Overview
The Eurovision Song Contest 2015 was the sixtieth edition of the long-running international song competition. It was staged in Vienna in Austria after Austria's victory the previous year by Conchita Wurst, who had won the 2014 contest in Copenhagen in Denmark. The event took place in May 2015 and followed the established format of two televised semi-finals and a grand final.
Format and venue
The show was organized by the Austrian broadcaster and staged at the Wiener Stadthalle. As with recent editions, participating countries took part in one of two semi-finals from which qualifiers advanced to the final. Each entry was evaluated by a combination of national juries and public televoting, a system designed to balance professional assessment and popular preference.
Participants and notable facts
A total of forty countries took part in 2015. For the 60th anniversary Australia was invited to participate as a one-off special guest, marking the first time a non-European Broadcasting Union member competed in the contest. Several countries returned to the lineup after absences, while at least one nation withdrew, citing political and logistical reasons for its non-participation.
Result and legacy
The contest was won by Sweden. The 2015 edition was noted for its anniversary celebrations, the inclusion of Australia, and continued discussions about the contest's role as a cultural as well as a musical event. The show reinforced Eurovision's mix of pop performance, national representation and television spectacle, and contributed to ongoing conversations about voting, diversity and the competition's evolving audience.
Additional notes
- Dates: the live shows were held in May with two semi-finals preceding the final weekend.
- Host broadcaster and venue: organized by Austria's national broadcaster and produced at Wiener Stadthalle.
- Anniversary significance: the 60th edition prompted special appearances and broader international interest.