BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Competition in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Tuesday, with sauna-loving Swedish entry KAJ gaining a place in the final and five countries going home after the first of two semifinals of the pan-continental music extravaganza.

The Eurovision party is officially underway: a week of power pop, outrageous outfits — and, inevitably, protests — that culminates in the final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night. Competitors representing 37 countries are in the Swiss city of Basel for disco diplomacy and one of the world’s biggest spectacles.

The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals will be held on Tuesday, May 13 and Thursday, May 15 at Basel’s St Jakobshalle indoor arena. The final, held at the same venue, will take place on Saturday, May 17. Each show will begin at 8pm BST (9pm CEST).

Eurovision Director Martin Green tells Deadline he has big plans to expand the Song Contest worldwide as he prepares for the 2025 show in Basel, Switzerland.

Meanwhile, Celine Dion delivered a pre-recorded address during Tuesday’s semi-final amid speculation she may return to Switzerland,

LONDON (AP) — “Doctor Who” and Eurovision unite for an evening of music and intergalactic adventure on Saturday — all thanks to Russell T Davies. Before fans tune in for the annual song contest, they can enjoy Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor and Varada Sethu’s Belinda Chandra attending the Interstellar Song Contest in an episode of the sci-fi series.

EXCLUSIVE: Express reporter Fran Winston caught up with Eurovision Song Contest favourites KAJ who admitted they didn't even expect to be in the show.

BASEL, Switzerland — Competition in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest kicks off Tuesday, with performers from 15 countries battling it out in Basel, Switzerland during the first of two semifinals of the pan-continental music extravaganza.