Sweden made its Eurovision debut in 1958 and has gone on to be one of the contests most successful nations, launching careers for ABBA and Loreen.
Sweden in Eurovision
Sweden debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958 and has gone on to be one of the contest’s most successful countries. The country has won the contest 7 times – tying with Ireland, the most recent being in 2023. Abba´s win in Brighton 1974 with the song “Waterloo” marked Sweden’s first victory. Since missing out on the final in 2010 the country has gone on to finish 3rd twice and has won the contest three times. Only in 2013, 2021 and 2026 did the country place outside of the top 10 in the final.
- 1958 – Alice Babs – “Lilla stjärna” – 4th – 10 points
- 1959 – Brita Borg – “Augustin” – 9th – 4 points
- 1960 – Siw Malmkvist – “Alla andra får varann” – 10th – 4 points
- 1961 – Lill-Babs – “April, April” – 14th – 2 points
- 1962 – Inger Berggren – “Sol och vår” – 7th – 4 points
- 1963 – Monica Zetterlund – “En gång i Stockholm” – 13th – 0 points
- 1965 – Ingvar Wixell – “Absent Friend” – 10th – 6 points
- 1966 – Lill Lindfors and Svante Thuresson – “Nygammal vals” – 2nd – 6 points
- 1967 – Östen Warnerbring – “Som en dröm” – 8th – 7 points
- 1968 – Claes-Göran Hederström – “Det börjar verka kärlek, banne mig” – 5th – 15 points
- 1969 – Tommy Körberg – “Judy, min vän” – 9th – 8 points
- 1971 – Family Four – “Vita vidder” – 6th – 85 points
- 1972 – Family Four – “Härliga sommardag” – 13th – 75 points
- 1973 – The Nova – “You’re Summer” – 5th – 94 points
- 1974 – ABBA – “Waterloo” – 1st – 24 points
- 1975 (Host) – Lars Berhagen – “Jennie, Jennie” – 8th – 72 points
- 1977 – Forbes – “Beatles” – 18th – 2 points
- 1978 – Björn Skifs – “Det blir alltid värre framåt natten” – 14th – 26 points
- 1979 – Ted Gärdestad – “Satellit” – 17th – 8 points
- 1980 – Tomas Ledin – “Just nu” – 10th – 47 points
- 1981 – Björn Skifs – “Fångad i en dröm” – 10th – 50 points
- 1982 – Chips – “Dag efter dag” – 8th – 67 points
- 1983 – Carola Häggkvist – “Främling” – 3rd – 126 points
- 1984 – Herreys – “Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley” – 1st – 145 points
- 1985 (Host) – Kikki Danielsson – “Bra vibrationer” – 3rd – 103 points
- 1986 – Lasse Holm and Monica Törnell – “E’ de’ det här du kallar kärlek” – 5th – 78 points
- 1987 – Lotta Engberg – “Boogaloo” – 12th – 50 points
- 1988 – Tommy Körberg – “Stad i ljus” – 12th – 52 points
- 1989 – Tommy Nilsson – “En dag” – 4th – 110 points
- 1990 – Edin-Ådahl – “Som en vind” – 16th – 24 points
- 1991 – Carola – “Fångad av en stormvind” – 1st – 146 points
- 1992 (Host) – Christer Björkman – “I morgon är en annan dag” – 22nd – 9 points
- 1993 – Arvingarna – “Eloise” – 7th – 89 points
- 1994 – Marie Bergman and Roger Pontare – “Stjärnorna” – 13th – 48 points
- 1995 – Jan Johansen – “Se på mig” – 3rd – 100 points
- 1996 – On More Time – “Den vilda” – 3rd – 100 points
- 1997 – Blond – “Bara hon älskar mig” – 14th – 36 points
- 1998 – Jill Johnson – “Kärleken är” – 10th – 53 points
- 1999 – Charlotte Nilsson – “Take Me to Your Heaven” – 1st – 163 points
- 2000 (Host) – Roger Pontare – “When Spirits Are Calling My Name” – 7th – 88 points
- 2001 – Friends – “Listen to Your Heartbeat” – 5th – 100 points
- 2002 – Afro-dite – “Never Let It Go” – 8th – 72 points
- 2003 – Fame – “Give Me Your Love” – 5th – 107 points
