Israel won the 63rd Eurovision Song Contest with Netta's 'Toy', watched by 186 million viewers, equalling the record of 43 participating countries.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 63rd Eurovision Song Contest
- Participating countries
- 43 countries
- Winning song
- "Toy" by Netta, representing Israel
- TV viewership
- 186 million viewers
- Venue
- Altice Arena, Lisbon, Portugal
- Final date
- 12 May 2018
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Portugal earned the right to host the 2018 contest after Salvador Sobral won the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Amar pelos dois', marking Portugal's first-ever victory in the competition and obligating broadcaster RTP to stage the following edition.
The 63rd Eurovision Song Contest was held at the Altice Arena in Lisbon across two semi-finals on 8 and 10 May and a grand final on 12 May 2018. Forty-three countries participated, and Israel's Netta performed the winning entry 'Toy', written by Doron Medalie and Stav Beger. Cyprus achieved its best-ever result by finishing second, and the Czech Republic reached a new national best of sixth place.
Israel's victory obligated Israeli broadcasters to host the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. The 2018 edition drew 186 million viewers, surpassing the previous year by over four million, and set a milestone with no withdrawals among returning countries for the first time since 2011.
Work
Eurovision Song Contest 2018
Israel's victory with the empowerment-themed 'Toy' brought renewed attention to the contest's pop-music platform, while record viewership of 186 million and 43 participating nations underscored Eurovision's broad cultural reach across Europe and beyond.