The grand and beloved Eurovision national selection for event in Europe, Melodifestivalen 2025, will hold its grand finale next Saturday, March 8, after five heats and a “Save Round.” The winner will represent Sweden in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025, which will take place on May 13 in Basel, Switzerland. The competition leading to the selection of the Swedish representative for Eurovision showcases stunning talents each year, providing musical performances on European stages and increasing curiosity and anticipation for the main finale.

In parallel, Sweden is well-established in first place in the betting odds, even opening with a significant gap, currently standing at a 19% chance of winning. Who are the contenders threatening to win for Sweden for the eighth time? What are the chances of each? Is a Swedish victory anticipated this year? The tension and competitiveness are at their peak as promising candidates bring their talents to the grand event. All the exciting details will follow in the article.

Meet the Leading Contenders in “Melodifestivalen 2025”:

Måns Zelmerlöw represented Sweden in Eurovision 2015 and made history by bringing the country its sixth victory in the competition with the song “Heroes,” a performance that was particularly memorable. Previously, he participated twice more in Melodifestivalen—in 2007, where he came third with “Cara Mia,” and in 2009, where he placed fourth with “Hope & Glory.” Alongside his participations in the national selection, he also had the honor of hosting it in 2010 and 2021. Since then, he has hosted Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm, appeared in various Eurovisions thereafter, and participated in different performances dedicated to the Eurovision contest. The significant increase in Sweden’s chances of winning Eurovision 2025 is due to the unveiling of the song “Revolution” by Måns, which will compete this week in the grand finale of the Swedish national selection.

In the betting odds for Melodifestivalen 2025, the singer is currently in first place with a 57% chance of winning! Watch the performance:

The band KAJ, consisting of Kevin Holmström, Jakob Norrgård, and Axel Åhman, will perform the song “Bara bada bastu” (English: “Just Sauna”) in the Swedish national selection finale. The band, completely anonymous, became a household name in Sweden overnight. The song deals with the Swedish sauna experience, describing the enjoyment and relaxation of bathing in a sauna and releasing stress while being exposed to heat and steam, using words like “stress break” and “100 degrees” to emphasize the intensity and excitement of the activity. This is a particularly catchy and humorous song, which received unwavering support from Käärijä, who even filmed a special video with the band members.

In the betting odds for Melodifestivalen 2025, the band is currently in second place with a 20% chance of winning. Watch the performance:

Kristofer Niklas Greczula, known by his stage name Greczula, was born on February 27, 1992, in Sweden. In his youth, he formed the youth band “Damn Delicious” with his classmates. After the band disbanded, he was a member of the rock band “The Felix” until 2015. In 2017, he began releasing music under his own name, and in 2022, he released his first album, “Live and Let Live.” That same year, he also participated in the prestigious Swedish festival “Allsång på Skansen.” In 2024, he switched to the stage name Greczula. Although the singer is known in Sweden, this is the first time he is participating in Melodifestivalen. The song with which he will compete in the final, “Believe Me,” deals with insights on the importance of appreciation and love for things and people before they disappear, with an emphasis on the loneliness at life’s peaks and the beauty inherent in them from afar.

In the betting odds for Melodifestivalen 2025, the singer is currently in third place with a 8% chance of winning. Watch the performance:

Klara Hammarström will be her fourth participation in the popular national selection, after participating in it in 2020, 2021, and 2022. In 2020, she tried to represent Sweden with the song “Nobody” but did not qualify for the national selection final. The following year, she returned with the song “Beat of Broken Hearts” and after passing the second chance round, finished in sixth place in the final. In 2022, she achieved the same result when she competed with the song “Run to the Hills,” although this time she advanced directly from the semi-final to the grand final. The song with which she will compete in the final, “On and On and On,” deals with hope and perseverance in the search for love, with an emphasis on dealing with emotional pain and holding deep beliefs as a way to feel alive.

In the betting odds for Melodifestivalen 2025, the singer is currently in fourth place with a 5% chance of winning. Watch the performance:

Scarlet, a Swedish metal duo established in 2018, is known for its heavy rock style, which combines elements of pop with modern metal. The duo added a special color to the Melodifestivalen competition in 2024, when they performed with the song “Circus X”. This unique metal duo, consisting of two women, is characterized by heavy skull makeup and maintaining an anonymous identity. Although the duo did not succeed in directly qualifying for the final, it reached the “last chance” stage, where it ranked fourth. The song with which the duo will compete in the final, “Sweet N’ Psycho”, deals with power dynamics and the expression of individuality at a lively private party, using metaphors of combat and competition, and emphasizes the resistance to rules and the enjoyment of being unpredictable and “psycho.”

In the betting odds for Melodifestivalen 2025, the duo is currently in fifth place with a 3% chance of winning. Watch the performance:

The anonymous singer, Meira Omar, captured the hearts of the Swedish audience with the song “Hush Hush”. Although the song did not directly qualify for the final, but only through the “Save Round,” it reached the first place in the list of the 50 most viral songs on Spotify Sweden, an achievement that even surprised Omar herself. In addition, the song received no less than 215,000 views on YouTube within just five days!

