Draft:Eurovision Running Order Draw
 | Draft article not currently submitted for review.
This is a draft Articles for creation (AfC) submission. It is not currently pending review. While there are no deadlines, abandoned drafts may be deleted after six months. To edit or make changes to this draft, simply click on the "Edit" tab at the top of the window. To be accepted, a draft should:
It is strongly discouraged to write about either yourself or your business or employer. If you do so, you must declare it. Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
Last edited by Kikiklxik (talk | contribs) 3 days ago. (Update) |
Eurovision Running Order Draw refers to the various drawing procedures historically used to determine the order in which countries participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. The procedures have changed considerably throughout the history of the contest. While the running order was traditionally determined by drawing lots, since 2013 the exact running order has been determined by the show's producers, subject to approval by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).[1]
The drawing of lots remains an important part of the Eurovision Song Contest. Since the introduction of the semi-final system, separate Semi-Final Allocation Draws have been used to determine which semi-final participating countries will compete in. The draws may also determine whether a country performs in the first or second half of its semi-final. The automatic finalists also participate in a draw to determine which semi-final they will broadcast and vote in.[2]
The purpose of the drawing procedures has therefore changed over time. Originally, randomisation was primarily used to determine the order of performances and to prevent participating broadcasters from selecting their own positions. Following the expansion of the contest and the introduction of semi-finals, additional draws were introduced to distribute countries between the shows. In the modern contest, random draws determine certain aspects of the allocation, while the exact running order is constructed by the production team.
History
[edit]For much of the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, the running order was established through a random draw. The procedure was intended to provide an impartial method of determining when each participating entry would perform during the broadcast.
As the number of participating countries increased, the organisation of the contest became more complex. A semi-final was introduced in 2004, followed by the introduction of two semi-finals in 2008. This created the need for a separate allocation procedure to determine which countries would participate in each semi-final.[3]
From 2008, countries participating in the semi-finals were divided into several pots based on historical voting patterns. Countries were then drawn from the pots into the two semi-finals. The system was intended to reduce the likelihood of countries with strong historical voting relationships being concentrated in the same semi-final.[4]
A major change was introduced in 2013, when the exact running order ceased to be determined entirely by random draw. Instead, the producers of the shows began constructing the running order after the participating entries had been selected. The system allowed the production team to create a varied television programme while retaining randomisation for certain aspects of the allocation process.[5]
Semi-Final Allocation Draw
[edit]The Semi-Final Allocation Draw determines which semi-final each participating country will compete in. It also determines the half of the semi-final in which the country will perform.
The draw is normally held several months before the contest. Participating countries are divided into a number of pots, which are generally based on historical voting patterns. Countries are subsequently drawn from the pots and allocated to the two semi-finals.[6]
The host country and the Big Five countries - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom - qualify automatically for the Grand Final and therefore do not compete in the semi-finals. They nevertheless participate in the allocation procedure to determine which semi-final they will broadcast and vote in.
Introduction of the pot system
[edit]The two-semi-final format was introduced in 2008. The participating countries were divided into six pots based primarily on geographical considerations and historical voting patterns. Countries were then drawn from the pots into the two semi-finals.[7]
The use of pots was intended to distribute countries with similar voting patterns between the two semi-finals. The system has subsequently been modified several times as the number of participating countries and the statistical methods used to determine the pots have changed.[8]
Pots
[edit]The composition of the pots has varied between editions of the contest. The following table illustrates the principle used by the allocation system:
| Pot | Basis for allocation |
|---|---|
| Pot 1 | Countries grouped according to historical voting patterns |
| Pot 2 | Countries grouped according to historical voting patterns |
| Pot 3 | Countries grouped according to historical voting patterns |
| Pot 4 | Countries grouped according to historical voting patterns |
| Pot 5 | Countries grouped according to historical voting patterns |
| Pot 6 | Countries grouped according to historical voting patterns |
The number of pots has not been identical in every edition. The composition has been published by the EBU before each allocation draw.
