Joining the Eurovision winners list is often viewed as the pinnacle of a performer and singers career. To represent your nation, excel in-front of your peers and earn a place in the history books is certainly no easy feat.
With the 2026 Grand Final very much on the horizon, BetVictor News has decided to take a trip down memory lane. With Eurovision betting taking centre-stage between now and Saturday’s extravaganza, we decided to take a look at the history of the famous song contest.
Who are the reigning champions? Which nation can boast the most overall wins and when did the UK last win? We we also take a closer look at the 2026 edition and analyze the Eurovision odds ahead of the showpiece this weekend.
Eurovision Winners: Who Are The Reigning Champions?
The current Eurovision winners are Austria, who won with the entry “Wasted Love.” It was artist JJ’s (Johannes Pietsch) debut single and was released in March 2025. He wrote the song himself (alongside Teodora Špirić and Thomas Thurner) and earned 436 points in the 2025 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Which Nation Has Won The Most Eurovision Song Contests?
Ireland and Sweden are the most successful nations since the Eurovision Song Contest was first held in 1956. Both countries have seven wins apiece. The Scandinavians were successful in 1974, 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, 2015 and 2023.
As for the Irish, they won the contest in 1970, 1980, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1996. Other multiple winners include France, Luxembourg, the UK, Netherlands (all 5), Israel (4), Norway, Denmark, Italy, Ukraine, Switzerland and Austria (all 3), Spain and Germany (both 2).
One-time victors include Monaco, Belgium, Yugoslavia, Estonia, Latvia, Turkey, Greece, Finland, Serbia, Russia, Azerbaijan and Portugal.
When Did The UK Last Win The Eurovision Song Contest?
The UK last won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1997. “Love Shine a Light” was the winning song which was performed by Katrina and the Waves, earning 227 points. Since then, the UK have finished runner-up on two occasions (1998 and 2022) and also finished third in 2002.
In the entire history of the Eurovision Song Contest, the UK has finished in last place five times (2003, 2008, 2010, 2019 and 2021). Most notably – and embarrassingly – ‘nul points’ were awarded for the flops in 2003 and 2021.
List Of Eurovision Winners: Year By Year
1956 – Switzerland, ‘Refrain’ performed by Lys Assia
1957 – Netherlands, ‘Net als toen’ performed by Corry Brokken
1958 – France, ‘Dors mon amour’ performed by Andre Claveau
1959 – Netherlands, ‘Een Beetje’ performed by Teddy Scholten
1960 – France, ‘Tom Pillibi’ performed by Jacqueline Boyer
1961 – Luxembourg, ‘Nous les amoureux’ performed by Jean-Claude Pascal
1962 – France, ‘Un premier amour’ performed by Isabelle Aubret
1963 – Denmark, ‘Dansevise’ performed by Grethe and Jorgen Ingmann
1964 – Italy, ‘Non ho l’eta’ performed by Gigliola Cinquetti
1965 – Luxembourg, ‘Poupee de cire, poupée de son’ performed by France Gall
1966 – Austria, ‘Merci Cherie’ performed by Udo Juergens
1967 – UK, ‘Puppet on a String’ performed by Sandie Shaw
1968 – Spain, ‘La, la, la’ performed by Massiel
1969 – 4-way tie! Spain, ‘Vivo cantando’ performed by Salome, UK, ‘Boom Bang-a-Bang’ performed by Lulu, Netherlands, ‘De troubadour’ performed by Lenny Kuhr, France, ‘Un jour, un enfant’ performed by Frida Boccara
1970 – Ireland, ‘All Kinds of Everything’ performed by Dana
1971 – Monaco, ‘Un banc, un arbre, une rue’ performed by Séverine
1972 – Luxembourg, ‘Apres toi’ performed by Vicky Leandros
1973 – Luxembourg, ‘Tu te reconnaitras’ performed by Anne-Marie David
1974 – Sweden, ‘Waterloo’ performed by ABBA
1975 -Netherlands, ‘Ding-a-Dong’ performed by Teach-In
1976 – UK, ‘Save Your Kisses For Me’ performed by Brotherhood of Man
1977 – France, ‘L’oiseau et l’enfant’ performed by Marie Myriam
1978 – Israel, ‘A-Ba-Ni-Bi’ performed by Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta
1979 – Israel, ‘Hallelujah’ performed by Milk and Honey
1980 – Ireland, ‘What’s Another Year’ performed by Johnny Logan
1981 – UK, ‘Making Your Mind Up’, performed by Bucks Fizz
1982 – Germany, ‘Ein bisschen Frieden’ performed by Nicole
1983 – Luxembourg, ‘Si la vie est cadeau’ performed by Corinne Hermes
1984 – Sweden, ‘Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley’ performed by Herreys
1985 – Norway, ‘La det swinge’ performed by Bobbysocks!