- 2004 – Lena Philipsson – “It Hurts” – 5th – 170 points
- 2005 – Martin Stenmarck – “Las Vegas” – 19th – 30 points
- 2006 – Carola – “Invincible” – 5th – 170 points
- 2007 – The Ark – “The Worrying Kind” – 18th – 51 points
- 2008 – Charlotte Perrelli – “Hero” – 18th – 47 points
- 2009 – La Voix – “La Voix” – 21st – 33 points
- 2010 – Anna Bergendahl – “This Is My Life” – 11th in the Semi-Final – 62 points
- 2011 – Eric Saade – “Popular” – 3rd – 185 points
- 2012 – Loreen – “Euphoria” – 1st – 372 points
- 2013 (Host) – Robin Stjernberg – “You” – 14th – 62 points
- 2014 – Sanna Nielsen – “Undo” – 3rd – 218 points
- 2015 – Måns Zelmerlöw – “Heroes” – 1st – 365 points
- 2016 (Host) – Frans – “If I Were Sorry” – 5th – 261 points
- 2017 – Robin Bengtsson – “I Can’t Go On” – 5th – 344 points
- 2018 – Benjamin Ingrosso – “Dance You Off” – 7th – 274 points
- 2019 – John Lundvik – “Too Late for Love” – 5th – 334 points
- 2020 – The Mamas – “Move” – Contest cancelled due to COVID-19
- 2021 – Tusse – “Voices” – 14th – 109 points
- 2022 – Cornelia Jakobs – “Hold Me Closer” – 4th – 438 points
- 2023 – Loreen – “Tattoo” – 1st – 583 points
- 2024 – Marcus & Martinus – “Unforgettable” – 9th – 174 points
- 2025 – KAJ – “Bara bada bastu” – 4th – 321 points
- 2026 – Felicia – “My System” – 20th – 51 points
Sweden did not compete in 1964 due to a strike among Teaterförbundet members, but did still air the contest. In 1970, Sweden was one of a number of countries to withdraw in protest to a four-way tie for victory the year before. In 1976, Sweden did not enter as the broadcaster did not have the funds to stage the contest in 1977 if it should win.
Sweden and other Eurovision family events
Sweden has participated in multiple Eurovision family events and most recently hosted Eurovision Choir 2019.
Eurovision Choir
Gothenburg, Sweden was the host city for the second edition of Eurovision Choir in 2019. SVT was the host broadcaster for the contest on its debut in the competition. Zero8 opened the contest performing “Khorumi” and “Hej, dunkom så länge vi levom” but were not among the top three.
Eurovision Dance Contest
TV4 was the broadcaster which organised Sweden’s participation in the Eurovision Dance Contest. The broadcaster took part in both editions of the contest:
- 2007 – Cecilia Ehrling and Martin Lidberg – 14th – 23 points
- 2008 – Danny Saucedo and Jeanette Carlsson – 12th – 38 points
Eurovision Young Dancers
Sweden participated fifteen times in Eurovision Young Dancers and is the only country to have participated in every edition of the competition. In 1993, SVT hosted the contest in Stockholm.
- 1985 – Mia Stagh and Göran Svalberg – 3rd
- 1987 – Johannes Öhman
- 1989 – Marie Lindqvist
- 1991 – Kim Saveus
- 1993 (Host) – Ludde Hagberg
- 1995 – Nadja Sellrup – 2nd
- 1997 – Tim Matiakis – 3rd
- 1999 – Nathalie Nordquist – 2nd
- 2001 – Johan Thelander and Elizaveta Penkova
- 2003 – Kristina Oom and Sebastian Michanek – 1st in the Contemporary Category – 907 points
- 2005 – Danielle Rosengren
- 2011 – Louise Lind
- 2013 – Stephanie Liekola Isla
- 2015 – Agnes Klapp
- 2017 – Christoffer Collins
Eurovision Young Musicians
Sweden made their debut in Eurovision Young Musicians in 1986 and took their only victory to date in 2006. To date, Sweden has only missed three editions of the contest.
