Eurovision betting is back on the radar as the 2022 edition of the singing contest gets underway in Italy this year.
In this Eurovision betting preview, we take a look at the latest odds to be found on the competition, some history and this year’s leading contenders.
For this year’s edition of Eurovision, there are 40 countries taking part. Surprisingly the UK has one of the leading contenders.
Eurovision Betting Odds 20222
Ukraine 4/6
The United Kingdom 11/2
Italy 11/2
Sweden 7/1
Spain 16/1
Poland 28/1
Greece 28/1
Norway 45/1
Netherlands 80/1
Serbia 80/1
Portugal 80/1
100/1 bar
* (odds recorded at 03:19 GMT on May 9th, 2022 at Bet365)
Eurovision betting details 2022
The 2022 Eurovision Song Contest is being hosted in Turin, Italy and it will be the 66th edition of the spectacle.
Italy gets to host after Maneskin won the 2021 Eurovision with “Zitti e buoni” and the competition starts this week with the semi-finals.
Key Facts – Eurovision 2022 Dates
- Semi Final 1 – 10th May 2022
- Semi Final 2 – 12th May 2022
- Final – 14th May 2022
About the Eurovision Song Contest
Since 1956 the Eurovision Song Contest has been held annually, with the odd exception. The tournament has gone through a lot of changes during its time.
The entry rules are for acts between 1 and 6 people who are at least 16 years old.
Members of the European Broadcast Union get to participate along with invited associate members.
Each country awards points to the other, both from their official judge for the current edition and from a public vote.
As for records, Germany has participated in the most Eurovision Song Contests, while Ireland lead the way for victories, with seven wins.
The winning nation gets to host Eurovision the following year.
Last year, pre-recorded backing vocals were permitted in the Eurovision and that is the same for 2022. Acts do have a choice to use live back up singers if they want.
The competition starts with the semi-finals and from there, 10 nations from each semi will move through to the Eurovision Grand Final.
Eurovision Big Five
The way that Eurovision is set up, there is a Big Five. Those are the UK, Spain, Germany, France and Italy. There are the nations that automatically have the right to compete as they are the largest financial contributors to the contest.
In 2004, it was determined that the Big Five all get to bypass the semi-finals of Eurovision along with the reigning champion. The 2022 Champions being Italy, it’s just the Big Five who are already through to the final.
For Eurovision betting that means that those nations are commonly found towards the head of the market, as they can’t get eliminated at the first stage.
Eurovision Betting Odds Top Big 5
Italy 10/11
UK 13/10
Spain 11/2
France 221
Germany 150/1
* (odds recorded at 03:19 GMT on May 9th, 2022 at Bet365).
Great Britain at Eurovision 2022
The UK is 11/2 in the outright for Eurovision betting odds 2022* (odds recorded at 03:19 GMT on May 9th, 2022 at Bet365).
Sam Ryder from Essex, who is a TikTok star, is Britain’s entry with his song Space Man. He’s looking to bring some high energy to the table.
For the first time in a long while, it genuinely looks as if the UK does have a leading contender at Eurovision. Ryder has been doing the media rounds across Europe drumming up potential support.
The word from the world of Eurovision is that the British act has gone down very well, impressing fans.
An extra benefit that the UK has at Eurovision 2022 is that Ryder is the only one of the Big Five entrants who is performing in the second half of the show.
Ukraine Eurovision Odds
For a while now it has been the Ukraine that has been trading as favourites in Eurovision betting.
Ukraine is 4/6 to land the victory* (odds recorded at 03:19 GMT on May 9th, 2022 at Bet365).
Represented by Kalush Orchestra with a song called Stefania, the entry mixes traditional Ukrainian music with some rapping thrown into the mix.
Ukraine has won Eurovision twice before since joining the competition 19 years ago.
The most recent success that Ukraine had at the Eurovision Song Contest was in 2016, therefore getting to host the following year.
Last 10 Eurovision Winners
| Year | Winning Nation | Song Title | Artist | Language |
| 2021 | Italy | Zitti e buoni | Maneskin | Italian |
| 2020 | cancelled | – | – | – |
| 2019 | Netherlands | Arcade | Duncan Laurence | English |
| 2018 | Israel | Toy | Netta | English |
| 2017 | Portugal | Amar pelos dois | Salvador Sobral | Portuguese |
| 2016 | Ukraine | 1944 | Jamala | Crimean Tatar, English |
| 2015 | Sweden | Heroes | Mans Zalmerlow | English |
| 2013 | Austria | Rise Like A Phoenix | Conchita Wurst | English |
| 2012 | Denmark | Only Teardrops | Emmelie de Forest | English |
| 2011 | Sweden | Euphoria | Loreen | English |
| 2010 | Azerbaijan | Running Scared | Ell and Nikki | English |
Italy seek back to back Eurovision Song Contest wins
Can reigning champions Italy make it back to back wins at Eurovision?
Last year they reigned supreme with rock group Maneskin delivering the victory.
Since landing that title, they have gone to be a huge success on both sides of the Atlantic.
Italy is current joint second-favourites at 11/2 in Eurovision Song Contest betting 2022 alongside the UK* (odds recorded at 03:19 GMT on May 9th, 2022 at Bet365).
This year representing Italy is Mahmood and Blanco with their song Brividi.
The two artists have topped the charts in Italy and 2019 Mahmood was a solo entry for Italy at Eurovision, finishing as runner up.
Italy has taken Eurovision more and more seriously in recent years, tending to send chart acts that are currently popular, to the competition.
Sweden always a strong contender
The only other nation at single figures in Eurovision betting odds 2022 is Sweden at 7/1* (odds recorded at 03:19 GMT on May 9th, 2022 at Bet365).
Representing the country is Cornelia Jakobs with Hold Me Closer.
Sweden is one of the big players at Eurovision and you generally expect strong entries from them.
They have a huge qualifying competition across the nation from which the entry is selected.
The husky-voiced Jakobs is the star of the show in this one, dialling back the stage dramatics to a simple platform to let her voice shine.
Sweden has won Eurovision twice in the last decade and can’t be ruled out.
Spain to spring a surprise in Eurovision betting 2022?
From 16/1 in the current Eurovision betting market, Spain looks like a decent each-way selection* (odds recorded at 03:19 GMT on May 9th, 2022 at Bet365).
They are coming in with a big high-tempo dance, not a style that has thrived particularly well recently.
Spain is still seeking their first-ever Eurovision crown.
Latin pop star Chanel Terrero is fronting the challenge for Spain at Eurovision, as it’s a big dance number in both vocals and stage act.
