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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Ryan Paton

Eurovision 2023: Why does the UK automatically qualify for grand final?

Liverpool is buzzing after the Eurovision Song Contest officially arrived in the city.

One of the world's great parties officially got underway yesterday with a welcome event at St George's Hall. This was the opening of a whole host of events that will culminate in the Grand Final at the M&S Bank Arena on Saturday.

The UK is represented by Mae Muller, who is hoping to be crowned winner with her entry I Wrote A Song. However, fans may be confused that they won't get to see the 25-year-old perform in any of this week's semi finals.

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This is because the UK is one of the big five that automatically qualified to the grand final. The UK automatically progress to the grand final alongside France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Explaining the Big Five, the official Eurovision website explains: "The Big Five are the Participating Broadcasters from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom - the group of countries who via their broadcasters make the biggest financial contribution towards the organisation of the Contest."

The host country also progresses to the Grand Final of Eurovision Contest so Ukraine will also progress to the final as the UK is hosting the contest on behalf of last year's winner due to Russia's invasion.

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