Some fans don’t have to wait a long time until their country gets to host Eurovision (again). And those lucky fans are mainly from the United Kingdom. Yes, dear UK fans – even if it’s been a while since the last time, believe it or not, you are among the luckiest ones with only one waiting period lasting longer than 20 years. Other fortunate souls come from Ireland, or Sweden. But that’s where it ends. Other fans have to be more patient, as they come from countries where hosting the Eurovision Song Contest is more of a historic milestone.

These are the top ten countries that have had the longest waiting time to host the Eurovision Song Contest again or for the first time:

10. Switzerland: 33 years

I don’t mean the time from Lausanne 1989 to now, no. The Swiss fans of 1989 had to wait even longer than the generation of 2018: 33 years passed between the country hosting the first ever Eurovision Song Contest in Lugano until doing so again in Lausanne.

The year of Bana Bana and Conquistador

9. Denmark: 37 years

Younger fans might think Denmark is one of the more successful countries at Eurovision, but in fact they had to wait 37 years, from the arcane Copenhagen 1964, until they could host the event again in the Danish capital – recorded for posterity this time, but also with bad rhymes – in 2001.

Rhyme on the wings of love…

8. Cyprus: 37 (38) years

It’s been 37 years since Cyprus first participated in the contest, and it yet has to take the trophy and the event home to the island. Since they obviously aren’t hosting it this year, it’ll be at least 38 years of waiting for Cypriot fans.

7. The Netherlands: 38 (39) years

38 years have passed since the Netherlands last hosted the event. That’s even more years than the number of telephones used in the voting of that contest. The wait for the next contest in the Netherlands will last at least 39 years.

6. France: 40 (41) years

40 years since artists came on stage using an elevator, and at least 41 years until France can host the contest again.

5. Finland: 46 years

Yes, you read that right. Finland is only fifth on the list, not second or third. Fifth. Who would have thought? There were 46 years between the Nordic country first taking part in the contest and finally getting to host it in the homeland of Santa Claus and tango.

Eurovision in Finland – featuring the longest semi-final in history.

4. Malta: 47 (48) years

47 years since the first Maltese participation, at least 48 years until the island state can host the contest (and it doesn’t look like it will). At least they’ve had Junior Eurovision to fall back on.

3. Austria: 48 years

It took 48 years from “I hope our technical order, I mean disorder, will be in order” to remembering the late Udo Jürgens on the stage of Vienna 2015. That’s a long time waiting for the Austrian fans, but two countries had or have to wait even longer…

2. Spain: 49 (50) years

Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Spain? It is less likely than many other options, but it’s still one of the more possible scenarios. If that happens, then Spanish fans will have waited 50 years. Otherwise it’s going to be 51, or 52, or 53, and maybe eventually even longer than…

1. Portugal: 54 loooong years

Portugal has won the Eurovision Song Contest. Portugal will host the Eurovision Song Contest. 54 years after the Atlantic country entered the Eurovision family back in 1964. That’s an awfully long time. 54 years. And it all begins this weekend. I was in the hall when Finland won, I was in Vienna when Austria hosted again, and I am incredibly happy to be able to attend the first Eurovision Song Contest in Portugal.

Everybody, do me a favour:

Enjoy the Eurovision Song Contest in Portugal.

Title image source: Thomas Hanses (eurovision.tv)