Eurovision betting moves differently from sports. Songs rise or fall within days, rehearsals shake up expectations, and a single staging change can push a country from outsider to favourite. Bettors usually watch how each entry lands online, how the juries react during rehearsals, and whether the live performance matches the buzz.
With clear odds for every stage of the contest and new information dropping throughout Eurovision week, the online betting markets stay active right up until the final votes come in.
Eurovision isn’t just the big night. The contest builds over months, and bettors follow different parts of the season because each stage reveals something new - rehearsal leaks, staging changes, live vocals, and how fans react when clips start circulating.
Countries like Sweden, Norway, and Italy run huge selection shows to choose their entry. These events often give the first clues about which artists can hold a live stage. Melodifestivalen, Sanremo, and Norway’s MGP usually draw the most betting interest.
The first semi often shows how the year will play out. Voters get their first look at staging, and songs that looked safe on paper sometimes fall flat. Bettors watch the qualification odds closely during rehearsals.
The second semi tends to feel tighter because many fan favourites end up here. Running order matters a lot, and quick shifts happen once live snippets hit social media.
This is where everything comes together. Jury votes land first, televotes flip the board, and one strong performance late in the night can completely rewrite the outcome. Countries with proven staging teams usually get the early support.
Eurovision odds shift quickly because every rehearsal, clip, or staging change can move the board. Bettors usually stick to a handful of markets that react clearly to new information.
The main market. Odds move the most here, especially once rehearsal footage appears. A song that looks “middle of the pack” in studio form can jump once people see how it works live.
Useful for entries with solid support but limited winning chances. Strong jury songs often land here even if the televote doesn’t fully connect.
One of the busiest Eurovision markets. Some countries qualify almost every year, while others depend heavily on staging or diaspora support. Rehearsal clips usually decide the late movement.
Eurovision splits the vote, and some songs clearly lean one way. Clean vocals tend to lift jury scores; big moments and crowd-pleasers usually land with the televote.
Much narrower than the outright market but often easier to read. A standout performance usually carries enough momentum to top its semi.
A quicker way to bet when you don’t want to pick a single country. Useful in years where one region sends multiple strong entries.
Two countries, one finishes higher. Handy when the board feels uncertain but you’re confident about a specific pairing after rehearsals.
Eurovision changes a lot once rehearsals start. Songs that looked strong on paper can fade, and others suddenly click when people see them on stage. Most bettors end up watching how the crowd reacts, how steady the vocals are, and whether the performance actually works in the arena before they make any call.
Eurovision has had a few winners that didn’t look like contenders early on. Some entries grew slowly, others lifted once people saw the staging, and a couple were simply overlooked until the last minute. These five stand out because the odds were nowhere near “favourite” territory when the season began.
A quiet ballad that didn’t make much noise at first. Once Sobral performed it live, the juries reacted instantly and the price collapsed.
Italy wasn’t at the top of the board early on. Måneskin’s staging hit hard, the crowd connected, and televoters carried the rest.
Early odds put the Netherlands in mid-range territory. After “Arcade” picked up momentum online, everything shifted.
Austria wasn’t treated as a serious contender early in the season. The staging reveal changed everything - once people saw the performance, the odds tightened fast, and by the final night Conchita surged on both jury and televote.
Not a winner, but one of the biggest jumps ever seen. Switzerland went from near the bottom of qualification predictions to a top-ten finish.
Yes, especially once rehearsals begin. A song can sit quietly in the middle of the odds for weeks and suddenly jump once people see the staging.
Some have consistent staging teams, strong vocalists, or a fanbase that always shows up in the televote. It doesn’t guarantee anything, but it helps on the qualification line.
Most years, yes. Juries lean toward vocals and clean staging. The televote often picks songs with big moments or emotional pull.
It can. Songs placed late in the final tend to stick in people’s heads longer, while entries in the first few spots need something memorable to stand out.
Live performances give the first real look at how stable a singer is. If someone struggles early, bettors take notice.
Top 5, Top 10, semi-final qualifiers, and head-to-head bets are all common. They’re often easier to read than the outright market.