- 1986 – Peter Jablonski (Piano) – Did not qualify for the final
- 1988 – Henrik Peterson (Violin) – Did not qualify for the final
- 1990 – Federik Fors (Clarinet) – Did not qualify for the final
- 1992 – Participant unknown – Did not qualify for the final
- 1994 – Malin Broman (Violin) – 3rd
- 1998 – David Sjögren (Violin)
- 2000 – David Gammelgård (Cello) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2002 – Jacob Korányi (Cello) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2004 – Andrej Power (Violin) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2006 – Andreas Brantelid (Cello) – 1st
- 2008 – Maria Verbaite (Piano) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2010 – Mattias Hanskov Palm (Double bass) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2014 – Albin Uusijärvi (Viola)
- 2016 – Eliot Nordqvist (Piano)
- 2018 – Johanna Ander Ljung (Harp) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2020 – Tekla Nilsson – Contest cancelled due to COVID-19
- 2022 – Lukas Fink (Trombone)
- 2024 – Hugo Svedberg (Cello) – 2nd
- 2026 – Edward Ahlbeck Glader (Piano)
Despite not participating SVT still aired the 1984 contest and the 2000 contest from Bergen, Norway.
Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Sweden took part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest from 2003 to 2014, only missing out on the 2008 edition of the competition. Swedish participation was organised by SVT from 2003 to 2005 and from 2010 to 2014, while the other entries were managed by TV4.
- 2003 – The Honeypies – “Stoppa mig” – 15th – 12 points
- 2004 – Limelights – “Varför jag?” – 15th – 8 points
- 2005 – M+ – “Gränslös kärlek” – 15th – 22 points
- 2006 – Molly Sandén – “Det finaste någon kan få” – 3rd – 116 points
- 2007 – Frida Sandén – “Nu eller aldrig” – 8th – 83 points
- 2009 – Mimmi Sandén – “Du” – 6th – 68 points
- 2010 – Josefine Ridell – “Allt jag vill ha” – 11th – 48 points
- 2011 – Erik Rapp – “Faller” – 9th – 57 points
- 2012 – Lova Sönnerbo – “Mitt mod” – 6th – 70 points
- 2013 – Eliias – “Det är dit vi ska” – 9th – 46 points
- 2014 – Julia Kedhammar – “Du är inte ensam” – 13th – 28 points
TV4 of Sweden has bid to host the 2008 contest but were not selected, they withdrew from the 2008 contest due to lower viewer interest. The broadcaster again bid for the 2009 contest, but withdrew its bid during 2007.
Other Programs
The following shows were also broadcast in Sweden:
- Songs of Europe – 1981
- Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest – 2005
- Eurovision Song Contest’s Greatest Hits – 2015
- Eurovision Europe Shine a Light – 2020
Sweden & Other European Broadcasting Union Competitions
Let the Peoples Sing
The contest was first held in 1961 by the BBC as an annual choral contest for choirs in the United Kingdom, since 1966 it has been a choral competition for choirs across Europe. Since the late 1970s, the European Broadcasting Union has organised the event with choirs allowed to compete from across the globe.
Sweden’s history in the contest is:
- 1966 – Orphei Drängar – Overall Winner
- 1967 – Orphei Drängar – Overall Winner
- 1969 – Mariakören Västerås – Overall Winner
- 1982 – Stockholm Motet Choir – Overall Winner
- 1986 – Gösta Ohlin Vocal Ensemble – Overall Winner
- 2009 – Sveriges Radio aired the contest without a Swedish participant
- 2011 – The Swedish Chamber Choir – Adult Category Winner & Overall Winner
- 2011 – Adolf Fredrik’s Girls’ Choir – Children’s / Youth Category Finalist
- 2015 – Sofia Vokalensemble – Adult Category Finalist
- 2024 – Hägersten A Cappella – Adult Category Winner
During the history of the Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision family of events over fifty countries have competed, but there are more countries eligible or interested in participating. Find out more here.
Image source: EBU / Sarah Louise Bennett