The China Mail - Eurovision in numbers

- 0 -

Countries have scored the dreaded zero points in Eurovision finals on 37 occasions.

It was fairly common in the 1960s, happening 19 times, but became rare after semi-finals were introduced in 2004.

The feat became mathematically even more difficult after the voting system changed in 2016. However, Britain's James Newman managed it in 2021.

- 3 -

Basel sits right on the border of three countries: Switzerland, Germany and France. The three countries meet in the River Rhine.

Three presenters will host the final: stand-up comedian Hazel Brugger; entertainer and television presenter Michelle Hunziker; and singer Sandra Studer, who represented Switzerland at Eurovision 1991.

- 5 -

Eurovision's "Big Five" main financial backers -- Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain -- are guaranteed a place in the final.

- 6 -

Dublin has hosted Eurovision six times, a record for any city.

- 7 -

Sweden and Ireland have both won Eurovision a record seven times.

- 9 -

Britain has hosted the competition a record nine times, after its own five outright victories and stepping in for other countries, including when Liverpool hosted in 2023 following war-torn Ukraine's win.

- 13 -

Belgium's Sandra Kim is the youngest Eurovision winner, having triumphed in 1986 with "J'aime la vie" at the age of 13.

- 14 -

Greece, Norway and Ukraine have qualified from the semi-finals a record 14 times.

- 16 -

Britain has finished in second place a record 16 times, way ahead of France at six times and Germany at five.

- 26 -

The number of countries which now compete in the grand final.

- 27 -

Eurovision-winning songs have come from 27 different countries -- Russia being the biggest and Monaco the smallest.

- 30 -

The record number of years between Eurovision appearances, with Poland's Justyna Steczkowska returning in 2025 after competing in 1995.

- 37 -

The number of countries taking part in the 2025 edition across the semi-finals and final.

- 43 -

A record 43 countries participated in 2008, 2011, and 2018.

- 69 -

This year is the 69th edition of Eurovision.

- 95 -

The oldest-ever contestant was Takasa's double bass player Emil Ramsauer, who was 95 when competing for Switzerland in 2013.

- 156 -

Viewers in 156 countries voted in last year's contest.

- 1956 -

The first Eurovision was held in the Swiss city of Lugano in 1956. Seven countries took part.

- 1974 -

ABBA took the 1974 competition in Brighton by storm with "Waterloo", and the Swedish four-piece remain the most successful act ever to have won Eurovision.

- 1988 -

Aged 20, Canadian starlet Celine Dion represented Switzerland at Eurovision 1988 in Dublin, singing "Ne partez pas sans moi". She won, launching her career outside of her homeland.

- 4,500 -

Lighting fixtures in the Basel stage set, using mainly low-energy LED and laser technology.

- 6,500 -

The number of tickets sold at Basel's St. Jakobshalle for each of the nine shows, including six dress rehearsals.

- 14,000 -

The number of people accredited for Eurovision 2025.

- 100,000 -

Organisers' estimate of the crowds lining Sunday's opening parade in Basel.

- 163,000,000 -

The number of people who watched Eurovision 2024 on television or online.

K.Lam--ThChM