Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 contest – but what did they get? (Picture: Getty)
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you might have heard that the Eurovision Song Contest has washed up on these shores for the first time in 25 years.
Liverpool has been chosen as the lucky city to play host to the annual event, with acts from 37 countries duking it out over a series of semi-finals, followed by the grand final, in their bid to be this year’s winner.
In 2022 the honour went to Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra with their song Stefania, with the UK’s Sam Ryder and his song Space Man taking the runner-up spot – the 16th time the United Kingdom has finished in second place.
Singer Mae Muller will be hoping to go one better for the UK this year with her track I Wrote A Song – although she’s up against stiff competition from former Swedish winner Loreen, hoping for a second victory with her song Tattoo.
Finland’s Kaarija, La Zarra from France and Spain’s Blanca Paloma are also tipped to do well on the night – while Ukraine’s Tvorchi will be hoping to score a second consecutive victory for their country.
Winning is a huge deal, obviously – but what does the victor actually get?
Here’s what you need to know…
What is the prize for winning Eurovision?
According to Eurovision themselves, ‘The winner will perform once again, and take home the iconic glass microphone trophy.
‘The winning country will traditionally be given the honour of hosting the next Eurovision Song Contest.’
Of course, under normal circumstances, this year’s contest would have taken place in Ukraine, who previously hosted in Kyiv in 2005 and 2017 after Ruslana’s 2004 victory and Jamala’s win in 2016.
However, due to the ongoing war with Russia they were unable to hold it there – and so the option of hosting fell to the UK instead, as they finished in second place.
Should Mae Muller top the leaderboard in Liverpool, the UK would have the chance to host the contest again in 2024, as the prize stands even if you win more than one year in a row.
Ireland were faced with this in the 90s when they took the title in 1992, 1993 and 1994, hosting the contest for three years on the trot – and then again in 1997 after they won in 1996.
If Ukraine were to win again this year it remains unclear whether they would be able to host the contest there in 2024.
If Mae Muller wins in Liverpool we’ll have to host it all over again (Picture: Getty Images)
One thing which the winner does not receive is any financial reward, alongside the hosting gig and the trophy.
In general, the thought is that the winner would be catapulted to fame in the way Abba was after their win in 1974, making money from their future success.
Another Eurovision alumnus – Celine Dion, who won in 1988 – is now worth over $800 million (approx. £652 million).
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And 2021 winners Maneskin, who scored Italy their first Eurovision victory since 1990, have gone on to huge commercial success across the world, and are due to make their Glastonbury debut this summer.
Sam Ryder has also enjoyed huge success since the contest, appearing at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee party, scoring a number one album and a sell-out UK tour, headlining the BBC’s regular New Year’s Eve concert, and being nominated for best new artist at the Brit Awards.
The Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals are on Tuesday May 9 and Thursday May 11 on BBC One at 8. The grand final is on BBC One on Saturday May 13 at 8pm.
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