Eurovision Grand Final Day: Everything you need to know about today in Liverpool

The huge Eurovision spectacular the city has been planning for all year is happening at last and we’re more than ready to bring the joy to a global audience and do Ukraine proud.

Whether you managed to get a golden ticket for the show at the Arena, you’re planning to see it on a big screen or have your own Eurovision watch party at home, here’s everything you need to know about Eurovision Grand Final day …

If you’re coming to the Arena for the Grand Final

First off, lucky you, because you’ll be the envy of millions of Eurovision fans tonight! Inside the Arena is looking unbelievable, so if you’ve not had sight of it yet then here it is …

The live show starts at 8pm and everyone will want to get in early to soak up the atmosphere. There are some things you’ll need to be aware of – you can’t take food or drink into the Arena and, although you can take a flag or banner to support your favourite country, it can’t be bigger than 0.5m x 1m. Security is obviously going to be tight, so the Arena is asking people not to take any bags in if possible, or to keep them to A4 size or smaller. No rucksacks, large handbags or suitcases are allowed in the auditorium.

Getting into the city centre

There’s going to be some road closures, mostly in and around the Arena and Pier Head for Euro Village. Closures are on Canada Boulevard and Mann Island until 11.59pm on Tuesday May 16. Also:

Georges Dock, Brunswick Street from Georges Dock to Canada Boulevard, St Nicholas Place adjacent to the Liver Building and Water Street from The Strand to Canada Boulevard will be closed until 11.59pm on May 16. For crowd safety, the Strand could be closed in both directions between Chapel Street and James Street for about 10 minutes post-event between 10pm and 1am.

Merseyrail has extended its timetable to run late night trains on Grand Final Saturday but remember that Lime Street underground and James Street station will both be closed for the Grand Final to help manage crowds so Wirral trains will only call at Central and trains on the Southport, Hunts Cross, Kirkby and Ormskirk lines will stop at Moorfields. 

Who’s on stage at the sold out Eurovision Village

*This event is completely sold out and you won’t get any access without a ticket!

Eurovision Village at the Pier Head has seen some amazing live performances all week, and Saturday is going to go out with a bang. This is the only ticketed day of the programme and they all sold out fast, but if you did get one here’s what to expect …

Doors open at 2pm and then there’s a live on-stage line-up including Vengaboys, Claire Richards from Steps, Katrina of Katrina and the Waves, Jedward’s Giant Euro-oke, Brooke, Dross, and Danielle Moore. After that it’s all eyes on the main event – the Grand Final Screening.

Don’t forget this event is sold out, so if you haven’t got a ticket, there’s no point trying to go near the Pier Head today.

In fact there are live screenings pretty much everywhere …

There’ll be no shortage of places to get your Eurovision fix on Saturday night because loads of bars and venues are showing it on their big screens so it’ll be hard to miss. Even cinemas are showing it live for the first time ever so you can get the popcorn in while the drama happens.

If you fancy somewhere a bit different then places to watch don’t come much more iconic than Aintree Racecourse, which is having a family-friendly screening of the Grand Final in its Red Rum Garden.

And if you haven’t already booked a ticket for somewhere, Baltic Market has got a free viewing party with two giant screens, live music from 6-8pm and room for 600 people seated and standing. 

Here’s what to expect if you’re watching on TV …

The Eurovision Grand Final will be broadcast live on Saturday at 8pm on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.

On stage presenting will be Eurovision legend Graham Norton, Alesha Dixon, actress Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian singer-songwriter, and frontwoman of The HARDKISS, Julia Sanina. Graham and Mel Giedroyc will take turns giving their commentary on BBC One and BBC iPlayer and Eurovision superfans Scott Mills and Rylan will have things well and truly covered for Radio 2.

Last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra will open the show, Sam Ryder will be performing in the first interval, and the final interval will be dedicated to Liverpool, celebrating the city’s incredible contribution to pop with six iconic past Eurovision acts – Israel’s Netta, Italy’s Mahmood, Iceland’s Daði Freyr, Duncan Laurence from the Netherlands, Sweden’s Cornelia Jakobs and our very own Sonia.

And the all-important Grand Final running order …

Scorecards at the ready, this is the order in which countries will perform:

1. Austria | Teya & Salena – Who The Hell Is Edgar?

2. Portugal | Mimicat – Ai Coração

3. Switzerland | Remo Forrer – Watergun

4. Poland | Blanka – Solo

5. Serbia | Luke Black – Samo Mi Se Spava

6. France: La Zarra – Évidemment

7. Cyprus | Andrew Lambrou – Break A Broken Heart

8. Spain: Blanca Paloma – Eaea

9. Sweden | Loreen – Tattoo

10. Albania | Albina & Familja Kelmendi – Duje

11. Italy: Marco Mengoni – Due Vite

12. Estonia | Alika – Bridges

13. Finland | Käärijä – Cha Cha Cha

14. Czechia | Vesna – My Sister’s Crown

15. Australia | Voyager – Promise

16. Belgium | Gustaph – Because Of You

17. Armenia | Brunette – Future Lover

18. Moldova | Pasha Parfeni – Soarele şi Luna

19. Ukraine: TVORCHI – Heart of Steel

20. Norway | Alessandra – Queen of Kings

21. Germany: Lord of the Lost – Blood & Glitter

22. Lithuania | Monika Linkytė – Stay

23. Israel | Noa Kirel – Unicorn

24. Slovenia | Joker Out – Carpe Diem

25. Croatia | Let 3 – Mama ŠČ!

26. United Kingdom: Mae Muller – I Wrote A Song

For all the latest Eurovision events click here.