Stockholm 2016

43 countries to compete in Stockholm!

After many months of rumours, uncertainty, confirmations, withdrawals and some re-confirmations, we finally have a concrete list of who will be travelling to Stockholm. 43 countries in total have signed up, including Australia, who were invited back last week on a more long-term basis.
The complete list of participating countries is as follows:
Albania
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
FYR Macedonia
Malta
Moldova
Montenegro
The Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Serbia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
United Kingdom
EBU Executive Supervisor Jon Ola Sand said of the line-up:

“We are proud to see broadcasters from 43 countries sign up for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. We have put a lot of effort into bringing together as many countries as possible and this number reflects that. To see all these different countries and cultures come together, despite the challenges Europe and the world face today, shows the power of music and the enduring appeal of the Eurovision Song Contest.”

All of last year’s competing countries are present except for Portugal, who withdrew from the competition last month. However, we see returns from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ukraine, Croatia and Bulgaria making this the biggest starting line-up since the 2011 contest in Düsseldorf, equalling the all-time record for most competing countries set in 2008 and 2011.

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