Omar’s performance in the first heat did not go smoothly. At the beginning of the song, one of the cameramen fell, which caused many problems in filming her performance. It is entirely possible that this is one of the reasons for the high viewership of this performance, due to the curiosity of the Swedes in particular and Eurovision fans in general, to see what kind of malfunction was involved (which is uncharacteristic of Sweden, it should be noted).

It is clear that Meira brought her Afghan roots to the song and the performance, and together with catchy lyrics, the singer performed a traditional dance along with the dancers and brought a musical style reminiscent of oriental sounds, sounding authentic to the Swedish ear. The song deals with intense passion and a call for emotional and physical closeness, with a demand for surrender and intimacy between the characters involved in the song, with a repetition of the words “Hush hush” which emphasizes the need for quiet and discretion.

In the betting odds for Melodifestivalen 2025, the singer is currently in sixth place with a 2% chance of winning. Watch the performance:

Why is Sweden at the Top of the Betting in Eurovision?

Sweden has already proven itself to be one of the unstoppable forces in Eurovision, boasting seven victories in the history of the competition. It is recognized as a country that successfully blends veteran and new talents, consistently offering music that resonates with the hearts and souls of fans and judges alike. The top spot in the betting odds didn’t come overnight; it is built on a tradition of creativity and innovation in popular music.

Sweden excels in integrating its rich musical culture with a profound understanding of what works on the European stage. This success stems not only from the ability to produce hits but also from strong official and public support in the music industry. Melodifestivalen is not just a musical event; it’s a national celebration that attracts a wide audience from around the world every year. This event allows new talents to focus and develop under supportive eyes and prove themselves before moving on to the international arena.

Moreover, Sweden’s ability to refresh and present quality candidates annually who reach the highest levels in Eurovision demonstrates musical sophistication and tactical understanding of what is required to win the competition. It’s not just a combination of talent and beauty but also a smart musical strategy that ensures Sweden stays at the top of the betting odds and at the heart of the European audience.

Sweden – A History of Success

Sweden, with a rich and successful heritage in the Eurovision contest, has achieved seven impressive victories since its participation. Its first victory came in 1974 with the song “Waterloo,” performed by ABBA. This victory catapulted ABBA to global fame, making them one of the best-selling pop groups of all time. In the 1980s, Sweden clinched the top spot again in 1984 with “Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley” performed by the Herreys, and in 1991, Carola brought Sweden its third victory with “Fångad av en stormvind” (translated as: “Captured by a Stormwind”).

The 1990s brought two more impressive third-place finishes, and in 1999, Charlotte Nilsson won Eurovision with “Take Me to Your Heaven,” granting Sweden its fourth victory. In the 2000s, the best outcome for Sweden was fifth place, achieved four times. After a drought in results between 2005 and 2009, where Sweden did not place higher than 18th, 2010 was a low point with Anna Bergendahl‘s failure to reach the final.

Since then, Sweden has seen tremendous success, finishing in the top ten in all editions except two, including a fifth victory in 2012 with “Euphoria” performed by Loreen and a sixth victory in 2015 with “Heroes” by Måns Zelmerlöw. In Eurovision 2023, Loreen did the unbelievable with the song “Tattoo,” breaking two Eurovision records – she became the first woman and the second person in history to win the competition twice, and she matched the record for most wins for a country previously held by Ireland – 7 victories. These achievements reinforce Sweden’s status as one of the great powers in the Eurovision contest, with the ability to bring multiple victories and significantly influence global pop culture.

Is a Swedish Victory in Eurovision Predicted in Advance?

Sweden, with a rich history of victories in Eurovision, continues to demonstrate that it is a powerhouse in the competition. With seven victories in history, it is proven that the musical tradition and strong support for local artists help it continue to display exceptional capabilities on the European stage. The betting odds for victory illustrate the widespread confidence in Swedish talent to bring another winner to the competition.

Sweden not only maintains its position as a leader in the betting odds for winning Eurovision 2025 but also shows that Melodifestivalen, the leading event for selecting the Swedish representative for Eurovision, continues to be a wellspring of innovation and new ideas. Every year, singers and bands bring refreshing ideas that capture the European audience’s attention and ensure Sweden’s status as a musical powerhouse on the Eurovision stage.

While the future is unpredictable, Sweden appears ready to continue its tradition of success in Eurovision. With a proven ability to reach the peaks and win the competition, each upcoming performance is considered with seriousness. With global talent and a commitment to quality, Sweden may add an eighth victory to its Eurovision achievements list.

Melodifestivalen 2025 – All the details

Full List of Cities and Dates for Melodifestivalen 2025

• Semi-Final 1: February 1, Coop Norrbotten Arena, Luleå
• Semi-Final 2: February 8, Scandinavium, Gothenburg
• Semi-Final 3: February 15, ABB Arena, Västerås
• Semi-Final 4: February 22, Malmö Arena, Malmö
• Semi-Final 5 & Second Chance Round: March 1, Husqvarna Garden, Jönköping
• Grand Final: March 8, Friends Arena, Stockholm

Song Submission and Selection

The song submission window for Melodifestivalen 2025 opened on August 23 and closed on September 13. According to official information from SVT, a record 2,794 songs were submitted. Out of these, 30 songs were selected to compete in the contest, with one ultimately chosen to represent Sweden at Eurovision 2025, to be held in Basel, Switzerland.