Semi-Final Allocation Draw History
[edit]2008
[edit]The 2008 contest was the first Eurovision Song Contest to use two semi-finals. A total of 38 countries were required to compete in one of the two semi-finals, while the host country, Serbia, and the four largest financial contributors to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) — France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom — qualified directly for the final.[9]
The semi-final allocation draw was held at the Belgrade City Assembly on 28 January 2008. It was hosted by Jovana Janković and Željko Joksimović, who later presented the contest itself.[10]
The 38 semi-finalists were divided into six pots on the basis of voting history and geographical considerations. The allocation was seeded in an attempt to separate countries with significant historical voting relationships. The draw first established the two semi-finals and then distributed countries from each pot between them.[11]
Draw procedure
[edit]Two envelopes containing the names Semi-Final 1 and Semi-Final 2 were drawn at the beginning of the allocation procedure. Three countries from each of Pots 1–4 were allocated to each semi-final. Pots 5 and 6 contained seven countries each; after three countries had been allocated to each semi-final, one country remained in each pot. The remaining country in Pot 5 was allocated to the semi-final represented by the first envelope drawn, while the remaining country in Pot 6 was allocated to the other semi-final.[12]
The exact running order was determined separately at the Heads of Delegation meeting on 17 March 2008. Thus, the January draw determined the allocation of countries to the two semi-finals, rather than their eventual performance positions within the shows.[13]
Allocation pots
[edit]The pots were announced on 24 January 2008. They contained 38 countries in total, with Pots 1–4 containing six countries each and Pots 5–6 containing seven countries each.[14]
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 | Pot 5 | Pot 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pot 1
[edit]| Pot 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Before the draw | Result of the draw | |
|
||
Pot 2
[edit]| Pot 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Before the draw | Result of the draw | |
Pot 3
[edit]| Pot 3 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Before the draw | Result of the draw | |
|
||
Pot 4
[edit]| Pot 4 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Before the draw | Result of the draw | |
Pot 5
[edit]| Pot 5 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Before the draw | Result of the draw | |
The additional country remaining in Pot 5 was allocated to the semi-final represented by the first envelope drawn.[15]
Pot 6
[edit]| Pot 6 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Before the draw | Result of the draw | |
|
| |
The additional country remaining in Pot 6 was allocated to the other semi-final represented by the second envelope drawn.[16]
Final allocation
[edit]The resulting allocation produced 19 competing countries in each semi-final.[17]
| Semi-Final 1 | Semi-Final 2 |
|---|---|
Voting allocation for the automatic finalists
[edit]The allocation draw also determined which semi-final the automatic finalists would vote in. Germany and Spain were assigned voting rights in the first semi-final, while France, the United Kingdom and host country Serbia were assigned voting rights in the second semi-final.[18]
| Country | Status | Semi-final |
|---|---|---|
 Germany |
Automatic finalist | Semi-Final 1 |
 Spain |
Automatic finalist | Semi-Final 1 |
 France |
Automatic finalist | Semi-Final 2 |
 United Kingdom |
Automatic finalist | Semi-Final 2 |
 Serbia |
Host country | Semi-Final 2 |
The automatic finalists could broadcast both semi-finals, but their viewers could vote only in the semi-final to which their country had been assigned.[19]
Determining the semi-final running order
[edit]Following the allocation draw, countries are assigned to the first or second half of their respective semi-final through a further draw.
The exact position within the semi-final is not normally selected at random. Instead, the producers construct the running order after the entries and performances have been determined. This system has been used since 2013.
Grand Final
[edit]The Grand Final has historically used a separate procedure for determining the running order. In the earlier years of the contest, the order of performances was determined through drawing lots.
The introduction of the producer-determined running order in 2013 changed the procedure. Finalists continued to participate in random draws determining the part of the show in which they could perform, while the exact position was subsequently determined by the producers.
Pre-2013 system
[edit]Before 2013, the running order of the Grand Final was determined through a random draw. Each participating country received a position in the running order.
The system provided a simple method of determining the order of performances, but it also meant that the organisers had limited control over the structure of the television programme.
2013 reform
[edit]In 2013, the EBU introduced a new system under which the exact running order was constructed by the producers of the show.
The change was intended to give the production team greater flexibility when arranging the performances. Factors such as the musical style of an entry, staging requirements and the overall flow of the television programme could be considered when constructing the running order.
The random draw was retained for determining whether finalists would perform in the first or second half of the Grand Final.
Modern system
[edit]In the modern Eurovision Song Contest, the running order is therefore determined through a combination of random allocation and production decisions.
The allocation draw determines certain structural elements, such as the semi-final in which a country participates and the half of the show in which it may perform. The exact running order is subsequently created by the producers and approved through the contest's production procedures.
Evolution of the draw
[edit]| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 1956–2003 | Running-order procedures were based on drawing lots, with the exact procedure changing over the history of the contest. |
| 2004 | A semi-final was introduced as the number of participating countries increased. |
| 2008 | Two semi-finals were introduced and a pot-based allocation draw was established. |
| 2011 | The allocation draw also played a role in determining the order in which delegations were scheduled for rehearsals. |
| 2013 | The exact running order was no longer determined entirely by random draw and began to be constructed by the show's producers. |
| 2013–present | Random draws continued to determine semi-final allocation and other elements of the running order. |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Rules of the Eurovision Song Contest". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Semi-Final Allocation Draw". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2008". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Semi-Final Allocation Draw". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ hulluna (2012-11-08). "Eurovision 2013: Running Order Rule Change Controversy". The Eurovision Times. Retrieved 2026-09-30.
- ↑ "Semi-Final Allocation Draw". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2008". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Eurovision 2026 Vienna Semi Final Allocation Draw Pots Revealed". ESCXTRA.com. Retrieved 2026-09-30.
- ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2008". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2008". Wikipedia. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2008". Wikipedia. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2008". Wikipedia. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2008". Wikipedia. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2008". Wikipedia. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2008". Wikipedia. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2008". Wikipedia. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ Klier, Marcus (2008-03-17). "Eurovision Live: Eurovision 2008 - Draw of the running order - ESCToday.com". Eurovision News, Polls and Information by ESCToday. Retrieved 2026-09-30.
- ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2008". Wikipedia. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2008". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 30 September 2026.