RTP has confirmed that a total of 43 countries will participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal.

This afternoon the Portuguese national broadcaster has confirmed that 43 countries will take to the stage of the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. This means that next years contest in Lisbon, will be the largest ever contest alongside 2008 and 2011. RTP has not revealed which countries will be participating, to date Moldova, Russia and FYR Macedonia have yet to formally confirm whether they are participating.

The reveal of the new details regarding this years contest came during this afternoon’s broadcast of A Voz do Cidadão. During the broadcast it was re-iterated that the broadcaster is aiming for the cheapest contest in recent years and hopes not to affect any of the broadcasters other programming in 2018 as a result of the expense.

Carla Bugalho the Deputy Executive Producer of next years contest also confirmed details regarding the postcards. The filming of the postcards will take place across Portugal in partnership with Turismo Portugal, this is a return to the postcards seen in 2015 where each participant was seen doing a different activity in Austria.

Mr Reis, Director General of RTP, confirmed earlier this week that the contest will be used as an important opportunity to showcase contemporary Portugal to the world, and will “convey the image of a contemporary Portugal, a Portugal open to the world, a culture of inclusion, a culture of tolerance, a positive culture”. The contest will be “a mobilising project for all creative industries”, both for Lisbon and for Portugal as a whole, and will allow the country to continue to build its image on an international stage.

2018 will mark Portugal’s 50th appearance at the Eurovision Song Contest, and will be their first time hosting the event. They earned the right to host the contest following Salvador Sobral’s victory at the 2017 contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. His song, “Amar Pelos Dois”, earned a convincing win in May, scoring 758 points.

Source: ESC Portugal