Eurovision record breakers: Which countries have most victories
Eurovision’s main record holders (photo: Getty Images)
Over the years of Eurovision, some countries have repeatedly become winners of the contest and have entered history thanks to these records. They are remembered for their striking performances and number of victories.
RBC-Ukraine reports which countries have won the most often and what position Ukraine holds in the ranking.
Eurovision’s main record holders
The leaders in the number of victories remain Ireland and Sweden. Both have seven wins in the history of the contest.
Ireland set a true record in the 1990s. The country won in 1970, 1980, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1996. Especially impressive is the streak of three consecutive victories — a result no other country has managed to repeat to this day.
Sweden is no less successful, having won in 1974, 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, 2015, and 2023. It was the Swedish group ABBA that brought the country its first victory with the legendary song “Waterloo,” which became a global hit and remains one of the most famous songs in the history of the contest.
Four more countries also have five Eurovision victories: the United Kingdom, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
The United Kingdom won in 1967, 1969, 1976, 1981, and 1997. France — in 1958, 1960, 1962, 1969, and 1977.
Luxembourg triumphed in 1961, 1965, 1972, 1973, and 1983, while the Netherlands won in 1957, 1959, 1969, 1975, and 2019.
Israel can boast four victories, having taken the lead in 1978, 1979, 1998, and 2018.
Three-time winners also include Denmark (1963, 2000, and 2013), Norway (1985, 1995, and 2009), Italy (1964, 1990, and 2021), and Ukraine (2004, 2016, and 2022).
Ukraine’s Eurovision results
Ukraine is also among the contest’s successful countries and has three victories. It is considered one of the most consistent participants in terms of performance results.
The country’s first victory was brought by Ruslana in 2004 with the song “Wild Dances.”
Just as memorable was the performance of Verka Serduchka, who won over Eurovision fans and became almost a regular guest star of the show. She performed in 2007 with the song “Dancing Lasha Tumbai” and took second place.
In 2016, Jamala won with the song “1944,” which was dedicated to the tragedy of the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people.
Ukraine’s third victory was brought by the band Kalush Orchestra in 2022 with the song “Stefania.”
Sources: Eurovision Song Contest, Wikipedia
