Which country has won Eurovision the most times?
Two countries are tied at the top, and one of them has not won since 1996.
The short answer
Ireland and Sweden are tied for the most Eurovision wins, with seven victories each.
Ireland and Sweden are tied on seven wins each. They arrived there very differently: Ireland won six of its seven between 1980 and 1996, then stopped. Sweden has won across five different decades and is still winning.
Every country with more than one win
| Country | Wins | First | Most recent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 7 | 1970 | 1996 |
| Sweden | 7 | 1974 | 2023 |
| France | 5 | 1958 | 1977 |
| Luxembourg | 5 | 1961 | 1983 |
| United Kingdom | 5 | 1967 | 1997 |
| Netherlands | 5 | 1957 | 2019 |
| Israel | 4 | 1978 | 2018 |
| Italy | 3 | 1964 | 2021 |
| Norway | 3 | 1985 | 2009 |
| Denmark | 3 | 1963 | 2013 |
| Ukraine | 3 | 2004 | 2022 |
Why Ireland stopped
Ireland's run was so dominant that it became a genuine problem for RTÉ. Hosting is paid for by the winning broadcaster, and winning four times in five years between 1992 and 1996 cost a national broadcaster far more than it could comfortably absorb. The joke that Ireland started sending weaker entries on purpose has never been substantiated — but the wins stopped, and they have not resumed.
Sweden's method
Sweden treats selection as infrastructure. Melodifestivalen runs for six weeks, draws audiences a general election would envy, and functions as a national songwriting industry rather than a talent search. Sweden's seventh win, Loreen's "Tattoo" in 2023, also made her the first woman to win twice.
Bulgaria's 2026 win with Dara's "Bangaranga" was its first, which is why the 2027 contest is being staged in Bulgaria for the first time.
FAQ
Has any country won Eurovision three times in a row?
Yes. Ireland won in 1992, 1993 and 1994 — the only country ever to win three consecutive contests.
Which country has competed the most times without winning?
Cyprus and Malta have both competed for decades without a win. Portugal held the record for the longest wait before finally winning in 2017, 53 years after its debut.
