Quiz of the Day
Eurovision
Tuesday, 12 May 2026
Eurovision Semi-Final 1 in Vienna — Eurovision history, winning songs, host cities
1. What year was the first Eurovision Song Contest held?
- 1956
- 1960
- 1950
- 1946
The first Eurovision was held in Lugano, Switzerland with just 7 countries. Switzerland won with 'Refrain' by Lys Assia. There was no voting system yet — a jury simply chose the winner behind closed doors.
2. Which country has won Eurovision the most times?
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- France
Ireland has won Eurovision 7 times, including three consecutive wins (1992-1994) featuring Riverdance as the 1994 interval act. Sweden is close behind with 7 wins as well. The UK has won 5 times but also holds records for last place.
3. Which non-European country participates in Eurovision?
- Japan
- Brazil
- Canada
- Australia
Australia has competed since 2015 as a 'special guest' due to the show's massive popularity there. Eurovision regularly draws over 1 million Australian viewers — at 5 AM their time. Israel has also competed since 1973.
4. What song catapulted ABBA to international fame at Eurovision 1974?
- Mamma Mia
- Waterloo
- Dancing Queen
- Fernando
ABBA's 'Waterloo' won in Brighton, England. The group went on to become one of the best-selling music acts in history. The song was voted the best Eurovision song of all time at the contest's 50th anniversary.
5. What is the 'douze points' (12 points) in Eurovision?
- The entry fee
- The contest duration in hours
- The number of judges
- The maximum points a country can give to another
The phrase 'douze points' has become Eurovision's most iconic catchphrase. Each country awards 1-8, 10, and 12 points to their top 10 songs. Since 2016, both jury and public votes are announced separately, doubling the drama.
6. Which Eurovision winner went on to achieve the most global chart success?
- Céline Dion
- ABBA
- Lordi
- Måneskin
While Céline Dion won Eurovision for Switzerland in 1988, ABBA's combined record sales (over 385 million) make them the most commercially successful Eurovision act ever. Måneskin (2021 winners) have revitalised rock globally.
7. What is a 'nul points' in Eurovision?
- A tie-breaker
- A disqualification
- A perfect score
- Receiving zero points
Nul points is Eurovision's most dreaded outcome. Norway holds the record with 4 nul points finishes. The UK's Jemini received nul points in 2003 — partly blamed on performing noticeably out of tune on live television.
8. What language rule changed Eurovision forever in 1999?
- All songs must be in English
- Only native languages allowed
- All songs must be in French
- Countries can sing in any language
Before 1999 (with a brief exception in 1973-1977), countries had to sing in their national language. The free language rule led to a surge in English-language entries, though winners in non-English languages remain common.
9. Which Eurovision host city will hold the 2026 contest?
- Liverpool
- Malmö
- Basel
- Vienna
Vienna last hosted Eurovision in 2015, the year of Conchita Wurst's iconic hosting. As Austria's capital, Vienna is famed for its music heritage — Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss all lived and worked there.
10. What makes Eurovision the world's largest live music event?
- The number of performers
- The venue size
- The viewership — about 160-180 million worldwide
- The number of competing countries
Eurovision is broadcast to over 180 million viewers across 40+ countries — more than the Super Bowl. It's the longest-running annual international TV music competition and the most-watched non-sporting event in the world.
11. What unique act won Eurovision for Finland in 2006?
- A classical orchestra
- A children's choir
- A puppet act
- A heavy metal band in monster costumes (Lordi)
Lordi's 'Hard Rock Hallelujah' won with 292 points — the highest score at the time. Finnish Parliament debated whether the act was appropriate for the country's image. Lordi never publicly revealed their faces.
12. How many countries typically compete in Eurovision each year?
- About 15
- About 26
- About 37
- About 50
Around 37-40 countries typically enter, but only 26 perform in the Grand Final. The 'Big Five' (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain) plus the host country automatically qualify for the final — everyone else must survive the semi-finals.
13. What controversial voting practice is Eurovision famous for?
- Random voting
- Judges voting for themselves
- Secret ballots
- Political and neighbourly voting blocs
Scandinavian countries frequently vote for each other, as do former Soviet and Balkan nations. Greece and Cyprus almost always exchange 12 points. The introduction of a 50% jury vote in 2009 was partly designed to counter this.
14. Which drag queen won Eurovision 2014 and became a global icon?
- RuPaul
- Conchita Wurst
- Verka Serduchka
- Dana International
Tom Neuwirth, performing as bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst, won with 'Rise Like a Phoenix' for Austria. The victory was seen as a milestone for LGBTQ+ rights in Europe, though it drew backlash from some conservative countries.
15. What happened when Spain's Julio Iglesias competed in Eurovision 1970?
- He came fourth and launched his global career
- He won first place
- He forgot the lyrics
- He was disqualified
Julio Iglesias finished 4th with 'Gwendolyne' but used the exposure to launch a career spanning 50+ years and 300+ million records sold. Other pre-fame Eurovision competitors include Olivia Newton-John (1974) and Katrina and the Waves (winners, 1997).