1986 – Belgium, ‘J’aime la vie’ performed by Sandra Kim
1987 – Ireland, ‘Hold Me Now’ performed by Johnny Logan
1988 – Switzerland, ‘Ne partez pas sans moi’ performed by Celine Dion
1989 – Yugoslavia, ‘Rock Me’ performed by Riva
1990 – Italy, ‘Insieme: 1992’ performed by Toto Cutugno
1991 – Sweden, ‘Fangad av en stormvind’ performed by Carola
1992 – Ireland, ‘Why Me?’ performed by Linda Martin
1993 – Ireland, ‘In Your Eyes’ performed by Niamh Kavanagh
1994 – Ireland, ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids’ performed by Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan
1995 – Norway, ‘Nocturne’ performed by Secret Garden
1996 – Ireland, ‘The Voice’ performed by Eimear Quinn
1997 – UK, ‘Love Shine a Light’ performed by Katrina and the Waves
1998 – Israel, ‘Diva’ performed by Dana International
1999 – Sweden, ‘Take Me To Your Heaven’ performed by Charlotte Nilsson
2000 – Denmark, ‘Fly on the Wings of Love’ performed by the Olsen Brothers
2001 – Estonia, ‘Everybody’ performed by Tanal Padar, Dave Benton and 2XL
2002 – Latvia, ‘I Wanna’ by Marie N
2003 – Turkey, ‘Everyway That I Can’ performed by Sertab Erener
2004 – Ukraine, ‘Wild Dances’ performed by Rusiana
2005 – Greece, ‘My Number One’ performed by Helena Paparizou
2006 – Finland, ‘Hard Rock Hallelujah’ performed by Lordi
2007 – Serbia, ‘Molitva’ performed by Marija Serifovic
2008 – Russia, ‘Believe’ performed by Dima Bilan
2009 – Norway, ‘Fairytale’ performed by Alexander Rybak
2010 – Germany, ‘Satellite’ performed by Lena
2011 – Azerbaijan, ‘Running Scared’ performed by Ell & Nikki
2012 – Sweden, ‘Euphoria’ performed by Loreen
2013 – Denmark, ‘Only Teardrops’ performed by Emmelie de Forest
2014 – Austria, ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ performed by Conchita Wurst
2015 – Sweden ‘Heroes’ performed by Mans Zelmerlow
2016 – Ukraine, ‘1944’ performed by Jamala
2017 – Portugal, ‘Amar pelos dois’ performed by Salvador Sobral
2018 – Israel, ‘Toy’ performed by Netta
2019 – Netherlands, ‘Arcade’ performed by Duncan Laurence
2020 – The competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 – Italy, ‘Zitti e Buoni’ performed by Måneskin
2022 – Ukraine, ‘Stefania’ performed by Kalush Orchestra
2023 – Sweden, ‘Tattoo’ performed by Loreen
2024 – Switzerland, ‘The Code’ performed by Nemo
2025 – Austria, ‘Wasted Love’ performed by JJ
Where Is The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest Being Hosted?
As is customary with the Eurovision Song Contest – which is about to enter it’s 70th edition – the following event is often held in the capital city of the current winner. Therefore, the 2026 contest will be held in Vienna, Austria (Wiener Stadthalle). However, winning nations can decline to host the following edition. It can then be awarded to that year’s runner-up.
When Is The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest?
The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest will take place between May 12-16. The First Eurovision Semi-Final odds are online ahead of Tuesday’s (May 12) showdown. The Second Eurovision Semi-Final betting market is also online ahead of Thursday’s (May 14) action.
In terms of the Grand Final, that will take place on Saturday (May 16). All three live events will start at 8pm BST.
- First Semi-Final – 12/05/2026 – 8pm UK (9pm CEST)
- Second Semi-Final – 14/05/2026 – 8pm UK (9pm CEST)
- Grand Final – 16/05/2026 – 8pm UK (9pm CEST)
How To Watch The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest In The UK
The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is available to watch live in the UK on BBC One with streaming available on BBC iPlayer. That includes both semi-finals as well as the grand final. All three events will get underway at 8pm BST and the contest is also available via BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
Who Is The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest Favourite?
The 2026 Eurovision favourites are Finland. The Nordic nation are available at 5/4 which strongly implies they will be there or there abouts come Saturday night. Greece are the second favourites at 11/4 with Denmark completing the top three at 6/1. The UK are online at 150/1.
If you intend to bet on the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest then please take the time to read through BetVictor’s safe and responsible gambling page which will provide good advice on how to stay in control when betting on entertainment.
Any betting decisions should be made responsibly and there are no guarantees when it comes to outcomes. Odds correct as of 2:30pm May 12 2026.
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