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Eurovision 2025: why can’t UK viewers vote in semi-final tonight? Rules explained

The opening semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled for May 13 at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, featuring 15 countries competing for a place in the Grand Final.
This semi-final occurs because the contest uses a two semi-final system established in 2008 to manage increased participation from new and returning countries.
Members of the Big Five, including the UK, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany, automatically qualify for the Grand Final and do not compete in the semi-finals but some can vote in them.
The public entirely decides the ten qualifiers from the semi-final for the Grand Final on May 17, while national juries only vote in the final, ensuring 100% public control of semi-final qualification.
UK viewers cannot vote in this first semi-final because the UK votes only in the second semi-final on May 15, reflecting the contest's voting rules linked to the Big Five arrangement.

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BBC News

Center

First of two Eurovision 2025 semi-finals takes place in Switzerland

Tonight's show in Basel sees performances from 18 of the 37 countries taking part, including the bookmakers’ favourite, KAJ.

16 hours ago·United Kingdom

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nationalworld.com

Lean Left

Eurovision 2025: Does the UK compete in semi-finals? The 'Big Five' countries explained - and why they get pass to grand final

The Eurovision Song Contest is back on our screens with dozens of musician battling it out in the hope of winning that famous trophy.

1 day ago

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londonworld.com

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Why you can’t vote in Eurovision’s semi-final tonight - as rule quirk explained

Eurovision has some unusual rules for voting in the semi-finals 👀

2 days ago

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Fife Today

+9 Reposted by 9 other sources

Center

Eurovision 2025: why can’t UK viewers vote in semi-final tonight? Rules explained

Eurovision has some unusual rules for voting in the semi-finals 👀

2 days ago·Kirkcaldy, United Kingdom

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Metro News

Lean Left

I was on easyJet's Eurovision flight and it was gloriously unhinged

Metro got a seat on the second-ever Eurovision fan flight (Picture: easyJet) Walking through Gatwick Airport this week, travellers were treated to an unusual sight: crowds of people draped in sequins and sparkles, many wearing variations of the Union Jack. Scattered on the terminal floor were the remnants of orange feather boas, evidence of the celebrations that were about to kick off. For the second year running, easyJet laid on a Eurovision su…

2 days ago·London, United Kingdom

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