There's so much excitement around as people gear up for the glittering Eurovision final in Liverpool, but many people will be left wondering why certain countries are allowed to compete, and why some are banned.
You don't have to be a geography fan or a genius to realise that Israel and Australia are not located in Europe, but they are still allowed to compete, which is rather baffling to some.
If you are also puzzled as to why certain countries aren't participating this year, it's because the participation fee has risen since one country was banned from the glitzy competition.
Australia hasn't been participating in Eurovision for very long - less than ten years in fact.
Australia first competed in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015 when it was held in Vienna, Austria. They were allowed to compete to mark the show's 60th anniversary, and it was supposed to be a one-off occasion - but they've been participating every year since.
The reason the country has continued to enter the competition is down to TV rights, as Australia's host TV broadcaster SBS is part of the European Broadcasting Union - and that's a qualification requirement for entering the Eurovision Song Contest.
Similarly, the reason Israel are allowed to compete since 1973 is because the Israel Broadcasting Authority is a member of the Eurovision governing body.
The fact that Eurovision starts at 2am in Australia doesn't deter Aussies from watching, however, and they make a big deal of it, much like Brits stay up late to watch the Superbowl.
Russia also used to be permitted to enter the competiton, but they've now been banned since the country invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Organisers explained the expulsion by saying that the event should stand for "the basic and ultimate values of democracy."
Other countries that will also be absent this year are Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria, as they have claimed they cannot afford to pay the registration fees.
The entrance fee has increased this year due to Russia's ban from the competition.
The sizeable contribution the country previously made has created a hole in the budget, leading to increased fees for the remaining participants, pricing some of them out of the competition.
What are you most looking forward to on Eurovision this year? Let us know in the comments.
