Eurovision 2015: Rehearsal and Press Conference Schedule revealed to public.
A total of 40 countries will compete at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest. 33 countries will compete in the Semi-finals (16 in Semi-final 1 on 19 May and 17 in Semifinal 2 on 21 May). A total of 27 countries will compete in the grand finale on 23 May ( BIG 5 countries, Australia, host Austria +20 countries qualifying from the semi-finals).
Rehearsals will begin on Monday 11 May with the first 9 countries taking the stage in Vienna. The 33 Semi-final competing countries will have their first rehearsal (closed to the press) on 11, 12, 13 and 14 May, followed by a Meet & Greet with the accredited press and fans. On Friday 15 May and Saturday 16 May the 33 Semi-final countries will have their 2nd rehearsal followed by a press conference.
The BIG 5 (United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany and Italy) , Australia, Austria will have their first rehearsal on Sunday 17 May followed by a Meet & Greet with the accredited press and fans. Whilst the 2nd rehearsals and press conferences for the BIG 5, Australia and Austria are scheduled to be held on Wednesday 15 May.
The 2015 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 19, 21 and 23 May at the Wiener Stadhalle in Vienna.