thursday, May 9, before the grand final on Saturday, May 11.

As always, the United Kingdom, along with France, Germany, Italy, and Spain will not compete in the semi-finals. Named the Big Five, the countries, along with the host country, go straight through to the grand final. However, in a shake-up this year, the Big Five, along with hosts Sweden, will perform in the semi-finals as part of the show, even though they are already pre-qualified for the Grand Final.

In 2024 the UK is being represented by It's A Sin actor and Years & Years singer Olly Alexander with his song entry Dizzy. This year's allocation draw, which sees the European Broadcasting Union divide the participating nations between two semi-finals, took place in January, with the running order for each semi-final now confirmed.

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The semi-finals will broadcast live from Malmö and can be watched in the UK on the BBC. The semi-finals will be hosted by commentators Scott Mills and Rylan, live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Over on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, Richie Anderson will be taking the reins for the first time and leading the commentary on the airwaves.

When are the Eurovision 2024 semi-finals?

The first semi-final will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday, May 7, at 8pm. It will run for two hours and 10 minutes, ending at 10:10pm.

The second semi-final will kick off on the same channel at the same time on Thursday, May 9.

Eurovision 2024 semi-finals running order

First semi-final

Cyprus / Silia Kapsis - Liar

Serbia / TEYA DORA - RAMONDA

Lithuania / Silvester Belt - Luktelk

Ireland / Bambie Thug - Doomsday Blue

United Kingdom / Olly Alexander - Dizzy

Ukraine / alyona alyona & Jerry Heil - Teresa & Maria

Poland / LUNA - The Tower

Croatia / Baby Lasagna - Rim Tim Tagi Dim

Iceland / Hera Björk - Scared of Heights

Germany / ISAAK - Always On The Run

Slovenia / Raiven - Veronika

Finland / Windows95man - No Rules!

Moldova / Natalia Barbu - In The Middle

Sweden / Marcus & Martinus - Unforgettable

Azerbaijan / FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov - Özünlə Apar

Australia / Electric Fields - One Milkali (One Blood)

Portugal / iolanda - Grito

Luxembourg / TALI - Fighter

Second semi-final

Malta / Sarah Bonnici - Loop

Albania / BESA - TITAN

Greece / Marina Satti - ZARI

Switzerland / Nemo - The Code

Czechia / Aiko - Pedestal

France / Slimane - Mon amour

Austria / Kaleen - We Will Rave

Denmark / SABA - SAND

Armenia / LADANIVA - Jako

Latvia / Dons - Hollow

Spain / Nebulossa - ZORRA

San Marino / MEGARA - 11:11

Georgia / Nutsa Buzaladze - Firefighter

Belgium / Mustii - Before The Party's Over

Estonia / 5MIINUST x Puuluup - (nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi

Italy / Angelina Mango - La Noia

Israel / Eden Golan - Hurricane

Norway / Gåte - Ulveham

Netherlands / Joost Klein - Europapa

How many acts go through to the Eurovision Grand Final?

Only 10 countries from each semi-final will win a place in the grand final on Saturday, May 11, along with the Big Five and host Sweden, meaning 26 acts will perform for their country.

Why the UK isn't competing Eurovision 2024 semi-finals?

Along with Sweden, who qualified for the final after Loreen won last year, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the UK are also through because they pay more to organisers. Named the Big Five, the countries, along with the host country, go straight through to the grand final.

Explaining the Big Five, the official Eurovision website explains: "The Big Five are the participating broadcasters from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom - the group of countries who via their broadcasters make the biggest financial contribution towards the organisation of the Contest."

In a first this year, however, the Big Five and the Eurovision hosts will perform in the semi-finals as part of the show, even though they are already pre-qualified for the grand final.

How to vote in the Eurovision semi-finals

A statement on the official Eurovision website reads: "Viewers are able to cast their votes via the official Eurovision Song Contest app during the live semi-finals and Grand Final. The app is available for your iOS, Android or Windows device, and if you vote via the app you will receive a special video message from your favourite artists.

"In addition, those watching in participating countries can vote by telephone and/or SMS. Relevant numbers will be displayed on screen by each participating broadcaster and on www.esc.vote.

"You can only vote in the semi-final your country takes part in, or the semi-final assigned to your country if you're watching from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, or Sweden. You can vote up to 20 times for the countries you want to vote for."

In the semi-finals, voting will open after the last song has been performed, and will stay open for approximately 15 to 25 minutes. You can read more on how to vote here. You can keep up to date with the latest TV and showbiz news by signing up to the newsletter here.